Surf Forecasts:
Hout Bay surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with 3,582 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Hout Bay this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Hout Bay in the next 16 days are 3.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
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 on offer.
Honestly, it’s a grim run for Hout Bay. For the next ten days or so, the wind is gonna be your main enemy – relentless onshore and cross-off slop that’s going to ruin just about any swell that rolls in. The water is sitting at 56°, which is a solid 4° colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll be wanting a thick steamer. The combined energy values jump around a bit, from moderate readings like 360 to some seriously strong pulses over 1500, but it doesn't matter when the wind is howling.
There’s one tiny window that catches the eye. On the morning of the 25th of September, the wind drops completely. It goes glassy with a light offshore breeze. The swell is short-period stuff, 8 ft from the NW with a period of only 7 seconds, so it’ll be lumpy and a bit disorganised, but at least the surface will be clean. The combined energy is a moderate 740. It’s not going to be classic Hout Bay, but it might be the only time you can get a wave without being blown off your board. After that, the onshore wind slams right back in.
Then, on the morning of the 29th of September, there’s another brief chance. Again, it goes glassy, this time with a light northerly breeze. The swell is on the smaller side at 4 ft from the SW with a 12-second period, giving a combined energy of 485. It’s not a standout, but on a flat, clean day, that inside breakwater wall might just offer up a few fun little ones. The afternoon also looks glassy with a light rain shower. If you are desperate for a paddle, these are your only two real shots in a pretty bleak forecast.
Stay patient, folks. It’ll turn.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Tue night. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 13°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Tue night, strong winds from the SE by Wed night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Thu morning). Mainly near gales. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 12 | SW 12 | NW 7 | SW 18 | SW 16 | WSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 423 | 268 | 311 | 192 | 1001 | 3582 | 2494 | 1155 | 1730 | 1358 | 1058 | 626 | 579 | 892 | 946 | 785 | 455 | 613 | 919 | 816 | 525 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 4:59PM1.52m | 5:18AM1.35m | 5:29PM1.40m | 5:49AM1.24m | 6:00PM1.27m | 6:23AM1.12m | 6:35PM1.13m | 7:08AM1.01m | 7:28PM1.00m | 8:45AM0.92m | 9:35PM0.93m | 11:22AM0.95m | 11:39PM0.99m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:49AM0.16m | 11:15PM0.17m | 11:18AM0.26m | 11:44PM0.28m | 11:47AM0.38m | 00:14AM0.41m | 12:19PM0.51m | 00:53AM0.53m | 1:02PM0.63m | 2:01AM0.64m | 2:53PM0.73m | 4:47AM0.65m | 5:46PM0.68m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:48 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — |
 | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:38 | — | — | 6:38 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:40 | — |
mm | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 12 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 16 | WSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 12 |
| kJ | 423 | 268 | 250 | 168 | 1001 | 3582 | 2494 | 1155 | 1730 | 1358 | 1058 | 626 | 579 | 892 | 946 | 785 | 455 | 613 | 919 | 816 | 525 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 11 | SE 8 | ESE 11 | SW 18 | SE 13 | NW 7 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | W 12 | W 12 | SSW 11 | S 10 | — | — | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | WSW 18 | — | ESE 12 | WSW 15 |
| kJ | 90 | 2 | 11 | 192 | 7 | 143 | 837 | 1011 | 383 | 144 | 265 | 70 | — | — | 40 | 350 | 251 | 31 | — | 15 | 275 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SE 13 | SE 13 | ESE 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 18 |
| kJ | — | 6 | 7 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 31 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 5 | NW 6 | NW 7 | NW 6 | NW 7 | — | SW 9 | SSE 5 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SE 6 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 |
| kJ | 72 | 239 | 311 | 177 | 513 | — | 679 | 117 | 273 | 346 | 275 | 231 | 293 | 471 | 434 | 391 | 412 | 173 | 193 | 154 | 107 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 68 | 178 | 78 | 187 | 234 | 14 | 347 | 191 | 48 | 153 | 408 | 408 | 1254 | 1241 | 1182 | 25 | 408 | 191 | 463 | 606 | 5 |
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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