Hout Bay Surf Break

Hout Bay Sea Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

Lat Long: 34.04° S 18.35° E

Issued: 7 pm 20 Jun 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Hout Bay sea temperature is
14.5° C

1.7°C colder than average for this time of year

Hout Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.

Today's Hout Bay sea temperature is 14.5 °C

(1.7°C colder than average for this time of year)

Mean: 16.2 °C
Range: 14.9 °C to 17.5 °C
Statistics for 20 Jun (1981–2005)

    Today, many surfers would wear a spring wetsuit.

    Sunny with pleasantly warm air temperatures (feels like 20 °C) at Hout Bay, yet the sea remains several degrees colder than the air. Most surfers will need a spring wetsuit though a summer suit or even a shorty may suffice for a short session.

    South Africa Sea Water Temperature

    Map of current South Africa
    Surface Water Temperatures

    (based on measurements from oceanographic satellites)
    South Africa Water Temperature Anomaly

    Map of current South Africa
    Sea Water Temperature Anomalies

    (compared with long term averages
    at this time of year)

    click thumbnails to expand

    Below is a graph of Historical Sea Surface Temperature for Hout Bay. This has been derived from analysis of two decades of oceanographic satellite measurements of nearby open water. We have calculated the average water temperature variation around the year as well as the extremes that have been observed on each date.

    Hout Bay Water Temperature Graph

    All of the graphs for the surf breaks presented on Surf-Forecast.com are on the same scale to enable comparison between locations around the world.

    Hout Bay water temperatures peak in the range 19 to 22°C (66 to 72°F) on around the 29th of January and are at their lowest on about the 15th of July, in the range 14 to 16°C (57 to 61°F). Hout Bay water temperatures are maximum in late January. Surfers should use a 2mm long sleeve shorty or a 3/2mm spring wetsuit if the wind is up. The lowest seasonal water temperatures at Hout Bay in mid July lend themselves to a 4/3mm wetsuit or a 3/2mm suit and 3mm neoprene boots.

    Actual sea surface water temperatures close to shore at Hout Bay can vary by several degrees compared with these open water averages. This is especially true after heavy rain, close to river mouths or after long periods of strong offshore winds. Offshore winds cause colder deep water to replace surface water that has been warmed by the sun. Air temperature, wind-chill and sunshine should also be considered before deciding on the kind of wetsuit needed to stay warm when surfing at Hout Bay. Refer to our detailed weather forecasts for this information.

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