
Surf Forecasts:
Horse Trails surf forecast from 4 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 5 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 8 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 5,021 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 5 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s 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 Wednesday (Aug 05) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 14s period. 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 3.5m 14s 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 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Wed 5th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Wed 5th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sat 8th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 14s |
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 in store for Horse Trails.
The first solid swell we see rolls in on Thursday the 6th of August, but it’s a big one. We’ve got a 12ft groundswell out of the WSW with a 13-second period. The wind is light and offshore that morning, which is a dream, but honestly, that wave height is too much for this break. The combined energy is massive at 3611 (moderate to strong), and this is strictly for the experts only. If you’re a beginner, stay well clear. The water temp is about average for this time of year.
Friday the 7th mirrors that energy – another 10ft to 12ft SW groundswell, again with a period around 14 seconds and light winds. It’s clean, but for the same reason, it’s too big for most of us. The combined energy hits 4370 (very strong) on Friday afternoon. This is raw power, and it’s going to be a handful.
The standout window comes next week. Tuesday the 11th of August sees a drop in size to a more manageable 6ft from the SSW, and the wind goes glassy offshore from the ENE. The swell period is 12 seconds, so it’s got some push. The combined energy is 955 (moderate) – this is good, solid, clean surf. Conditions are looking very good for an intermediate surfer.
But my pick of the entire forecast is Wednesday the 12th of August. That morning, we get a 5ft SW groundswell with a very long 18-second period. The wind is offshore from the ENE, and it’s glassy. The combined energy sits at 1425 (moderate). That long period is going to wrap in nicely at this sandbar, giving you beautiful, lined-up waves. It’s not too big and it’s clean. This is excellent for experienced surfers, and it’s the best on offer.
Thursday the 13th is also a good shout. Another clean, offshore morning with 7ft of WSW swell at 16 seconds. The energy is 1904 (moderate to strong). It’s a little bigger, but still in the sweet spot for a confident intermediate or expert.
Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th have smaller, cleaner options with 5ft to 5ft swells and glassy or offshore winds, but the energy is lower (around 625 – moderate). Worth a look if you want a more relaxed session.
After that, we get a mixed bag. Monday the 17th picks up again with 7ft, but the wind is cross or onshore, which will mess up the face. The second week is a bit of a lottery, with some moderate energy but sketchy winds. Wednesday the 19th of August looks like a write-off with strong cross winds and rain.
So, to sum it up: the big stuff early on is for the hardcore crew only. The real sweet spot is the morning of Wednesday the 12th of August – that’s your standout. Tuesday the 11th and Thursday the 13th are also fantastic. Get on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue night, min 11°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Wed afternoon, calm by Wed night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat night, min 9°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the S on Fri night, strong winds from the SSE by Sun afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | ||||||||||||||
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 15 | SW 16 | SW 15 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
301 | 1904 | 2233 | 4623 | 3611 | 3177 | 3267 | 3835 | 4370 | 3606 | 2126 | 3293 | 4626 | 3575 | 3548 | 1008 | 993 | 913 | 653 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 7:15AM1.19m | 7:38PM1.32m | 8:20AM1.10m | 8:48PM1.23m | 9:52AM1.05m | 10:22PM1.20m | 11:32AM1.10m | 11:55PM1.25m | 12:48PM1.23m | 1:05AM1.35m | 1:45PM1.37m | 2:00AM1.45m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:09AM0.31m | 1:11PM0.39m | 2:07AM0.39m | 2:13PM0.48m | 3:28AM0.44m | 3:47PM0.55m | 5:09AM0.43m | 5:37PM0.51m | 6:32AM0.33m | 6:57PM0.39m | 7:32AM0.21m | 7:55PM0.25m | |||||||
— | 7:35 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | |
6:07 | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:12 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 8 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 15 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 11 |
Feels °C | 15 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 10 | SW 16 | SW 15 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | — | — | SW 11 | S 10 | SW 10 | SSW 13 |
144 | 1904 | 2233 | 4623 | 3611 | 3177 | 3267 | 3835 | 4370 | 3606 | 2126 | 3293 | 4626 | — | — | 1008 | 753 | 281 | 653 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | W 9 | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 11 | SSW 13 | S 9 |
301 | 60 | 25 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 515 | 131 | 320 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | — | W 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 10 |
98 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 173 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNW 4 | NW 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 12 | SSW 12 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | — |
— | 31 | 84 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3575 | 3548 | 748 | 993 | 913 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 18 | 81 | 233 | 31 | 2 | 128 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 2 | 2 | 31 | 57 | 419 | 2808 | 164 | 1274 | 2808 | 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.











