
Surf Forecasts:
Horse Trails surf forecast from 29 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 29 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 13s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 29 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 13s period, SW swell with 1,247 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 29 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 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 (Jul 29) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m 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 1.9m 13s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Wed 29th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Wed 29th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Wed 29th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Horse Trails over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at the surf prospects for the next couple of weeks.
We’ve got a solid run of surf coming up, starting this Wednesday morning. The early part of the window is where the real quality is, with clean conditions and a nice, consistent SW groundswell. The standout is Wednesday morning at Horse Trails. We’re looking at a 6ft SW swell with a 13-second period, bringing in good energy. The wind is light and offshore from the E, keeping the surface glassy. This is a sandbar break that’s fairly consistent and fairly exposed to the swell, so it should be handling this well. The water temp is about average for the time of year, so no surprises there.
Thursday morning remains a top pick. The swell drops slightly to 5ft from the SW, but the period stays at 13 seconds and the energy is still solid. A light ESE cross-offshore wind keeps it clean. Friday morning is a little smaller at 4ft, but still glassy with a light E breeze and a 12-second period. Saturday morning brings a real treat: glassy conditions with a 4ft SW swell from a 14-second period. That long period will make the waves a bit more powerful and lined up, though it might break a little straight at a sandbar, so pick your peak.
Sunday morning drops to 4ft, but with a clean N cross-offshore wind and a 13-second period, it’ll still be fun.
Now, we hit a bit of a lull in the middle of the following week, but don’t worry. The next real highlight comes on Monday, 5th August morning. The swell jumps to 12ft from the WSW with a 13-second period and massive energy. The wind is a clean N cross-offshore. However, at 12ft, this is only for the experts – it’s too big for most. The forecast says it’s too big for this break.
That big swell holds through the 7th and 8th, but the wind gets messy, with strong onshore and cross-shore winds making it poor for surfing. Kite surfers might be interested in the strong winds and big swell, but for a paddle surfer, it’s a no-go.
Then, on the morning of Sunday, 9th August, we get a day-saver. The swell drops to 8ft from the SSW, with a 12-second period and strong energy. The wind is absolutely dead calm, glassy. This is another one for the experienced crew, as 8ft is still a solid size. The afternoon of Monday, 10th August, is also a standout for experienced surfers: 8ft from the SSW, glassy conditions, and strong energy. The 11-second period is a bit shorter, but the glassy surface makes it a winner.
The window wraps up with a promising but less certain long-range call for the morning of Tuesday, 13th August. A 10ft SW swell with a 12-second period and very strong energy is forecast, with glassy conditions. That’s a big one, and again, only for experts if it holds.
Stay safe out there.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1067 | 1083 | 976 | 796 | 600 | 545 | 416 | 355 | 215 | 589 | 494 | 479 | 464 | 435 | 414 | 638 | 405 | 239 | 206 | 165 | 301 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-off | on | off | cross | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:33PM1.43m | 3:38AM1.41m | 4:03PM1.49m | 4:09AM1.43m | 4:33PM1.52m | 4:41AM1.42m | 5:03PM1.53m | 5:13AM1.39m | 5:34PM1.52m | 5:48AM1.34m | 6:08PM1.47m | 6:28AM1.27m | 6:48PM1.41m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:22AM0.17m | 9:40PM0.25m | 9:50AM0.13m | 10:11PM0.22m | 10:18AM0.12m | 10:42PM0.20m | 10:47AM0.13m | 11:13PM0.20m | 11:16AM0.16m | 11:47PM0.21m | 11:48AM0.21m | 00:24AM0.25m | 12:25PM0.29m | 1:09AM0.31m | |||||||
7:41 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | |
— | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 23 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 13 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 21 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | W 6 |
1067 | 1083 | 976 | 796 | 600 | 545 | 416 | 355 | 213 | 589 | 494 | 479 | 464 | 435 | 414 | 638 | 405 | 239 | 206 | 150 | 78 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | W 19 | WSW 18 | WSW 16 | SE 10 | SE 11 | SE 11 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 15 |
66 | 18 | 7 | 13 | 6 | 12 | 7 | 60 | 215 | 17 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 127 | 193 | 209 | 172 | 137 | 127 | 301 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 18 | WSW 18 | SSE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 15 | — | — | — | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 10 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | 60 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | 43 | — | — | — | 51 | 165 | 115 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SSE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 3 | NW 3 | NW 3 | NNW 4 | NW 5 | NNW 5 |
— | — | — | — | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 3 | 4 | 25 | 49 | 38 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 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.










