Horse Trails Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.78° S 18.45° E

Horse Trails Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 09 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Horse Trails sea temperature is
13.5° C
1.9° 

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 9 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 9 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 12s period, SSW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 18s period, WSW swell with 3,832 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 9 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 12s period with SSW 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 Sunday (Aug 09) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 12s 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 2.5m 18s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Friday (Aug 14) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Sun 9th Aug)11ft (3.5m) 12s
Best Surf 8PM (Sun 9th Aug)11ft (3.5m) 12s
Most Powerful11AM (Thu 13th Aug)8ft (2.5m) 18s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s chew on what’s shaping up for Horse Trails.

The first couple of days are a bust. Sunday and Monday are blown out by strong cross-shore winds, lumpy, poor surf. Don’t bother. The water is running at 56°, which is a good couple degrees colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want a good thick wetsuit.

Tuesday the 11th is the first real chance. Clean 6ft SSW groundswell with a 12-second period, light east cross-off breeze. The energy is moderate at 1137. It’s clean and rideable for an intermediate.

Wednesday the 12th is a standout. Morning brings a 6ft SW swell with an 18-second period – that’s serious groundswell energy (2343). The wind is a clean offshore from the east. This is excellent surf for experienced crew; it’s pushing over 5ft, so beginners will struggle. The afternoon? Dead glassy with a 6ft WSW swell at 18 seconds (2247 energy). If you only surf one day this week, make it this one.

Thursday the 13th is another standout. We’ve got a 7ft WSW groundswell at 16 seconds, with a solid offshore breeze from the NE. The combined energy is strong at 3245 – that’s a lot of push. This is expert-only territory. The afternoon stays clean with a 6ft wave.

Friday through Sunday (14th-16th) are still good, with clean 6-6ft waves from the WSW and light winds. Good for intermediates.

Monday the 17th – big day. An 8ft WSW swell with a 13-second period (2323 energy) and glassy conditions in the morning. Strictly for the experts. The wind switches onshore in the afternoon, so hit it early.

After the 18th, the quality drops with onshore winds and smaller, lumpy surf. The 19th afternoon offers a clean 5ft swell at 15 seconds with a light cross-off, but by the end of the period it’s mostly marginal.

Best bets: Get on Wednesday the 12th for that glassy afternoon, and Thursday the 13th for the strongest, cleanest swell. Monday the 17th is for the big-wave crew only. Crowds are possible at Horse Trails, so expect some company.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSE on Sun afternoon, light winds from the ESE by Tue afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Thu afternoon, min 17°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light.

Sun
9
Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
!
1
2
4
3
2
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
4
3
4
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3.5
SSW
12
3
SW
11
1.8
SW
11
2
S
10
2.4
SSW
13
1.9
SSW
12
1.6
SSW
12
1.4
SW
21
1.8
SW
18
1.9
WSW
18
2.1
SW
16
2.5
WSW
18
2.3
WSW
17
2
WSW
16
1.8
WSW
15
1.8
WSW
14
1.8
WSW
14
1.9
WSW
14
1.8
WSW
13
1.7
WSW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
3609
2046
738
740
2088
1033
671
1850
2111
2138
2201
3832
3192
1982
1432
1393
1196
1344
1144
1028
Wind (km/h)
40
SSE
20
SSE
30
SSE
30
SE
15
ESE
15
E
10
SSE
15
E
15
ENE
10
SE
15
E
25
ENE
20
E
15
ENE
15
N
5
SW
5
NNE
10
N
5
WSW
5
NNW
Wind State
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross
High Tide
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
5:05PM1.64m
Low Tide
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
10:51AM0.05m
11:22PM0.09m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:30
7:28
7:28
7:26
7:26
7:24
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:12
6:12
6:13
6:14
6:14
6:15
6:15
 mm
Temp °C
14
12
13
14
12
12
16
16
16
22
22
23
25
23
23
25
20
20
22
17
Feels °C
4
4
6
7
7
8
13
13
12
19
17
18
19
19
19
22
19
17
20
16
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  • 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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