
Surf Forecasts:
Horse Trails surf forecast from 6 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 6 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 17s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 12 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, SW swell with 3,502 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 6 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 17s 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 Sunday (Sep 06) at 2PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 9s. 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 2.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 2PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Horse Trails over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, surfers, Rusty here. Let's dial into the stretch ahead for Horse Trails. We’ve got a big, long-period groundswell rolling in, and the key is picking the moments when the wind plays nice. The water is sitting at a very unusual 55°, a full three degrees Fahrenheit colder than normal, so you’ll be wanting the thickest wetsuit you own, and probably a hood.
The real standout action kicks off Sunday, September 6th. We’ve got a hefty 7ft SW groundswell with a super-long 18-second period pushing in – that's a lot of energy (3066). The morning sees a clean, cross-off ESE breeze at 9 mph, setting up some proper, powerful lines. That swell drops slightly to 6ft in the afternoon but the period stays long at 16 seconds, and with a light SE breeze, it’ll be clean enough for experienced surfers to get stuck into. This is your window.
Monday the 7th is an absolute gem for the early crew. The swell holds at a solid 7ft from the SW, 14-second period, but the wind goes dead calm. Glassy, zero wind, just you and the ocean. It’s an intermediate wave at that size, so you don’t have to be a charger, but you’ll want your wits about you. This is the pick of the whole run.
After Monday afternoon, things get messy for a while. The wind swings onshore and the quality drops right off through the middle of the week. We see a pulse of bigger swell around Thursday the 10th with 8ft waves, but that fresh SSE wind at 19 mph will have it chopped to bits. Not worth paddling out for.
The next real window opens up on Saturday the 12th. Another shot of clean swell arrives – 7ft from the SW with a 14-second period and light, cross-off SE winds. The energy is high (2216) and the surface will be clean. Keep an eye on it; it’s a promising morning.
After that, the onshore wind returns, and the week that follows is mostly a write-off for quality surfing until we get another pulse of big swell. Tuesday, September 15th, and Wednesday the 16th see the swell pumping at 10ft, but that size is way too big for this spot for anyone except absolute experts, and the wind is mostly cross or onshore, making it a lumpy mess. At that size and condition, you’d honestly be better off looking at a kite.
We do get one last shot at glory on Monday, September 21st. The swell is a fun 6ft from the SW, 13-second period, and the morning is glassy again. No wind. If the long-range models hold, it’s a late-cycle treat. The energy is solid (1382) and it will be clean.
The bottom line: Sunday the 6th and Monday the 7th are your best bets right now. That glassy Monday morning is the one I’d be circling on the calendar. Bring the warmest rubber you’ve got.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Mon afternoon, min 14°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | |||||||||||||||
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 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 12 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SSE 8 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
2946 | 1852 | 1547 | 1493 | 1155 | 454 | 294 | 140 | 172 | 342 | 295 | 1137 | 3246 | 3114 | 2109 | 1226 | 830 | 558 | 1736 | 3502 | 2527 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross |
High Tide | 11:37AM1.12m | 00:03AM1.20m | 12:46PM1.27m | 1:05AM1.32m | 1:34PM1.43m | 1:53AM1.44m | 2:15PM1.57m | 2:33AM1.51m | 2:51PM1.66m | 3:10AM1.55m | 3:25PM1.70m | 3:44AM1.55m | 3:58PM1.68m | 4:17AM1.52m | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:54PM0.50m | 6:31AM0.35m | 7:02PM0.34m | 7:23AM0.22m | 7:50PM0.20m | 8:04AM0.12m | 8:31PM0.08m | 8:41AM0.05m | 9:08PM0.01m | 9:15AM0.02m | 9:42PM-0.01m | 9:48AM0.03m | 10:15PM0.01m | ||||||||
6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | |
— | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:32 | — | — | 6:34 | — | — | 6:34 | — | — | 6:35 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 19 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 26 | 22 | 26 | 25 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 13 | 19 | 21 | 15 |
Feels °C | 16 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 20 | 26 | 23 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 9 | 18 | 19 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 12 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | S 8 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 14 |
2946 | 1852 | 1547 | 1493 | 1155 | 454 | 294 | 117 | 172 | 342 | 295 | 1137 | 3246 | 3114 | 2109 | 1226 | 830 | 316 | 1736 | 3502 | 2527 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SE 7 | — | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | WSW 12 | WSW 14 | W 11 | W 11 | SW 16 | — | SW 15 | SW 13 | — | SSW 11 | WSW 12 | SSE 7 | — | — |
120 | 77 | 56 | 11 | — | 303 | 156 | 140 | 140 | 21 | 9 | 65 | — | 104 | 88 | — | 101 | 508 | 44 | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | SW 18 | WSW 16 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | — | WSW 20 | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 10 | SSW 18 | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 13 | 26 | 49 | 27 | 8 | — | 38 | — | — | — | — | — | 68 | 436 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 3 | S 3 | S 4 | S 5 | S 6 | S 6 | S 8 | S 8 | S 7 | SSE 8 | — | SSE 7 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 6 | 18 | 71 | 112 | 273 | 852 | 451 | 491 | 558 | — | 121 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 41 | 41 | 2 | 15 | 400 | 219 | 2 | 401 | 2 | 0 | 120 | 2 |
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.










