
Surf Forecasts:
Monwabisi Strand surf forecast from 28 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 28 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 14s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 14s period, SSW swell with 779 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 28 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 14s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Monwabisi Strand this week:
The surf forecast for Monwabisi Strand over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Monwabisi Strand in the next 16 days are 1.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 02) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Tue 28th Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Tue 28th Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Tue 28th Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Monwabisi Strand over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here with a look at what’s cooking for the local stretch. We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag coming up, so let’s get into it.
Right now through the end of July, the swell is down but the windows of clean conditions are really the story. Monwabisi Strand is the only break worth talking about, so that’s where we’re focused. The water is sitting around 59°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year – no surprises there.
We kick off the run of surf on Tuesday the 28th with a bumpy 6 ft SSW swell, but that 25 km/h ESE crosswind is going to chop it up. Not worth paddling out. Things turn the corner on Wednesday morning the 29th. That 4 ft SSW swell (13 seconds) hits with a light 5 km/h cross-offshore breeze – clean lines, nice shape, and the combined energy is moderate (577). That’s your first standout and the best bet in the near term.
Thursday the 30th is a cracker too. Morning brings a glassy 3 ft SSW swell – pure clean conditions. The energy drops a bit (506) but for a small board or a log, it’ll be super fun. Friday the 31st stays small with 3 ft SW swell and glassy wind, but the energy tails off to 207. It’s surfable, but you’ll have to work for it.
The first weekend of August (the 1st and 2nd) stays small but clean. Early Saturday morning is dead glass with a 2 ft SW groundswell (14 seconds). That longer period will give some nice push for the size, so don’t sleep on it if you’ve got a bigger board.
Now here’s where it gets interesting for the experts. From Wednesday the 5th of August, the swell starts to ramp up. Wednesday morning sees a solid 6 ft SSW swell with a 25 km/h cross-offshore, but the energy jumps to 1448 – it’s punchy. That afternoon the swell hits 8 ft with a 30 km/h cross-off, energy at 1831. That’s pushing big and clean, but it’s heading into expert territory.
Hold onto your hats for Sunday the 9th of August. The afternoon shows a 10 ft SW swell with 30 km/h cross-shore winds. The energy is massive at 3201, but the wind is lumpy. Then Monday the 10th of August – a beast of a 23 ft WSW groundswell (16 seconds) roll through. Combined energy hits 35,891 – that’s a serious, serious amount of water moving. This is for experts only, and even then, it’s borderline too big for the break. The winds are cross-offshore though, so if you’re a charger, that Monday morning window is a true standout.
After that, the swell drops fast. Tuesday the 11th is still big at 12 ft (S direction) but glassy in the morning – still for pros. It fades through the week, and by Wednesday the 12th we’re back to 4 ft onshore slop. The run is done.
So, to sum it up: Wednesday 29th July morning is your best clean, accessible surf. For the experienced crew, Monday 10th August morning is the biggest, cleanest swell of the window, but it’s a proper big-wave day.
Stay safe, and I’ll catch you in the water.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Fri morning, min 11°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
1127 | 680 | 536 | 634 | 545 | 357 | 357 | 249 | 175 | 116 | 82 | 198 | 199 | 205 | 199 | 181 | 284 | 223 | 350 | 418 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross-off | glassy | glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 3:02PM1.37m | 3:06AM1.40m | 3:33PM1.45m | 3:38AM1.43m | 4:03PM1.50m | 4:09AM1.45m | 4:33PM1.54m | 4:40AM1.44m | 5:02PM1.55m | 5:12AM1.41m | 5:33PM1.54m | 5:47AM1.36m | 6:07PM1.49m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:09PM0.31m | 9:22AM0.17m | 9:40PM0.26m | 9:51AM0.13m | 10:11PM0.22m | 10:18AM0.12m | 10:42PM0.20m | 10:47AM0.12m | 11:13PM0.20m | 11:16AM0.15m | 11:46PM0.22m | 11:48AM0.21m | 00:24AM0.26m | |||||||
— | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | |
6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 19 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 24 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 15 |
Feels °C | 11 | 9 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 22 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
1127 | 680 | 536 | 634 | 545 | 357 | 357 | 249 | 175 | 116 | 82 | 198 | 199 | 205 | 199 | 181 | 284 | 223 | 350 | 418 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 11 | — | S 10 | SE 6 | SE 6 | — | SE 6 | SE 8 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 11 | SE 11 | S 10 | SE 11 | SE 12 | SW 19 | SW 16 | SW 12 | E 11 |
— | 3 | — | 2 | 20 | 11 | — | 15 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 29 | 20 | 7 | 20 | 5 | 54 | 203 | 137 | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 8 | W 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 | — | — | SSE 5 | S 9 | S 9 | SE 12 | SE 11 | WSW 11 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 7 | 12 | 64 | — | — | 3 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 130 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 6 | SE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | SE 5 | ESE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 3 | NW 3 | WNW 4 | — | — | — |
234 | 131 | 41 | 26 | 127 | 138 | 11 | 130 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | 10 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 36 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 5 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Town | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Information about the Monwabisi Strand Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Monwabisi Strand provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Monwabisi Strand can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Monwabisi Strand 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 (Monwabisi Strand) 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 Monwabisi Strand 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.
Monwabisi Strand is 17 km (11 miles) from the city of Stellenbosch. If you plan a holiday in Cape Town, look for hotels and other accommodation in Stellenbosch. Stellenbosch has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










