
Surf Forecasts:
Horse Trails surf forecast from 8 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 8 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, SW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 8 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, SW swell with 4,144 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 8 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 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 Saturday (Aug 08) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m 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 3.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 08) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 15) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sat 8th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sat 8th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sat 8th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Horse Trails over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the table for Horse Trails over the next couple of weeks.
First up, the water is sitting at a chilly 56°, which is a whopping 4° colder than normal for this time of year. That’s a notable bite in the air, so you’ll want the thickest rubber you’ve got. The overall pattern is looking like a big pulse of energy rolls in after a rough start, giving us a solid window of quality surf mid-week, but then it fades back into mediocrity.
The immediate outlook is a bit of a write-off. Saturday afternoon (August 8th) is a no-go. The surf is a thumping 12 ft, and while the wind is light, the sheer power is just too much for this break. The combined energy is a massive 4499 (strong to very strong) – it’s just unsurfable here. By Sunday (August 9th), it’s a total mess with a strong southerly breeze making for awful, choppy conditions. You’d be better off staying home.
Monday (August 10th) is still marginal, with 8 ft to 8 ft swell and a moderate breeze, but the sets are still a bit on the big side. It’s clean, but the tide is going to be a factor.
The standout is undoubtedly Wednesday, August 12th. This is the pick of the forecast. We’ve got a solid 6 ft to 6 ft groundswell from the WSW, with a very long period of 18 seconds. That’s a ton of energy and shape, but it’s going to be powerful and clean. The wind is a gentle offshore from the ENE, promising glassy, peeling lines. The combined energy is a healthy 2093 (moderate). This is excellent surf for experienced surfers, but it’s a little too meaty for beginners. The morning session on Thursday (August 13th) is also a top call, with 8 ft swell and a clean offshore wind, though it’s pushing the upper limit of what’s fun.
For the rest of the first week, things taper off. Friday (14th) is still rideable but the wind starts to turn, and by the weekend it’s back to messy cross-shore chop. A real shame.
Looking into the second week, there’s a little glimmer on Saturday afternoon, August 15th. The wind goes glassy, and there’s a clean 6 ft swell from the WSW. It’s a promising session, but after that, the wind and surf get sloppy again. The energy drops off significantly after that, with the combined energy falling to 337 (weak) by Wednesday the 19th – a sign of a real lull. The final few days of the outlook are pretty poor, with fresh winds and lumpy seas.
So, to sum it up: don’t even bother with the first weekend. The absolute best window is Wednesday, August 12th, with Thursday morning also a great shout. After that, it’s a waiting game for a few cleaner days, but nothing with the same power.
Stay warm out there.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 10°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Sat afternoon, strong winds from the SSE by Sun afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Thu afternoon, min 15°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | WSW 21 | WSW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | WSW 18 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
4499 | 3759 | 3140 | 3338 | 1807 | 1244 | 1249 | 2119 | 1159 | 671 | 1512 | 1839 | 1974 | 2201 | 3417 | 2262 | 1327 | 1024 | 866 | 1043 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:55PM1.25m | 12:48PM1.23m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:37PM0.51m | 6:32AM0.33m | 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 | |||||||
— | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | |
6:10 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — | |
mm | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 27 | 17 |
Feels °C | 12 | 11 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | — | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | WSW 21 | WSW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | WSW 18 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 |
4499 | 3759 | 3140 | — | 1807 | 1244 | 204 | 2119 | 1159 | 671 | 1512 | 1839 | 1974 | 2201 | 3417 | 2262 | 1327 | 1024 | 866 | 1043 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | WSW 24 | S 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SW 21 | — | — | — | N 7 | NNW 7 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 99 | 42 | 224 | 286 | 187 | 116 | 1167 | — | — | — | 45 | 29 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 26 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 27 | 38 | 18 | 67 | 28 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SSW 12 | — | — | SSW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 7 | — | — | N 3 |
— | — | — | 3338 | — | — | 1249 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 18 | — | — | 4 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 41 | 2 | 341 | 1408 | 2 | 161 | 127 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 0 | 27 | 31 | 0 |
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.











