Horse Trails Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.78° S 18.45° E

Horse Trails Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 15 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Horse Trails sea temperature is
13.2° C
2.3° 

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 15 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 16 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with 3,331 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 16 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 13s 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 Sunday (Aug 16) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 13s 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 3.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8AM (Sun 16th Aug)6ft (1.9m) 13s
Best Surf11PM (Sun 16th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 14s
Most Powerful 2AM (Mon 17th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the coming days.

We’ve got a solid run of SW groundswell heading our way, but honestly, for most of this first week the wind is going to mess with the quality. The standout window is going to be the morning of Friday the 21st, and the following Tuesday the 25th also looks like a beauty.

Right now, the water temp is running about average for this time of year, nothing to write home about.

For the first few days, starting Sunday the 16th, there’s big, powerful swell rolling in. We’re talking 6ft to 8ft of long-period SW groundswell, with 14-second intervals. The combined swell energy is strong, hitting 1384 on Sunday morning and ramping up. But the wind is a problem – it’s coming from the N or WSW, cross-off to on, so the surf is cleanish at best but mostly a bit messy. This is intermediate territory, and the size is pushing past what I’d recommend for beginners. The wave energy is strong (2082 on Sunday arvo), so there’s plenty of push, but it’s not pretty.

Monday the 17th and Tuesday the 18th keep that 8ft to 8ft swell going, period dropping to 12-13 seconds. The wind is cross or on, so forget about perfection. The energy stays high (over 2200), but the surface is chopped up. It’s a grind, not a glory day.

Wednesday the 19th into Thursday the 20th is more of the same: 8ft to 8ft SW swell, 12-second period, moderate energy (1457-2291). The wind is still cross, so conditions are only fair at best. Nothing to get excited about.

Now, here’s the first real highlight. Friday morning, 21st of August. The wind swings ENE at just 3 mph – glassy, no wind. The swell drops a touch to 7ft from the SW, with a 12-second period. The combined energy is still solid (1234), but the glassy conditions will make Horse Trails look fantastic. Clean, powerful lines. This is the morning to paddle out. The wind goes onshore in the arvo and it’s over.

Saturday the 22nd has a drop in swell to 4ft in the morning, but the wind is cross-off from the N, so it’s clean but small. Sunday the 23rd and Monday the 24th build back up to 8ft, with the period stretching to 15 seconds on Monday. That’s proper groundswell. But the wind is cross from the S or SSE, so it’s going to be lumpy and bumpy. The energy on Monday morning is very strong (3291), but it’s going to be a fight.

Tuesday the 25th of August is your second standout. Morning has light E wind at 3 mph – glassy again. Swell is 6ft from the SW with a 13-second period. Energy is moderate (1382). The conditions are pristine. The afternoon holds the glass, but it gets cloudy. Go early.

After that, the forecast gets bigger and rowdier. Wednesday the 26th sees 8ft swell with a 17-second period – that’s very long period, which means long lines but a serious paddle out. The wind is cross at 12 mph, so it’s a messy, powerful ocean. Energy is massive (3972). Not a session for the faint-hearted. Thursday the 27th is still big and messy.

Friday 28th of August – and this is a full week and a half out – the swell cranks up to 12ft from the WSW, 15-second period. The combined energy is enormous (5713). This is expert-only territory, and even then, the wind is moderate cross-shore. It’s going to be a beast of a day, and the forecast says it’s likely too big for this break. Watch from the sand.

The last few days of the month keep the swell pumping, with Sunday the 30th hitting 10ft in the arvo but with onshore wind, and Monday the 31st peaking at a massive 13ft with strong cross wind. That’s a serious ocean (6806 energy). Again, expert’s only, and not clean.

So overall: It’s a long, chunky stretch of SW swell. The best windows are short and sharp: Friday 21st morning and Tuesday 25th morning. Get in before the wind or the size shuts it down.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon morning, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
16
Monday
17
Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
3
!
3
3
3
2
2
!
3
3
2
3
2
4
3
0
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2
WSW
13
1.9
WSW
14
2.2
WSW
14
3
WSW
14
2.5
WSW
13
2.4
WSW
13
2.3
WSW
13
2.4
WSW
12
2.4
SW
13
3
SW
12
2.4
SW
12
2.3
SW
12
2.2
SW
12
2.3
SW
12
2.5
SW
13
2.5
SW
12
2.1
SW
12
2
SW
11
1.8
SW
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1444
1384
2082
3331
2528
2026
1783
1735
1975
2257
1638
1427
1291
1513
2283
1914
1234
952
716
Wind (km/h)
5
NNW
10
N
10
WNW
5
N
10
NW
10
W
10
S
15
S
20
S
10
SSE
10
S
15
S
10
SSE
10
SSE
20
S
10
SE
5
ENE
20
WSW
10
N
Wind State
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross
on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
glassy
on
cross-off
High Tide
5:22AM1.43m
5:39PM1.55m
5:57AM1.33m
6:13PM1.43m
6:32AM1.21m
6:48PM1.29m
7:12AM1.10m
7:29PM1.15m
8:07AM0.99m
8:32PM1.04m
9:49AM0.92m
10:25PM0.98m
Low Tide
11:22PM0.09m
11:24AM0.14m
11:57PM0.19m
11:57AM0.25m
00:31AM0.30m
12:30PM0.38m
1:08AM0.42m
1:06PM0.51m
1:55AM0.54m
1:57PM0.63m
3:19AM0.62m
3:53PM0.70m
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:24
7:22
7:22
7:20
7:20
7:18
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:15
6:16
6:16
6:17
6:19
6:19
6:20
 mm
Temp °C
15
15
16
15
17
17
16
15
16
13
14
17
14
15
17
14
17
18
13
Feels °C
13
12
13
14
16
15
17
12
12
9
12
15
12
12
13
11
16
15
12
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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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