Surf Forecasts:
Hout Bay surf forecast from 5 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 7 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 14s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 20s period, SW swell with 3,370 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 7 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 14s 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 (Sep 07) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 7s. 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 2.1m 20s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sun 6th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 20s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Hout Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let’s have a look at what’s in store for us here. For the most part, we’re looking at a long, slow start before the ocean really wakes up. The first few days are a write-off, to be honest, with the wind and swell all over the place, so there’s a gap right at the beginning where you’d be better off staying on the beach.
The first real glimmer of something decent comes on Monday, 7 September morning at Hout Bay (breakwater). We’ve got a clean 7ft SW groundswell (14 seconds) rolling in with a light, cross-offshore northerly breeze. The water’s currently sitting at 57°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year. The combined energy is moderate (1504), but the wind is the key here – it’ll be lining up nicely for a few waves. It’s a sheltered spot, and while it’s inconsistent, mornings like this can be a real treat.
The standout window, and the one to circle on the calendar, is Tuesday, 15 September. The morning kicks off with a clean 10ft SW groundswell (12 seconds) and a moderate offshore NNW wind, which is a solid combo for experienced surfers. The combined energy is strong (2297). But the real magic is that afternoon: an 12ft SW groundswell (14 seconds) with a light offshore NNW wind, giving us clean, powerful waves. The energy is very strong (4479). This is expert territory at 12ft, but it’s the best on offer by a long shot. The Wednesday, 16 September morning is also a cracker, with a glassy 10ft WSW groundswell (13 seconds) and maxed-out energy (3068). That’s a real session to look forward to.
The Monday, 14 September morning is worth a mention too – a glassy 6ft SW groundswell (13 seconds) for a more relaxed session, but it’s not quite the standout. The Sunday, 13 September morning shows a promising 6ft SW groundswell (13 seconds) with a moderate offshore NNW wind, good for experienced surfers, but the energy is lower (2004).
After the 15th and 16th, things get a bit messy again. The end of the second week sees a drop in quality, with onshore winds and big, lumpy conditions. The swell stays big, but the wind spoils it. It’s a classic case of pick your window carefully.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Mon afternoon, min 11°C on Sat morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SE on Sat night, calm by Mon night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 23°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue morning, fresh winds from the SSE by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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) | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SW 21 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 521 | 564 | 2460 | 3122 | 1978 | 1441 | 1471 | 1155 | 447 | 294 | 140 | 167 | 304 | 346 | 864 | 2626 | 2483 | 1623 | 923 | 1302 | 858 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 9:46AM1.03m | 10:28PM1.12m | 11:38AM1.11m | 00:03AM1.20m | 12:46PM1.27m | 1:06AM1.32m | 1:35PM1.43m | 1:53AM1.43m | 2:15PM1.56m | 2:33AM1.51m | 2:51PM1.65m | 3:10AM1.55m | 3:25PM1.69m | 3:44AM1.55m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:57PM0.59m | 5:14AM0.48m | 5:54PM0.50m | 6:31AM0.36m | 7:02PM0.35m | 7:23AM0.23m | 7:50PM0.20m | 8:04AM0.12m | 8:31PM0.09m | 8:41AM0.05m | 9:08PM0.01m | 9:15AM0.02m | 9:42PM-0.01m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | | | | |  |  | |  |  | | | |
 | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — |
 | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:32 | — | — | 6:34 | — | — | 6:34 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 |
Feels °C | 8 | 13 | 9 | 15 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 24 | 21 | 23 | 20 | 18 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 4 | 3 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SW 21 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 |
| kJ | 92 | 140 | 2460 | 3122 | 1978 | 1441 | 1471 | 1155 | 447 | 294 | 117 | 151 | 304 | 346 | 864 | 2626 | 2483 | 1623 | 867 | 500 | 239 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | SW 10 | SSE 8 | S 12 | SSE 8 | SSE 6 | SE 9 | S 12 | S 11 | WSW 12 | SW 14 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SW 20 | — | — | — | SW 11 | — | SW 14 |
| kJ | 67 | 38 | 23 | 202 | 3 | 76 | 15 | 52 | 347 | 188 | 140 | 167 | 15 | 10 | 16 | — | — | — | 33 | — | 203 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 25 | SW 12 | — | — | — | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SW 18 | SW 16 | S 10 | SSE 9 | W 11 | S 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 19 |
| kJ | — | 162 | 39 | — | — | — | 18 | 17 | 12 | 41 | 71 | 28 | 21 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 131 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 3 | S 4 | S 4 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 |
| kJ | 521 | 564 | 583 | 492 | 202 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 9 | 24 | 86 | 111 | 164 | 289 | 923 | 1302 | 858 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 14 | 14 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 55 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 14 | 327 | 109 | 14 |
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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