Surf Forecasts:
Horse Trails surf forecast from 9 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 9 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 12s period, SSW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 18s period, WSW swell with 3,832 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 9 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 12s period with SSW 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 Sunday (Aug 09) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 12s 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 2.5m 18s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Friday (Aug 14) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sun 9th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Sun 9th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Horse Trails over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s chew on what’s shaping up for Horse Trails.
The first couple of days are a bust. Sunday and Monday are blown out by strong cross-shore winds, lumpy, poor surf. Don’t bother. The water is running at 56°, which is a good couple degrees colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want a good thick wetsuit.
Tuesday the 11th is the first real chance. Clean 6ft SSW groundswell with a 12-second period, light east cross-off breeze. The energy is moderate at 1137. It’s clean and rideable for an intermediate.
Wednesday the 12th is a standout. Morning brings a 6ft SW swell with an 18-second period – that’s serious groundswell energy (2343). The wind is a clean offshore from the east. This is excellent surf for experienced crew; it’s pushing over 5ft, so beginners will struggle. The afternoon? Dead glassy with a 6ft WSW swell at 18 seconds (2247 energy). If you only surf one day this week, make it this one.
Thursday the 13th is another standout. We’ve got a 7ft WSW groundswell at 16 seconds, with a solid offshore breeze from the NE. The combined energy is strong at 3245 – that’s a lot of push. This is expert-only territory. The afternoon stays clean with a 6ft wave.
Friday through Sunday (14th-16th) are still good, with clean 6-6ft waves from the WSW and light winds. Good for intermediates.
Monday the 17th – big day. An 8ft WSW swell with a 13-second period (2323 energy) and glassy conditions in the morning. Strictly for the experts. The wind switches onshore in the afternoon, so hit it early.
After the 18th, the quality drops with onshore winds and smaller, lumpy surf. The 19th afternoon offers a clean 5ft swell at 15 seconds with a light cross-off, but by the end of the period it’s mostly marginal.
Best bets: Get on Wednesday the 12th for that glassy afternoon, and Thursday the 13th for the strongest, cleanest swell. Monday the 17th is for the big-wave crew only. Crowds are possible at Horse Trails, so expect some company.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSE on Sun afternoon, light winds from the ESE by Tue afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Thu afternoon, min 17°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | ||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | S 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 21 | SW 18 | WSW 18 | SW 16 | WSW 18 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 3609 | 2046 | 738 | 740 | 2088 | 1033 | 671 | 1850 | 2111 | 2138 | 2201 | 3832 | 3192 | 1982 | 1432 | 1393 | 1196 | 1344 | 1144 | 1028 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross |
High Tide | 1:05AM1.35m | 1:45PM1.37m | 2:00AM1.45m | 2:32PM1.51m | 2:47AM1.53m | 3:13PM1.62m | 3:29AM1.57m | 3:52PM1.68m | 4:09AM1.56m | 4:29PM1.69m | 4:46AM1.51m | 5:05PM1.64m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:57PM0.39m | 7:32AM0.21m | 7:55PM0.25m | 8:19AM0.10m | 8:44PM0.13m | 9:01AM0.02m | 9:27PM0.05m | 9:40AM-0.01m | 10:07PM0.02m | 10:16AM-0.00m | 10:45PM0.03m | 10:51AM0.05m | 11:22PM0.09m | |||||||
 |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  |  | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — |
 | 6:12 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 17 |
Feels °C | 4 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 19 | 17 | 20 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 21 | SW 18 | WSW 18 | SW 16 | WSW 18 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 |
| kJ | — | 2046 | 738 | 423 | 2088 | 1033 | 671 | 1850 | 2111 | 2138 | 2201 | 3832 | 3192 | 1982 | 1432 | 1393 | 1196 | 1344 | 1144 | 1028 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 18 | SSW 13 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | WSW 24 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SW 22 | — | — | — | NNW 6 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 6 | 336 | 76 | 21 | 381 | 350 | 166 | 90 | 671 | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | SW 26 | WSW 10 | SSE 9 | SE 8 | SSE 10 | SE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 27 | 38 | 161 | 32 | 54 | 31 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | — | S 9 | S 10 | — | — | SSE 8 | — | — | — | E 3 | — | — | — | NNW 4 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 3609 | — | 481 | 740 | — | — | 136 | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | 13 | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1407 | 164 | 188 | 127 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 6 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Town | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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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