Surf Forecasts:
Nine Mile Reef surf forecast from 8 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 9s period, SSE swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 12 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, SSW swell with 1,354 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 9s period with SSE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Nine Mile Reef this week:
The surf forecast for Nine Mile Reef over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 1.8m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 1.5m and 14s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Nine Mile Reef in the next 16 days are 1.6m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Nine Mile Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s size up Nine Mile Reef over the next 16 days in feet and miles per hour.
It’s a quiet start – the first few days have onshore winds and barely a ripple, so don’t bother paddling out. The water temp is sitting at 56°F, which is a full 4°F colder than average for this time of year, so you’ll want the thick suit.
The first real bright spot is the morning of Sunday, September 13th. The wind goes dead glassy – perfect for a reef. Swell is a nice 4 ft from the SSW with a 14-second period, giving it some proper groundswell character. The combined energy is moderate (1008), and for experienced surfers, this is THE session. Crowds are a possibility at this break, so be prepared to share.
Later that same afternoon, the swell jumps to 8 ft and the energy spikes (2066), but the direction swings to SE with a short 10-second period. That’s too big and messy for this spot – not going to hold shape.
Tuesday the 15th has a tiny 3 ft swell with a ridiculous 22-second period, but the wind is a fresh 19 mph offshore, making it hard to line up. More of a novelty.
Then Saturday, September 19th morning goes glassy again. Swell is 4 ft from the SW, 12-second period, energy low (388). Clean, small, fun – great for beginners at this reef.
Come Monday, September 21st, we see a big pulse – 8 ft from the SSW with energy of 4789 – that’s strong. Period is 17 seconds. But the wind is cross-onshore, and the size is expert-only. The morning of Tuesday the 22nd cleans up with offshore wind from the NNW at 15 mph, delivering a 5 ft SSW swell at 13 seconds – energy 825, clean and punchy.
The very end, Wednesday, September 23rd, shows 12 ft from the WSW at a short 10 seconds – combined energy 3094, but far too big for this reef to be enjoyable.
The one true standout is the Sunday, September 13th morning – glassy, 4 ft groundswell, perfect reef conditions. The backup is the Saturday, September 19th morning for smaller but sweet waves. From the 21st onward, it’s big and heavy – only for the brave.
Stay patient, watch the tides, and layer up.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 24°C on Sun afternoon, min 15°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | ||||||||||||||
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 11 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 17 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | S 7 | SSE 7 | SW 14 | SSW 16 | SSE 9 | SSW 14 | SE 10 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 96 | 75 | 109 | 106 | 214 | 924 | 647 | 473 | 277 | 316 | 302 | 606 | 1354 | 1083 | 617 | 1200 | 245 | 154 | 112 | 91 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy | on | cross-off | cross-off | off | off |
High Tide | 1:53AM1.45m | 2:16PM1.58m | 2:33AM1.53m | 2:52PM1.67m | 3:10AM1.57m | 3:26PM1.71m | 3:44AM1.57m | 3:58PM1.70m | 4:16AM1.53m | 4:29PM1.64m | 4:47AM1.46m | 4:59PM1.54m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:51PM0.21m | 8:05AM0.12m | 8:32PM0.09m | 8:42AM0.05m | 9:09PM0.02m | 9:16AM0.02m | 9:43PM-0.01m | 9:48AM0.03m | 10:15PM0.02m | 10:19AM0.08m | 10:45PM0.08m | 10:48AM0.16m | 11:14PM0.17m | |||||||
 |  | | |  |  |  |  | | | | | | | | |  | |  | | |
 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — |
 | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:32 | — | — | 6:32 | — | — | 6:34 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 5 | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 18 | 20 | 16 | 18 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 24 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 24 | 21 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 18 | 12 | 15 | 20 | 16 | 22 | 25 | 19 | 19 | 13 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 8 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 14 | SSW 16 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SW 12 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 96 | 40 | 109 | 106 | 214 | 924 | 647 | 473 | 107 | 169 | 88 | 606 | 1354 | 540 | 391 | 442 | 222 | 82 | 112 | 91 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | SW 15 | SSE 9 | S 8 | SSW 17 | SE 9 | — | — | SW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 14 | — | — | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SE 9 | SE 10 |
| kJ | 70 | 75 | 15 | 5 | 193 | 3 | — | — | 277 | 40 | 136 | — | — | 961 | 617 | 424 | 245 | 154 | 29 | 4 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SSE 9 | SSW 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | SW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 7 | SE 12 |
| kJ | 38 | 16 | 7 | 6 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | 26 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 6 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 3 | SSE 2 | S 3 | SSE 3 | SSE 3 | SSE 3 | — | SSE 3 | SE 4 | S 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | — | SE 10 | — | NW 3 | NW 5 | NNW 4 |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | — | 7 | 22 | 316 | 302 | 509 | 838 | 1083 | — | 1200 | — | 8 | 54 | 42 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 22 | 12 | 27 | 32 | 16 | 21 | 32 | 22 | 16 | 31 | 16 | 21 | 21 | 12 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Town | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Nine Mile Reef Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Nine Mile Reef provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Nine Mile Reef can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Nine Mile Reef 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 (Nine Mile Reef) 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 Nine Mile Reef 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.
Nine Mile Reef is 19 km (12 miles) from the very large city of Bellville. If you plan a holiday in Cape Town, look for hotels and other accommodation in Bellville. Bellville has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as cheap car hire and transport links.
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