Hout Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks, let’s break down the next 16 days for Hout Bay. This is a bit of a slow burner, but there’s some serious firepower waiting for us in the second week if you’re patient.

The first few days are pretty flat and ordinary. We’ve got a bit of a lull through Sunday the 12th and Monday the 13th, with only small, weak swell around 2.6 ft to 4.6 ft from the SSW. The water sits at 58.8°, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing weird there. The energy is low, reading between 227 and 733 (moderate wave energy), and the conditions are just "meh" – a bit of cross-on breeze and glassy moments but nothing to get excited about. Tuesday the 14th stays small and clean, but the waves are still very ordinary.

Then, Wednesday the 15th, things start to wake up. We get a jump in size to 4.6 ft from the SW, but the real story is the period. That’s a 16-second groundswell, pushing the combined energy up to 1281 (strong to very strong wave energy). The morning looks clean with a light cross-off breeze, but the afternoon gets a bit messy with a cross-on wind and the swell jumping to 9.8 ft – that’s getting big, and with the wind turning, it’s not the best window.

Now, Thursday the 16th is where you want to be. This is the standout for the first week. The morning offers 8.2 ft of SW swell at 13 seconds, with offshore wind. That’s excellent surf for experienced surfers, with a combined energy of 2135 (strong to very strong wave energy). The break is a sheltered breakwater, so that long-period groundswell will wrap in nicely and hold its shape. The afternoon stays solid at 7.5 ft, though it goes cross-off, so the morning is the pick.

Friday the 17th is a write-off. Strong onshore wind from the SE at 15 mph ruin the 7.2 ft swell. Poor conditions. Don’t even bother.

Saturday the 18th bounces back beautifully. Glassy conditions all day, with a 6.6 ft SSW swell in the morning (14-second period, 1707 energy) and 5.9 ft SW in the afternoon (13 seconds, 1165 energy). This is a very good session, clean and punchy. The breakwater will be working well.

Sunday the 19th and Monday the 20th are smaller, with 3.3 ft to 6.6 ft swell, but the wind is either offshore or glassy, so it’s clean and fun. Nothing massive, but good for a paddle.

Tuesday the 21st is a bit of a tease. The morning is blown out again with strong onshore wind, but the afternoon shows a massive 11.5 ft SSW swell at 18 seconds. The energy reading is 6832 (very strong wave energy), but the wind is onshore, making it messy. Don’t get too excited yet.

Now, the second week gets serious. If you’re an experienced surfer, mark your calendar for Wednesday the 22nd. The morning is glassy with a 11.5 ft SSW swell at 15 seconds (5300 energy). That’s a very long-period groundswell, and with the wind dead calm, the breakwater is going to be absolutely firing. The afternoon picks up a moderate offshore wind from the NNW, keeping it clean. This is a big-time session.

Thursday the 23rd is still big, but the wind picks up to 18-22 mph from the NNW, making it a bit cross-off and choppy. The swell is still 7.2 ft to 7.5 ft, but the conditions are marginal.

Friday the 24th is the true standout of the entire forecast. The afternoon is the magic window. You’re looking at 11.5 ft of SW swell at a 17-second period, with a gentle offshore wind from the NW. The combined energy is a massive 5970 (very strong wave energy). This is excellent surf for experts. The breakwater will handle that long period beautifully, offering deep, hollow waves.

Saturday the 25th keeps the size big at 11.5 ft, with the afternoon again offering offshore wind. The energy reading hits 6180, and the scores are high. The morning is a bit wind-affected, but the afternoon is another gem.

Sunday the 26th is a monster day. The afternoon brings 13.1 ft of SW swell at 15 seconds, with a gentle offshore wind. The energy is 7380, the highest of the whole run. This is for experts only. The morning is still big but with a cross-off wind, so the afternoon is the pick.

Monday the 27th winds down slightly, with a glassy morning and 11.5 ft of SW swell. Still a solid, clean session, but the afternoon gets a bit crossed up.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a slow build, with Thursday the 16th being the best early option. But the second week, from Wednesday the 22nd through to Sunday the 26th, is where the magic happens. The big standouts are Friday the 24th afternoon and Sunday the 26th afternoon. Those are the sessions you wait for. Just remember, when the swell is over 8.2

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