
Surf Forecasts:
Nine Mile Reef surf forecast from 7 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 7 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 15s period, SSW swell with onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 12s period, SW swell with 3,111 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 7 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 15s period with SSW 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 Friday (Aug 07) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 15s period. The wind is predicted to be onshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Nine Mile Reef in the next 16 days are 3.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Fri 7th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Fri 7th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Nine Mile Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty here, and I’ve got a solid look at what’s coming for Nine Mile Reef. Let’s break it down.
First off, the water temp is sitting at 58°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year—nothing crazy, but you’ll feel that nip if you’re not in a good spring suit.
The combined swell energy is pushing over 2300 (2368) on Friday the 7th of August afternoon, which is a strong pulse of SW groundswell with a very long period of 15 seconds. That’s proper groundswell. But here’s the catch: the swell is too big for the break at 8ft, and with a light onshore breeze, it’s not going to be clean. This one is a pass for paddle surfing—honestly, it looks more interesting for kite surfing than anything else.
Saturday the 8th of August is where it gets real. The morning has offshore wind from the north at 6 mph, a clean 6ft SW swell with a 13-second period, and the combined energy is still solid at 1144. The conditions are set for excellent surf for experienced surfers. This is your standout session for the whole period. Get on it early, because by the afternoon the wind swings and the swell jumps to 8ft, making it too big again and choppy.
Sunday the 9th of August is a write-off: 12ft swell with strong onshore winds and heavy rain. That’s a strong “no.”
Monday the 10th stays poor with lumpy cross-onshore winds and dropping swell.
Tuesday the 11th of August morning sees a clean-up with light east winds, 6ft S swell, and a 12-second period. Conditions are clean, but the swell is still on the bigger side, so it’s for experienced surfers.
Wednesday the 12th of August morning is a sleeper: just 4ft of SW swell but with a very long 19-second period. That means long, walled-up waves. The combined energy is 1682, which is moderate, but the glassy, near-calm wind makes it a pleasure to be out. It’s a quality window for the skilled crew.
Thursday the 13th of August morning holds clean 5ft SW swell with offshore wind, again good for experienced surfers.
By Friday the 14th of August, the swell drops to 3ft, but the morning is glassy. Small, clean fun for the logs or mids.
From the 15th onward, it’s mostly small and inconsistent through to the 20th, with a few clean moments on the 17th morning and 18th morning, but nothing that will get the heart racing.
Then on Friday the 21st of August, flatness until the afternoon when a big 10ft WSW swell hits, but with onshore wind, it’s a no-go. Into the 22nd of August, another 10ft to 12ft SW swell with cross-onshore wind—too big for the reef and messy.
So if you’re holding out, the real gem is Saturday morning, the 8th of August at Nine Mile Reef. Offshore wind, clean 6ft SW swell, and moderate energy. That’s your one. A close second is the Wednesday morning the 12th for the long-period glassy session. Everything else is either too big, too small, or wind-affected.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri night, fresh winds from the SSE by Sun morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed afternoon, min 10°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SE on Mon afternoon, calm by Wed afternoon). | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | ||||||||||||||
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 15 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 10 | S 9 | S 13 | S 12 | SSW 11 | SW 22 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
2368 | 1621 | 1144 | 2356 | 1659 | 3111 | 3077 | 950 | 660 | 516 | 1838 | 1031 | 349 | 778 | 901 | 881 | 755 | 1327 | 823 | 462 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | glassy | off | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | off | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:22PM1.21m | 11:32AM1.10m | 11:55PM1.26m | 12:49PM1.23m | 1:06AM1.36m | 1:46PM1.38m | 2:01AM1.47m | 2:32PM1.53m | 2:47AM1.55m | 3:14PM1.64m | 3:29AM1.58m | 3:53PM1.70m | 4:08AM1.57m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:46PM0.55m | 5:10AM0.44m | 5:36PM0.52m | 6:34AM0.34m | 6:58PM0.40m | 7:33AM0.22m | 7:56PM0.26m | 8:21AM0.11m | 8:45PM0.14m | 9:02AM0.03m | 9:28PM0.06m | 9:40AM-0.01m | 10:08PM0.02m | |||||||
— | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | |
6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 13 | 14 | 17 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 18 |
Feels °C | 14 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 11 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 17 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 9 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | SSW 11 | SW 22 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
2368 | 1621 | 1144 | 2356 | 1659 | 3111 | 3077 | 950 | 407 | 361 | 1838 | 1031 | 349 | 778 | 901 | 881 | 755 | 1327 | 823 | 462 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 11 | SW 11 | WSW 11 | — | SW 25 | SSW 11 | SE 8 | SE 6 | SW 21 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 263 | 191 | 101 | — | 100 | 135 | 112 | 18 | 658 | 34 | 23 | 28 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 13 | WSW 11 | — | SW 26 | WSW 10 | S 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SE 9 | S 10 | S 9 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | 113 | — | 28 | 10 | 19 | 43 | 34 | 64 | 2 | 2 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSE 7 | S 10 | S 9 | ESE 5 | SE 6 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 1345 | 1522 | 259 | 660 | 516 | 109 | 359 | 182 | 219 | 626 | 475 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 20 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 21 | 434 | 1402 | 31 | 165 | 165 | 16 | 0 | 16 | 16 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 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.











