Hout Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, it’s Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s cooking at Hout Bay. We’re in for a bit of a rough patch to start, with no real surf to speak of for the first few days. The water is currently sitting at 57°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year – so you’ll want a thick wetsuit.

The first few days are a write-off. A stiff SSE wind, mostly onshore, is messing with a moderate groundswell from the WSW. The wave energy is up there – around 812 to 2597 - but the wind just kills it. It’s not worth paddling out.

We get a little glimmer on Thursday the 27th. The wind swings around to a light NNW, going cross-off in the morning before turning fully offshore from the NW by the afternoon. That open to a clean, 1.3m S swell (773 to 624 wave energy). It’s small and only a 3-star break when it’s inconsistent, but if you’re a beginner wanting some clean practice, the afternoon session is your best bet for a long time.

Friday is a non-starter with the wind back on it. But Saturday the 29th looks decent. A light NNW offshore in the morning and a W cross-off in the arvo, with a 1 to 1.4m WSW groundswell rolling in at 13-15 seconds. The wave energy is mild (644 to 936), but the clean conditions will make it feel better. It’s inconsistent, but for a small-wave cruiser, that’s the pick of this week.

Now, brace yourselves. The start of the second week gets interesting. Tuesday the 1st of September is the standout before the big stuff hits. A clean, 2 to 2.4m SW groundswell (14-second period, moderate 1414 to 2221 wave energy), with a cross-off wind in the morning and a solid offshore from the NNW in the afternoon. This is the best of the run – not massive, but clean and punchy. Crowds are sometimes around here, but you won’t mind with waves like that.

Then Thursday the 3rd of September brings the biggest swell of the window – but it’s a tricky one. A 5.0m SSW swell at a super-long 16 seconds rolls in, with a massive 18585 wave energy. The wind is a light cross-shore in the morning, then a light WNW cross-off by afternoon. This is expert territory, well over 8 feet, and that long period will be bowling straight at the beach break unless you hit the point. The afternoon of the 3rd is cleaner and slightly smaller at 4.0m, with a very long 15-second period and 9791 wave energy. Even with that, it’s only for the experienced crew.

Friday the 4th stays big at 3.5m SSW, with a moderate NNW offshore all day keeping it clean. Wave energy is still strong (over 5800). It stays expert level, but it’s more manageable than Thursday.

After that, the wind swings back to a strong SSE and it all blows out from the 5th through to the end of the forecast. The final week offers nothing rideable – onshore wind and dropping energy.

So to wrap it up: If you’re a beginner, wait for the small, clean windows on Thursday the 27th or Saturday the 29th. For the experienced, Tuesday the 1st of September is your best all-around call for size and quality. The big stuff on the 3rd and 4th is a serious mission, only for the brave.

Stay wet, stay keen.
Rusty

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