Surf Forecasts:
Horse Trails surf forecast from 23 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 23 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 17s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 17s period, SW swell with 8,596 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 23 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 11s 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 Thursday (Jul 23) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 20s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Horse Trails in the next 16 days are 4.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 25) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Horse Trails over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let's get into it.
First up, we’ve got Horse Trails. This spot is blowing up with a ton of energy but it's a bit of a tricky one. Water temp is sitting about 57°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll be wanting a decent steamer.
The real action kicks off Thursday afternoon, July 23rd. The wind goes glassy, a total dream, with a solid 7 ft swell from the SW at 11 seconds. The combined energy is a punchy 1586 (moderate to strong). This is the standout session for the first week – clean, glassy conditions for experienced surfers.
Friday morning, July 24th, is another glassy morning, but the swell jumps to 12 ft from the SW, period 14 seconds. The energy is massive at 4362 (strong). That’s expert territory only – way too big for most. Saturday morning, July 25th, drops back to a more manageable 7 ft from the SW, with a clean cross-off wind. A solid option.
Sunday morning, July 26th, is glassy again with a 7 ft SW swell, a nice one for a few waves. The following week sees a lot of onshore and cross winds, and the swell gets too big for the spot on a few days, with strong energy readings. For instance, Monday afternoon, July 27th, is a complete write-off with 28 mph winds and a massive 12 ft swell.
There is a gap of a few days from the end of July into the start of August with smaller, less energetic swells, before it gets interesting again. The real standout in the second week is a distant, promising one. Look at Tuesday, August 4th. The morning has a 6 ft swell from the SW, but the period is a very long 17 seconds, with energy at 3511. That’s groundswell, and it will be lined up. The afternoon goes to 10 ft at 16 seconds, energy 5271. That’s very big, expert only. Then Wednesday, August 5th, goes even bigger with 13 ft swells and energy hitting 9718. That is a massive, powerful swell. These late dates are promising but less certain, so keep an eye on the forecast.
In short, the best bet is Thursday afternoon, July 23rd, for clean, glassy waves. The second week has some huge, expert-level groundswell on the cards if you can handle it.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Sun afternoon, strong winds from the SSE by Mon afternoon). | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | ||||||||||||||
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 11 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1107 | 8075 | 4362 | 3536 | 2158 | 1429 | 1789 | 1539 | 1004 | 1007 | 732 | 1169 | 4944 | 5693 | 2424 | 2171 | 1429 | 1083 | 996 | 803 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off |
High Tide | 11:05PM1.08m | 12:11PM1.02m | 00:19AM1.11m | 1:10PM1.09m | 1:14AM1.17m | 1:53PM1.18m | 1:56AM1.25m | 2:29PM1.27m | 2:33AM1.32m | 3:02PM1.36m | 3:06AM1.38m | 3:33PM1.43m | 3:38AM1.41m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:48PM0.64m | 5:57AM0.53m | 6:16PM0.61m | 6:58AM0.46m | 7:16PM0.54m | 7:43AM0.38m | 7:59PM0.45m | 8:20AM0.30m | 8:36PM0.38m | 8:52AM0.23m | 9:09PM0.31m | 9:22AM0.17m | 9:40PM0.25m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — |
 | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — |
mm | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 13 | 10 | 9 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 15 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 18 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 1107 | 8075 | 4362 | 3536 | 2158 | 1429 | 1789 | 1539 | 1004 | 1007 | 732 | 1169 | 996 | 5693 | 2424 | 2171 | 1429 | 1083 | 996 | 803 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 20 | — | — | — | — | SSW 13 | — | — | SW 15 | SW 15 | WSW 11 | SW 15 | — | — | — | — | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 |
| kJ | 537 | — | — | — | — | 499 | — | — | 181 | 171 | 290 | 927 | — | — | — | — | 92 | 45 | 36 | 35 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 11 | SW 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 34 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 132 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | S 3 | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 5 | S 5 | SSW 14 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | 72 | 71 | 4944 | 766 | 310 | 232 | 173 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 93 | 57 | 324 | 188 | 164 | 164 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 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.
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