Surf Forecasts:
Hout Bay surf forecast from 2 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 7 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 6 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, WSW swell with 4,762 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 3 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 13s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Hout Bay this week:
The surf forecast for Hout Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 03) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 16s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Hout Bay in the next 16 days are 3.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 06) 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 1.3m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Mon 3rd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Fri 7th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Thu 6th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Hout Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let's look at what's shaking for Hout Bay.
Okay, so this Hout Bay breakwater is a sheltered little number, so the decent windows are a bit spread out. The water temp is about 56°F, which feels a bit colder than average for now.
We start things off Sunday afternoon, August 2nd. It’s only showing 4ft from the SW with a 12-second period, and the wind is a light cross-off from the NNW. The combined energy is a moderate 565. Not huge, but clean enough for a fun, glassy session if you’re on something with volume. It’s inconsistent, so be patient, but it’s a nice intro.
Monday morning the 3rd is the real gem of the first week. The swell bumps to 5ft from the SW, the period stretches to 13 seconds, and we’ve got glass conditions from the ENE. The energy is up to 865. This is as pure as it gets for the bay. If you’re paddling out, that Monday morning is the one.
Things get messy from Monday afternoon through Tuesday as the wind turns onshore. But hold on, because Wednesday the 5th through Saturday the 8th is when winter kicks in. Wednesday afternoon brings 8ft from the WSW with a 15-second period and a clean offshore wind from the NW – energy is a chunky 2948. That’s excellent for experienced surfers.
Thursday morning the 6th is glassy again with 10ft from the WSW, energy at 3390. Friday morning the 7th is the same: glass, 10ft from the SW, energy at 3397. Friday afternoon stays clean with a cross-off. Saturday morning the 8th has a moderate offshore from the NW with 8ft from the SW, energy at 2094. This whole stretch has proper power, but that long period means bigger lulls and bigger sets at the breakwater. For the experienced crew, this is a proper winter run.
Sunday the 9th through Monday the 10th looks like a washout with strong onshore winds and rain.
Now, Tuesday the 11th of August is the big one. The morning sees a monster 16ft SW swell with a 13-second period, light cross-off wind, and a combined energy of 12839. That is exceptional for experts only. The afternoon is even bigger at 18ft from the SSW, period 14 seconds, offshore wind, and an energy reading of 14272. This is “too big for the breakwater” territory. Respect it.
We settle down for Wednesday the 12th and Thursday the 13th with 10ft to 5ft from the S and SSE, clean and offshore. Very surfable for experienced folks, with a long period.
Friday the 14th and Saturday the 15th are a hard pass with strong onshore winds and messy conditions.
The tail end on Sunday the 16th offers a small, clean finish with 5ft from the WSW, a 13-second period and offshore wind. The energy is 953. A decent little session to close it out.
Overall, the clear standout is Monday morning the 3rd for that clean, glassy vibe at a manageable size. For the big-wave crew, the 11th of August is the date to eye, but that is a beast for the deep end only.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Wed morning). Winds increasing (calm on Sun night, fresh winds from the N by Wed afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Wed night. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Fri morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the N on Wed night, calm by Fri morning). | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | ||||||||||||||
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 13 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 15 | SW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 673 | 629 | 499 | 542 | 382 | 293 | 255 | 2035 | 2957 | 4762 | 3728 | 2800 | 3777 | 3835 | 3838 | 3404 | 1819 | 2984 | 3533 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:48AM1.34m | 6:08PM1.47m | 6:27AM1.27m | 6:48PM1.41m | 7:15AM1.18m | 7:38PM1.32m | 8:19AM1.10m | 8:48PM1.23m | 9:50AM1.05m | 10:22PM1.20m | 11:32AM1.09m | 11:55PM1.25m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:47PM0.22m | 11:48AM0.21m | 00:24AM0.26m | 12:25PM0.29m | 1:09AM0.32m | 1:10PM0.38m | 2:07AM0.39m | 2:12PM0.48m | 3:28AM0.45m | 3:46PM0.55m | 5:10AM0.43m | 5:36PM0.51m | |||||||
 |  | | | |  | | | |  |  | | | | |  |  | |  | |
 | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — |
 | 6:07 | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 |
Temp °C | 19 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
Feels °C | 18 | 16 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 673 | 629 | 499 | 542 | 382 | 293 | 170 | 2035 | 2957 | 4762 | 3728 | 2800 | 3777 | 3835 | 3838 | 3404 | 1819 | 2984 | 3533 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 16 | WSW 14 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | W 11 | SW 15 | W 9 | W 9 | — | SW 19 | SW 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 16 |
| kJ | 25 | 236 | 324 | 109 | 24 | 82 | 255 | 58 | 25 | — | 130 | 588 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 21 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 16 | SE 12 | SE 12 | ESE 11 | SW 18 | SW 16 | W 10 | ESE 10 | W 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 25 | 38 | 35 | 12 | 12 | 40 | 73 | 10 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SSE 3 | — | — | — | WNW 9 | WNW 5 | NNW 5 | — | — | SE 4 | — | — | — | WSW 4 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 106 | 68 | 44 | — | — | 10 | — | — | — | 10 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 68 | 234 | 191 | 3 | 15 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Town | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Hout Bay Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Hout Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Hout Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Hout Bay 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 (Hout Bay) 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 Hout Bay 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.
Are you planning a holiday in Cape Town? If you are looking for accommodation near Hout Bay, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Cape Town, consider staying in Cape Town which is 16 km (10 miles) away. Other places in and around Cape Town where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Robben Island which is 27 km (17 miles) away, Bellville, Kayamnandi and Stellenbosch.
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