Horse Trails Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.78° S 18.45° E

Horse Trails Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 18 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Horse Trails sea temperature is
12.6° C
2.9° 

Horse Trails surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Horse Trails surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 22 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 13s period, SW swell with 5,746 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period with SW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Horse Trails this week:

The surf forecast for Horse Trails over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 13s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Horse Trails in the next 16 days are 4.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 8AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Tue 18th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 13s
Best Surf 8PM (Tue 18th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 13s
Most Powerful 8PM (Sat 22nd Aug)13ft (4.0m) 13s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Horse Trails over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s get into it. We’ve got a solid two-week stretch here, but it’s a mixed bag – plenty of size, but you’ll need to pick your moments. The water is sitting at 55°, and that’s a solid 5° colder than what’s normal for this time of year, so you’ll be wanting a thick wetsuit. Early on, it’s a bit rough, but there are a couple of windows that could be magic if you know what you’re doing.

The first surf we’re looking at is on Tuesday, August 18th at Horse Trails. It’s a sandbar, fairly exposed to the swell, and they’re seeing a 8ft swell from the WSW with a 12-second period. That’s a decent groundswell, but the wind is a cross-shore from the S at 9 mph, so it’s got a bit of a cross-chop. The combined energy is moderate, at 2413. It’s not the cleanest, and it’s a marginal day. It stays similar through Wednesday, with the swell around 8ft and the wind swinging cross-on, making it choppier.

Now, Thursday, August 20th is where things get serious. The swell jumps to 10ft from the SW, with a 13-second period. That’s a lot of water – combined energy is 3031 in the morning, which is strong. The wind is cross-shore from the S at 9 mph, so it’s not totally blown out, but at this size, Horse Trails is going to be big, powerful, and only for very experienced surfers. It’s too big for beginners and likely only for the experts. The afternoon sees the wind pick up to 12 mph from the SSE, adding more chop.

We get a drop on Friday, August 21st, with the swell back to 7ft and a cross-on wind, but it’s not looking clean. Saturday, August 22nd, brings rain showers and a messy 7ft swell, with a cross-on wind from the WNW at 12 mph – poor conditions, not worth it.

Here’s the standout. Sunday, August 23rd early morning: the swell is 10ft from the SW, 12-second period, combined energy of 2402 (strong). The wind is a light cross-shore from the S at 6 mph, keeping it relatively clean. Again, this is expert territory. But it’s the best looking morning of this first week.

We get a drop in size again on Monday, August 24th, with 5ft from the WSW, but the wind is light and cross-shore, so it’s small and a bit weak.

Now, looking ahead to Tuesday, August 25th – this is a real highlight, but it’s still a week out so keep an eye on it. The morning has an 8ft swell from the SW, but the period jumps to 14 seconds – that’s a long-period groundswell, and the wind is a light cross-offshore from the SE at 6 mph. Combined energy is 2741 (strong), and the conditions are described as clean. This is excellent for experienced surfers. The afternoon stays similar but with a cross-shore wind.

Wednesday, August 26th afternoon is worth a mention too. The swell drops to 6ft from the WSW, but the wind goes glassy – 3 mph from the WSW, and the water will be like glass. Combined energy is moderate at 1061. That’s a rare, clean window if you can get out.

The end of the month and into September shows more big swell. Sunday, August 30th has an 12ft swell from the SW, with glassy winds in the morning and afternoon – combined energy of 4529 (very strong). That’s huge, clean, and for experts only. Monday, August 31st morning has a 8ft swell from the SW, clean conditions with a cross-offshore wind, and combined energy of 1693 – another solid session for the experienced crew. The afternoon goes completely glassy with a 7ft swell – that’s a sweet spot.

The very last day, Wednesday, September 2nd, shows an 12ft swell from the WSW, with offshore winds from the NE at 12 mph. That’s big and clean, but again, for the big wave chargers only.

Overall, the best bet for a clean, rideable wave without being a monster is probably the Tuesday, August 25th morning session – that 8ft, 14-second groundswell with light cross-offshore wind is a proper standout. The Monday, August 31st afternoon with the glassy 7ft swell is another cracker. The rest of the time, it’s either too big, too windy, or too small. Crowds at Horse Trails are sometimes an issue, so on those good windows, expect company.

Keep it on the radar, and don’t be a hero on the 10ft+ days unless you’ve got the skills.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
!
3
1
4
!
!
4
2
1
2
0
!
!
!
2
3
2
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.4
WSW
12
2.5
SW
13
3
SW
12
2.5
SW
12
2.4
SW
12
2.3
SW
12
3
SW
13
3
SW
13
2.3
SW
12
2
SW
11
1.8
SW
11
1.2
WSW
11
2.2
SW
10
4
SW
12
3.5
SW
13
3
SW
12
2.5
SW
11
2.3
SW
12
1.5
WSW
12
1.2
WSW
11
1.8
SW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1735
2345
2379
1866
1638
1591
3031
2497
1524
969
802
340
947
4657
4284
2402
1807
1372
559
370
1044
Wind (km/h)
15
S
15
SSE
5
SE
15
S
15
SSW
5
SE
15
S
20
SSE
10
SE
10
SSW
15
WSW
15
N
20
WNW
15
WSW
5
SE
10
S
15
S
10
SSE
10
S
20
SSE
15
SSE
Wind State
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-on
on
cross-off
cross-on
on
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
High Tide
6:48PM1.29m
7:12AM1.10m
7:29PM1.15m
8:07AM0.99m
8:32PM1.04m
9:49AM0.92m
10:25PM0.98m
11:54AM0.96m
00:06AM1.04m
12:58PM1.07m
1:01AM1.13m
1:36PM1.19m
1:40AM1.24m
Low Tide
12:30PM0.38m
1:08AM0.42m
1:06PM0.51m
1:55AM0.54m
1:57PM0.63m
3:19AM0.62m
3:53PM0.70m
5:32AM0.61m
6:08PM0.66m
6:46AM0.52m
7:07PM0.56m
7:27AM0.41m
7:45PM0.45m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:22
7:20
7:20
7:18
7:16
7:16
7:15
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:17
6:19
6:19
6:20
6:21
6:21
6:22
 mm
2
Temp °C
15
16
13
14
16
14
15
16
13
15
17
13
15
16
15
13
15
13
14
17
13
Feels °C
13
13
10
12
13
12
13
13
9
13
16
13
12
12
13
11
12
11
11
14
11
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Horse Trails Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Horse Trails provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Horse Trails can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Horse Trails surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Horse Trails) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).

Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Horse Trails may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.

Horse Trails is 8 km (5 miles) from the very large city of Robben Island. If you plan a holiday in Cape Town, look for hotels and other accommodation in Robben Island. Robben Island has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as cheap car hire and transport links.

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