Nine Mile Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.07° S 18.66° E

Nine Mile Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 18 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Nine Mile Reef sea temperature is
13.9° C
1.7° 

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 19 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 13s period, SSW swell with onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 14s period, SSW swell with 2,099 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 12s period with SW 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 12s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Nine Mile Reef in the next 16 days are 2.4m 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+)11PM (Wed 19th Aug)5ft (1.6m) 12s
Best Surf 5AM (Thu 20th Aug)7ft (2.1m) 13s
Most Powerful 8AM (Thu 20th Aug)8ft (2.4m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s break it down. For the next 16 days, we’ve got a mixed bag at Nine Mile Reef – a reef setup that’s exposed to the swell. Things start off rough, build to a real standout morning on Thursday the 20th, then quieten down before another promising window shows up in early September.

Right now, we’re in a bit of a flat patch. The morning of Wednesday the 19th has 6 ft swell from the SSW, but the wind is onshore at 9 mph and the conditions are poor – not worth paddling out for. That onshore wind sticks around through the afternoon with 5 ft, and it’s marginal at best.

Thursday the 20th is the clear highlight of the first week. The morning brings a solid 8 ft of SSW groundswell with a long 13-second period, and the wind is light at 6 mph but still onshore. The combined energy is strong at 1807 – you’ll feel that push. But here’s the thing: the wave comment says it might actually be too big for this break. This is a beginner-friendly reef, and 8 ft is getting into expert territory. Still, if you’re looking for power, this is it. The afternoon drops off a bit with 7 ft and stronger onshore wind – not the time.

Friday the 21st is a step down. Morning has 5 ft and light wind, but the conditions are marginal. Afternoon sees the wind ease to almost nothing with 4 ft – still just marginal.

Saturday the 22nd brings a change. The morning has 3 ft of SSW swell but here’s the good part: the wind swings to the NNW at 12 mph, which is offshore. Combined energy is moderate at 440, and the wave comment says “expect good surf conditions.” It’s clean. The afternoon gets 5 ft with a cross-offshore breeze and “very good” conditions – that’s a solid window for a session, though the swell is a bit weaker in energy at 521.

Sunday the 23rd is back to onshore wind and marginal surf – 6 ft in the morning and 3 ft in the afternoon, but the wind is on it.

Monday the 24th is poor to marginal across the board with 4 ft swell. Tuesday the 25th is marginal with 5 ft and a cross-onshore wind that makes things choppy.

Now, Wednesday the 26th is another little gem. The morning is glassy – wind from the NNW at just 3 mph, totally calm. The swell is 3 ft from the SW with a 12-second period, and the combined energy is 559. The wave comment says “expect very good surf conditions.” That’s clean, lined-up, and relaxed. The afternoon is lighter at 3 ft and cross-shore – fine but not as good.

Thursday the 27th morning has 2 ft with a moderate offshore wind – “good surf conditions” but small. Friday the 28th is onshore and poor again. Saturday the 29th gets bigger – 6 ft in the morning with a 15-second period, but onshore wind keeps it marginal. By afternoon, the wind ramps up to 19 mph cross-onshore and the swell hits 10 ft – that’s too big for beginners and messy for everyone. Sunday the 30th is strong cross-onshore wind, poor conditions across the board.

We then hit a lull from Sunday through Monday the 31st – poor conditions with strong wind and onshore flow. The energy drops right off.

Then we get a new pulse in early September. Tuesday the 1st has 5 ft from the SW with a 14-second period and a cross-offshore wind – clean conditions. The combined energy is 970 (moderate-strong). Wednesday the 2nd is even better: 5 ft from the SW, 13-second period, clean with a cross-offshore breeze. The wave comment rates it “very good” and the energy is 760. That’s a solid session.

Finally, Thursday the 3rd brings a massive 20 ft swell from the WSW with a 14-second period and light offshore wind – combined energy of 18536. But again, this is way too big for Nine Mile Reef – expert only, and even then, it’s wild. The water temperature is pretty average for this time of year – nothing unusual going on.

My pick for the standout? Thursday morning the 20th if you’re an experienced surfer and can handle the size – that’s the biggest, most powerful swell of the window. For the cleaner, more relaxed sessions, Saturday the 22nd and Wednesday the 26th are your best bets with offshore or glassy conditions. The early September window on Wednesday the 2nd is a promising one, too – just a bit further out, so keep an eye on it.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
0
1
2
!
1
1
2
2
3
2
3
!
2
1
2
0
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.9
SSW
12
1.7
SSW
12
1.6
SW
12
1.7
SSW
13
2.3
SSW
13
2
SSW
13
1.7
SSW
12
1.5
SSW
11
1.2
SSW
11
1.3
SSW
11
1
SSW
11
1.6
SW
10
2.1
SW
13
1.7
SW
12
1.2
SSW
11
1.4
SW
11
1.2
SW
11
1.2
SW
10
1.4
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1073
808
718
953
1807
1211
802
534
334
404
242
510
1413
860
335
521
334
316
752
Wind (km/h)
10
SE
15
S
15
S
5
SE
10
S
20
S
15
SE
10
S
5
SSW
5
NNW
20
NNW
10
NW
5
SSE
10
S
15
S
10
S
10
S
15
S
15
SSE
Wind State
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
on
on
off
off
cross-off
glassy
on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
High Tide
7:09AM1.11m
7:27PM1.17m
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
Low Tide
1:07AM0.43m
1:04PM0.51m
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
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:20
7:18
7:18
7:16
7:15
7:13
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:16
6:16
6:17
6:19
6:19
6:20
6:21
 mm
Temp °C
13
14
15
14
15
15
13
15
18
14
15
15
15
15
16
13
14
15
15
Feels °C
10
11
12
13
13
12
10
13
16
14
11
12
16
13
14
11
12
13
12
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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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