Surf Forecasts:
Nine Mile Reef surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 8s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 12s period, WSW swell with 2,960 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 8s period with SE 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 27) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 8s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore 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 30) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Sun 30th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Nine Mile Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks. Rusty here, giving you the lowdown.
We’re starting slow, with a few days of poor conditions before things get good. The main action runs from Thursday, August 27th, through to Tuesday, September 1st, with a big spike in swell after that.
The spot is Nine Mile Reef, a fairly consistent reef break. The water temp is 58°, which is a bit colder than usual for this time of year, so don’t skimp on the rubber.
Thursday morning, August 27th, we get a clean 4ft S swell (11-second period) with an offshore NNW wind. The energy is moderate. That afternoon gets even better with a light cross-offshore breeze and a 4ft swell. Clean and smooth.
Friday morning, August 28th, is the absolute gem. The wind goes glassy, dead calm, with a 3ft S swell. The reef will be butter-smooth. This is the session you want to be in the water for.
Saturday 29th August holds nice with a 2ft S swell (12-second period) and clean conditions in the morning, though the afternoon gets a bit tricky with a longer period combined with a small swell.
The big one for experienced surfers lands on Tuesday, September 1st. The afternoon sees a 6ft SSW swell with a 14-second period, strong offshore NNW wind, and the energy is pumping. This is top-tier, powerful surf for those who can handle it.
Then, hold onto your board. Wednesday, September 2nd, a massive swell hits. We’re talking 12ft in the morning, blowing up to 21ft in the afternoon. The wind is near gale-force. The energy readings are astronomical. It’s way too big for this break. The same goes for Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th September, with solid 12ft to 13ft SSW swells – all too big to be fun.
The final week from Saturday, September 5th, is a bust. Strong onshore winds, dropping swell, and lumpy, messy conditions. Nothing to write home about.
So, for the best of it: the glassy Friday morning on the 28th of August is the call for clean, fun waves. The hardcore crew should target Tuesday afternoon, September 1st, for the biggest, cleanest, and most powerful session.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Fri afternoon, min 14°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 11 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSE 7 | S 16 | SE 8 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 12 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 325 | 297 | 1016 | 1034 | 676 | 543 | 250 | 248 | 497 | 363 | 426 | 344 | 229 | 178 | 136 | 134 | 236 | 215 | 593 | 1088 | 986 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross | on | cross-on | on | on |
High Tide | 1:38PM1.20m | 1:41AM1.25m | 2:09PM1.32m | 2:14AM1.35m | 2:37PM1.43m | 2:44AM1.43m | 3:05PM1.53m | 3:14AM1.49m | 3:33PM1.60m | 3:44AM1.52m | 4:01PM1.65m | 4:15AM1.52m | 4:31PM1.65m | 4:47AM1.49m | |||||||
Low Tide | 7:46PM0.46m | 8:00AM0.31m | 8:17PM0.35m | 8:28AM0.22m | 8:47PM0.25m | 8:55AM0.14m | 9:15PM0.17m | 9:22AM0.09m | 9:44PM0.11m | 9:49AM0.06m | 10:14PM0.08m | 10:18AM0.07m | 10:45PM0.08m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | |  | | |  | |  | | |  | | | | |
 | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — |
 | — | 6:21 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:23 | — | — | 6:23 | — | — | 6:24 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 23 | 19 | 21 | 23 | 19 | 23 | 27 | 26 | 19 | 20 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 11 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 21 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 21 | 25 | 22 | 17 | 18 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 12 | SW 15 | SW 9 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 325 | 297 | 1016 | 1034 | 676 | 543 | 172 | 161 | 260 | 363 | 426 | 344 | 229 | 178 | 130 | 134 | 236 | 211 | 205 | 1088 | 986 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | W 11 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 12 | S 16 | SE 8 | WSW 12 | SW 16 | WSW 11 | SW 16 | SSE 4 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | S 11 | SW 13 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | S 10 |
| kJ | 125 | 180 | 121 | 226 | 123 | 47 | 140 | 245 | 109 | 53 | 11 | 23 | 64 | 12 | 136 | 109 | 85 | 215 | 11 | 10 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 15 | — | — | — | SSW 16 | S 16 | SW 12 | S 15 | S 15 | WSW 11 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SSE 13 | SW 17 | — | SSE 10 | — | SE 13 | — |
| kJ | — | 280 | — | — | — | 51 | 127 | 120 | 110 | 39 | 183 | 35 | 28 | 95 | 35 | 70 | — | 35 | — | 7 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 3 | SSE 4 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SSE 5 | SE 5 | SSE 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | NW 3 | NW 3 | — | SE 3 | SE 5 | N 3 | NW 4 | WNW 4 | NNW 3 | SW 11 | — | — |
| kJ | 5 | 21 | 29 | 52 | 125 | 67 | 250 | 248 | 497 | 3 | 2 | — | 2 | 44 | 5 | 12 | 16 | 1 | 593 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 16 | 29 | 16 | 21 | 380 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 16 | 21 | 398 | 32 |
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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