Hout Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here with the long-range look at Hout Bay.

We’ve got a proper South-Westerly groundswell run shaping up, but the first few days are a bit of a write-off. From July 30th through to Friday August 1st, the conditions are just too marginal to get excited about – lumpy, onshore breezes and not enough grunt. You’re better off waiting.

Things start to turn around on Saturday morning August 1st. It’s glassy, with a clean 4ft SW swell rolling in at 14 seconds. The combined energy is moderate (585), and with dead calm wind, you’ll find some clean little runners at the breakwater. It won’t be epic, but it’s a start.

Sunday August 2nd is looking nice. Clear skies, light offshore NNW wind, and a building 4ft to 5ft SW swell. Wave energy steps up a notch (602 by the afternoon). The water is sitting at 57°, which is about 3° cooler than average for this time of year, so a decent 4/3 wetsuit is the call. The break is inconsistent, but when a set rolls through on that clean cross-off wind, it’ll be worth the wait.

The standout of the first week is Monday August 3rd. This is the one to circle. A clean 6ft to 7ft SW groundswell, glassy conditions all day, and wave energy jumps into the strong range (1426 to 1440). The breakwater will be handling it beautifully with that long 13 to 14 second period. The quality is there. Tuesday August 4th remains clean and fun with solid 5ft to 6ft leftovers.

Then the big South-Westerly kicks in. By Wednesday August 5th, the swell jumps to 12ft with a 15 second period. Combined energy explodes to 5324. This is expert territory. The wind goes offshore from the NNW, 15 mph, and the afternoon session is described as excellent for experienced surfers. Thursday August 6th is the absolute peak – a glassy 13ft SW swell with a 15 second period and a staggering 7477 combined energy. That is a serious, powerful groundswell. Best left to the guys on step-ups. Friday August 7th holds solid at 10ft with clean offshore wind.

The second week gets messy. Saturday August 8th sees cross-shore wind and rain, then Sunday August 9th is a full gale from the SE, 40 mph, blowing out an 18ft S swell. Unsurfable. Monday August 10th morning is still lumpy from that, but the afternoon cleans right up to glassy perfection with an 12ft S swell.

Another big window arrives from August 12th onwards. Wednesday morning August 12th has a fresh offshore NW wind and 10ft SW swell. The real gem in the second week, though, is Thursday August 13th. A massive 12ft SW groundswell with a very long 16 second period, moderate offshore NNW wind at 12 mph, and combined energy of 6690. That is a world-class line-up at Hout Bay breakwater for the experienced crew. Friday August 14th keeps the quality with 13ft SW and more clean conditions.

The best on offer: It’s a tie between Monday August 3rd for the crowd wanting a more manageable size with glassy perfection, and Thursday August 13th for the experienced surfer wanting a real, powerful, long-period SW groundswell with offshore wind. August 6th is the biggest and cleanest, but that 13ft is a beast.

Keep an eye on that breakwater – when the SW fills in with that offshore wind, it’s a thing of beauty.

Rusty.

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