Hout Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here with a look at what’s cookin’ in Hout Bay. The water’s runnin’ a bit colder than usual for this time of year—about 57°, so a couple degrees off the norm, so bring a thicker suit.

Friday afternoon we get started. A 6ft swell from the WNW with a decent offshore breeze, so the waves are clean. The energy is moderate (819), but the period is short (8 seconds), so it won’t have that deep push. It’s rideable, but not the main event.

Saturday is tiny. We get a long period groundswell from the SW, 2ft to 3ft, with cross-offshore winds. It’ll be clean but real small. A longboard might be your only bet.

Sunday sees a little bump. Morning brings 2ft from the SW at 13 seconds, clean with a light breeze. Afternoon goes to 4ft from the WSW but the period drops to 9 seconds. Still clean, still light winds. Just okay.

Now, Monday morning (July 6) is where we get a standout. Glassy conditions, a 8ft swell from the WSW, 12-second period. Energy jumps to a strong 1452. This is the first real good window—smooth, clean surf. It’s borderline for beginners at this size; more of an intermediate to expert wave.

Tuesday and Wednesday get bigger but messier. Swells hold from 6ft to 8ft out of the SW, but the wind goes onshore or cross-onshore. Energy gets very strong (up to 2941 Wednesday morning), but it’s gonna be choppy. Wednesday afternoon is a write-off with a fresh breeze and poor conditions. This setup might be better for kite surfing than paddling.

There’s a long gap in quality from Wednesday afternoon through the end of the first week. Thursday and Friday (July 10) keep onshore winds. Even though Friday has a solid 7ft swell with a 15-second period, the wind ruins it.

Saturday morning (July 11) is another gem. Glassy again, 7ft from the SSW, 13-second period, strong energy at 1537. That’s clean, powerful surf. Best of that weekend if you get out early.

Sunday (July 12) cleans up with offshore winds, but the swell drops to 3ft. Clean, but small.

Monday (July 13) gets blown out by strong winds (28 mph). The swell is tiny, so it’s a total loss.

A massive swell arrives on Wednesday (July 15). We’re talking 12ft to 10ft from the SW with a 14-second period. The energy is extreme (3977 to 4060). With offshore and glassy winds on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday (July 16) morning, this is expert territory only. Over 8ft and very powerful. These two days are the absolute best of the whole outlook. Excellent, heavy, clean groundswell for experienced surfers.

Friday (July 17) holds at 8ft with offshore wind in the morning—still for experts only. The afternoon gets a rain shower and cross-off wind.

Saturday (July 18) starts glassy again with 6ft from the WSW. A nice finish, but the afternoon goes cross-onshore and choppy.

So, the real standouts: Monday morning (July 6) for a clean, solid 8ft session, and Wednesday through Thursday (July 15-16) for the big, glassy groundswell that only the experienced crew should even think about. Expect some company at Hout Bay—crowds can pop up sometimes.

Rusty.

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