Horse Trails Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.78° S 18.45° E

Horse Trails Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 25 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Horse Trails sea temperature is
13.8°C
1.7° 

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 25 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 8,121 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 26 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 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 Wednesday (Aug 26) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 1.7m and 7s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Horse Trails in the next 16 days are 4.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) 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 0.4m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 2PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Wed 26th Aug)6ft (1.8m) 13s
Best Surf11AM (Tue 1st Sep)10ft (3.0m) 13s
Most Powerful 8PM (Tue 1st Sep)15ft (4.5m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, this is Rusty, and I’m looking at the next couple of weeks for Horse Trails. We’ve got a bit of a slow start with some onshore chop, but there’s a window of clean conditions and a proper pulse of groundswell on the way that’s worth getting excited about.

Right now, the water is running at 57°, which is a touch colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want a decent wetsuit.

The first real standout is Wednesday the 26th. The morning is looking clean with a light cross-offshore breeze, picking up a 4ft swell from the WSW with a 13-second period. The energy is moderate (851), but the conditions are set to be glassy and clean. The afternoon holds similar quality, with the energy bumping up a bit (1171). This is your best early window for a smooth, fun session.

Things get a bit messy from Thursday through the weekend with cross-onshore winds and smaller, less organised waves. The swell drops, and the conditions are marginal – not worth paddling out for.

But then we get to Monday the 31st – and this is a gem. The morning is glassy, with a 6ft SW swell at 11 seconds. The energy is moderate (943), but with absolutely no wind, the surface will be like a mirror. This is a great chance for some clean, user-friendly waves before the wind picks up in the afternoon.

After that, things get serious. On Tuesday the 1st of September, a big SW groundswell pushes through, hitting 10ft in the morning with a 13-second period and a cross-offshore breeze. The energy is strong (2782). The guidance says it’s too big for this break, but for experienced surfers, the morning session could be a standout. The swell builds to 13ft by the afternoon, and stays big through Wednesday the 2nd. The energy readings are massive (5528 and 4411). This is heavy, powerful water – only for the experts, and the cross-onshore wind on the afternoon of the 1st and Wednesday will chop it up.

Thursday the 3rd of September morning is another glassy moment, with a 10ft SW swell at 12 seconds – still big, but clean. The energy is very strong (2389). After that, the swell drops and the wind turns onshore, making for poor conditions through the end of the first week of September.

The second week sees a drop in size and quality. There’s a small chance for a clean session on Saturday the 5th of September afternoon with a light cross-offshore breeze and a 5ft swell from the SSE, but the period is short and the energy is low. Sunday the 6th has a tiny 2ft SW groundswell with a long 16-second period and offshore winds in the morning – clean, but tiny. The following days are mostly small, onshore, and not worth chasing.

So, to sum it up: your best bet is Wednesday the 26th for clean, fun waves, and Monday the 31st for a glassy morning session. The big swell early September is for the experienced crew only. The rest of the fortnight is a write-off.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 20°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Tue
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
3
3
3
2
2
1
2
2
3
1
2
2
3
2
2
3
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.1
WSW
14
1.7
WSW
13
1.3
WSW
13
1.3
WSW
12
1.3
SSW
11
1.4
SSW
11
1.4
SSW
11
1.2
SSW
11
0.8
WSW
16
1.2
WSW
14
1.2
WSW
13
1.3
WSW
13
1.4
WSW
14
2.3
WSW
14
2.4
WSW
13
2.3
SW
12
2.1
SW
12
1.8
SW
11
1.4
SW
11
1.4
SW
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1686
1045
578
525
446
471
455
363
280
553
454
586
778
2002
1857
1602
1180
799
447
467
Wind (km/h)
20
SSE
15
ESE
15
ESE
10
SE
5
N
10
WNW
5
WSW
5
SSE
5
SSW
10
S
5
SE
15
W
10
WNW
15
SSW
15
S
20
S
10
SSE
5
WSW
20
SW
10
NNW
Wind State
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
glassy
on
cross
High Tide
2:08PM1.31m
2:13AM1.33m
2:36PM1.42m
2:44AM1.41m
3:04PM1.52m
3:14AM1.47m
3:32PM1.59m
3:44AM1.50m
4:01PM1.63m
4:16AM1.50m
4:31PM1.63m
4:48AM1.47m
5:03PM1.59m
Low Tide
8:17PM0.34m
8:27AM0.21m
8:46PM0.24m
8:54AM0.14m
9:15PM0.16m
9:21AM0.09m
9:44PM0.10m
9:49AM0.07m
10:14PM0.07m
10:18AM0.07m
10:45PM0.07m
10:48AM0.11m
11:18PM0.11m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:11
7:11
7:09
7:09
7:07
7:05
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:22
6:22
6:23
6:24
6:24
6:25
6:27
 mm
3
Temp °C
19
17
18
24
22
19
19
16
19
20
16
15
16
14
14
15
13
13
13
12
Feels °C
15
14
16
23
22
16
17
16
18
19
14
13
14
12
10
10
8
11
10
9
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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