Nine Mile Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.07° S 18.66° E

Nine Mile Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 19 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Nine Mile Reef sea temperature is
13.8° C
1.8° 

Nine Mile Reef surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Nine Mile Reef surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 14s period, SSW swell with cross-onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, SSW swell with 2,227 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 14s 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 Thursday (Aug 20) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 14s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-onshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Nine Mile Reef in the next 16 days are 2.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 11s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Thu 20th Aug)7ft (2.2m) 14s
Best Surf 5AM (Thu 20th Aug)7ft (2.2m) 14s
Most Powerful 8AM (Thu 20th Aug)8ft (2.5m) 14s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Nine Mile Reef over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s get into it. The next couple of weeks are a mixed bag, so let's break it down.

The standout window is right at the start, Thursday the 20th. We’ve got a solid SSW swell rolling in, but here’s the catch – it’s too big for Nine Mile Reef. The waves are predicted to be in the 8ft range with a 13-second period, and that's just too much juice for this setup. It’s a shame because the wind and tide are favorable, but you'll be looking at close-outs and chaos. It’s a pass for me.

Friday the 21st sees that swell drop off quick. It’s down to 5ft in the morning, but the onshore wind is going to make it messy and choppy. Not a day to get excited about. The swell drops again into the weekend, but Saturday morning the 22nd shows a light offshore wind. Waves are small, around 4ft, but it might be a fun little clean session for the logs. The energy is weak though, so don't expect much push.

We have a lull for a few days after that. The swell stays small, but the wind turns onshore and the surf quality is just poor from Monday the 24th through Friday the 28th. It’s a flat, blown-out stretch, so you’re not missing anything. Save your energy.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Saturday the 29th is still bumpy with strong cross-onshore winds, but Sunday the 30th looks special. The wind drops to nothing—glassy conditions—and we’ve got a clean 3ft SW swell. It’s small, but clean and perfect for the reef. This is your best bet for a proper, fun surf. The energy is still low, but the quality will be top-notch.

Then, just when you think it’s over, Monday the 31st delivers a proper punch. A new SW swell pulses in, hitting 7ft with a 13-second period. But once again, that’s too big for Nine Mile. The conditions are glassy, it’ll look epic, but it’s just too much for this break. You’ll want to sit this one out and watch from the rocks. Tuesday the 1st of September is similar, with a solid 6ft swell, but a strong offshore wind will have it breaking like crazy, probably too unruly.

After that, the swell fades out and the wind goes nuts. Wednesday the 2nd and Thursday the 3rd are not worth your time. The forecast fades into nothing for the final days. The long-range stuff looks promising but it's too far out to get worked up about.

So, to sum it up: If you can only surf one day, make it Sunday the 30th. It's small, but it’s clean and will be the most fun you’ll have. The bigger swells are just too much for this spot. Stay patient, it might not stay flat for long.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
!
!
1
2
1
2
2
1
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.8
SSW
13
2.4
SSW
13
2.1
SSW
13
1.6
SSW
12
1.5
SSW
11
1.2
SSW
11
1.3
SSW
11
1.1
SSW
11
1.1
SW
11
1.5
SW
12
1.3
SW
12
1.3
SW
12
1.2
SW
12
1.1
SW
11
0.9
SSW
14
1.4
SW
15
1.3
SW
13
1.2
SW
13
1.2
SW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1066
1949
1320
722
534
317
379
286
298
594
555
481
396
268
362
784
618
473
464
Wind (km/h)
10
SSE
15
S
20
S
10
SE
10
SSE
10
S
5
SW
15
NNW
10
W
10
SSE
10
SSW
15
S
15
S
20
S
20
S
15
SE
10
SE
10
SE
5
E
Wind State
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
off
cross
cross-on
on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
8:02AM1.00m
8:28PM1.05m
9:44AM0.92m
10:23PM0.99m
11:56AM0.97m
00:07AM1.04m
1:00PM1.07m
1:03AM1.14m
1:38PM1.20m
1:41AM1.25m
2:09PM1.32m
2:14AM1.35m
Low Tide
1:53AM0.55m
1:53PM0.63m
3:15AM0.64m
3:47PM0.72m
5:33AM0.63m
6:08PM0.67m
6:47AM0.53m
7:08PM0.57m
7:28AM0.42m
7:46PM0.46m
8:00AM0.31m
8:17PM0.35m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:18
7:18
7:16
7:15
7:13
7:13
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:16
6:17
6:19
6:19
6:20
6:21
6:22
 mm
Temp °C
14
15
15
14
15
19
15
15
18
16
15
15
13
15
15
14
18
25
22
Feels °C
13
12
11
11
13
18
15
12
16
16
14
12
11
12
11
11
15
23
19
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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