
Surf Forecasts:
Horse Trails surf forecast from 6 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 6 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 11s period, WSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 9 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 3,051 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 6 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 11s period with WSW 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 Monday (Jul 06) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.4m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Horse Trails in the next 16 days are 2.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 09) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 6s period and expected on Friday (Jul 10) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5PM (Mon 6th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 5PM (Mon 6th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Thu 9th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Horse Trails over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about Horse Trails.
We’ve got a solid run of surf on the way. The pattern is a good south-west groundswell, with the best conditions in the first few days. Water temp is 57°°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so don’t skip the rubber.
Monday, July 6th, starts clean: a 7ft swell from the WSW, 11-second period, with glassy ENE wind. Energy is strong at 1226. It’s a very good start. Tuesday morning, July 7th, is dialed in – 6ft of SW swell, 12-second period, glassy north wind. Clean and lined up. The absolute standout is Wednesday morning, July 8th. Totally calm, glassy, 7ft of SW swell with a very long 13-second period, energy jumping to 2307. It says “excellent for experienced surfers” because at this size it’s got serious power, but with no wind, it’s the best session of the run. The long period will make the waves fat and deep, so it’s a reef or point-style wave. Not for beginners.
Thursday, July 9th, gets bigger – up to 8ft to 10ft from the SSW – but the cross-shore wind at 12 mph and the cross-chop drop the quality. At that size, it’s really only for the pros, and the bump won’t help.
From Friday, July 10th, through the weekend, the swell settles to 5ft to 7ft, with clean offshore winds in the mornings. Friday and Saturday mornings (July 10-11) are good options for intermediates. The period holds around 12-13 seconds.
After that, the surf fades. Sunday, July 12th, has a morning session with 5ft of S swell and offshore east wind, but by afternoon it’s poor. Monday and Tuesday of the next week (July 13-14) drop to waist-high waves – 2ft to 4ft – but with glassy winds, you can still get a slide. The energy is weak (226-445).
Late in the second week, things perk up. Thursday, July 16th, brings back 6ft to 6ft of SW swell with a very long 14-second period, but the wind is cross to cross-on, so it’s only marginal. Saturday, July 18th, has a clean morning with 3ft from the west. Then Sunday, July 19th, jumps to 10ft from the WSW, but it’s onshore and way too big for the spot – just for the brave. The final highlight is Monday, July 20th: 7ft of WSW swell, clean ESE wind, 10-second period, energy at 1077. The wave comment says “very good” – that’s the second-week standout, but it’s long-range, so stay hopeful.
Best on offer? Wednesday morning, July 8th – glassy, powerful, long-period SW swell. That’s the one to mark.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 10°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mon 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 11 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 11 | SSW 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
724 | 1075 | 1065 | 1429 | 1942 | 1535 | 1305 | 2919 | 2647 | 1847 | 2386 | 2310 | 2138 | 1237 | 1369 | 1136 | 640 | 407 | 202 | 156 | 156 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross |
High Tide | 7:27PM1.34m | 7:53AM1.14m | 8:20PM1.31m | 9:01AM1.10m | 9:26PM1.29m | 10:21AM1.10m | 10:42PM1.29m | 11:40AM1.15m | 11:57PM1.34m | 12:49PM1.25m | 1:03AM1.41m | 1:48PM1.36m | 2:02AM1.49m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:48AM0.38m | 1:49PM0.41m | 2:50AM0.40m | 2:52PM0.47m | 4:03AM0.39m | 4:12PM0.49m | 5:22AM0.34m | 5:37PM0.45m | 6:34AM0.26m | 6:51PM0.37m | 7:34AM0.17m | 7:53PM0.26m | 8:26AM0.08m | ||||||||
— | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:48 | |
5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | 5:53 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 11 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | W 12 | S 11 | SSW 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 9 |
724 | 1075 | 1065 | 1429 | 1942 | 1535 | 1305 | 2919 | 2647 | 1847 | 2386 | 2310 | 2138 | 1237 | 1369 | 172 | 640 | 407 | 202 | 156 | 156 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | SW 20 | SW 17 | SW 16 | S 13 | — | — | — | W 14 | W 12 | S 8 | W 11 | SW 18 | W 12 | W 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | W 10 |
580 | 357 | 284 | 146 | 188 | 772 | 1039 | 3 | — | — | — | 16 | 47 | 212 | 84 | 12 | 172 | 114 | 119 | 117 | 68 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | — | SW 23 | SW 22 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 12 | W 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | W 11 | W 10 | SW 14 |
96 | — | 21 | 73 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 98 | 55 | 12 | 12 | 40 | 112 | 71 | 32 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 5 | SE 5 | — | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | S 12 | SE 7 | SSE 11 | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 90 | 53 | — | 220 | 297 | 242 | 1136 | 143 | 407 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 15 | 2 | 15 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 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.











