
Surf Forecasts:
Hout Bay surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 23 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 18s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 7,431 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 12s 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 Saturday (Jul 18) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Hout Bay in the next 16 days are 4.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Hout Bay over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat night, min 13°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | WSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 9 | SW 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 13 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
634 | 1010 | 1154 | 1128 | 515 | 281 | 318 | 1913 | 2454 | 1799 | 1319 | 1249 | 880 | 821 | 1108 | 7431 | 4422 | 3009 | 2679 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 6:37AM1.28m | 7:00PM1.42m | 7:22AM1.17m | 7:45PM1.31m | 8:14AM1.07m | 8:36PM1.19m | 9:21AM1.00m | 9:43PM1.11m | 10:48AM0.97m | 11:05PM1.08m | 12:11PM1.01m | 00:19AM1.11m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:39AM0.24m | 12:39PM0.27m | 1:24AM0.34m | 1:20PM0.39m | 2:14AM0.43m | 2:08PM0.51m | 3:14AM0.51m | 3:13PM0.60m | 4:34AM0.55m | 4:46PM0.64m | 5:57AM0.53m | 6:15PM0.61m | |||||||
— | 7:48 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | |
5:57 | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | |
mm | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 14 |
Feels °C | 13 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 9 | SW 8 | SW 12 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 13 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
634 | 769 | 1154 | 1128 | 515 | 281 | 207 | 1913 | 2454 | 1799 | 1319 | 1249 | 880 | 821 | 1108 | 7431 | 4422 | 3009 | 2679 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | SSW 16 | W 9 | W 9 | SE 11 | SSW 15 | ESE 11 | ESE 13 | S 11 | SW 20 | — | — | SSW 16 | — |
191 | 146 | 96 | 94 | 121 | 118 | 318 | 39 | 14 | 30 | 42 | 12 | 18 | 89 | 306 | — | — | 240 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SW 16 | SW 18 | SSW 7 | WSW 11 | W 9 | — | ESE 11 | SE 15 | — | SE 13 | SSE 8 | — | — | — | — |
100 | 55 | 32 | 17 | 10 | 80 | 68 | 12 | 14 | — | 11 | 8 | — | 7 | 6 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WSW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 3 | N 3 | — | — | — | — | SSE 4 |
— | 1010 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 32 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 20 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 234 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Town | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.










