Surf Forecasts:
Nine Mile Reef surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 10s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 14s period, SW swell with 1,203 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 10s 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 Saturday (Aug 22) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 14s. 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 1.7m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Nine Mile Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s talk surf.
We’re looking at a 16-day window, but the first real surf doesn’t show up until Saturday, August 22. The main spot is Nine Mile Reef, a reef break that’s fairly consistent. The water temperature is 57°F, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year.
Saturday morning, August 22 is a solid start. Clean 4ft swell from the SSW with an 11-second period, a light offshore breeze from the NNW at 9 mph. The wave energy is moderate at 513. It’s a beginner-friendly size, crowds are possible.
Sunday morning, August 23 sees a little bump to 4ft from the SW, period up to 13 seconds, 581 energy. But the wind swings onshore from the S at 6 mph, making it marginal. Same for Sunday afternoon.
Monday and Tuesday (24th & 25th) are a write-off – onshore winds, choppy, poor. Not good for paddle surfing.
Wednesday, August 26 is still marginal but lighter winds.
Thursday morning, August 27 brings clean 4ft from the S, light offshore from the NNW at 6 mph – gentle and clean. Moderate energy at 445.
Friday morning, August 28 is the early standout: glassy conditions, light S breeze at 3 mph, 3ft from the S, 11-second period, 412 energy. Clean and calm.
Saturday, August 29 morning has a fresh offshore from the NNW at 19 mph, but only 3ft swell with a very long 16-second period. The afternoon brings 5ft from the WSW at 9 seconds.
Sunday, August 30 morning is a proper standout: 7ft from the SW, 11-second period, strong energy at 986, and a moderate offshore breeze from the NNW at 12 mph. It’s powerful and clean – too big for beginners, great for experienced surfers.
From Monday, August 31 things quiet down. The morning is clean and rideable at 3ft.
Tuesday, September 1 morning brings larger 6ft from the SSW with 15-second period, strong energy at 1268, but onshore wind makes it marginal.
Wednesday, September 2 morning is gorgeous: glassy, calm, 5ft from the SW, 13-second period, strong energy at 1069 – perfect for experienced surfers. The afternoon jumps to 10ft with a very long 18-second period and massive 4983 energy – too big for most.
Thursday, September 3 to Saturday, September 5 sees big, powerful swells around 7-7ft with strong offshore winds – only for experts.
Sunday, September 6 backs down to a more manageable 5-6ft with moderate offshore winds and clean conditions – a good finisher.
The best bets: Friday morning, August 28 for the clean glassy conditions, and Wednesday morning, September 2 for the experienced crew with perfect glass and solid swell.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | ESE 8 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 291 | 309 | 533 | 581 | 563 | 448 | 331 | 254 | 881 | 1064 | 596 | 458 | 290 | 324 | 429 | 342 | 351 | 229 | 231 | 251 | 248 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | on | glassy | on | off |
High Tide | 11:56AM0.97m | 00:07AM1.04m | 1:00PM1.07m | 1:03AM1.14m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:08PM0.67m | 6:47AM0.53m | 7:08PM0.57m | 7:28AM0.42m | 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 | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — |
 | — | 6:19 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:21 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:23 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 15 | 18 | 24 | 20 | 23 | 25 | 20 | 23 | 28 | 26 |
Feels °C | 12 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 11 | 16 | 22 | 19 | 21 | 23 | 20 | 22 | 27 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 |
| kJ | 291 | 309 | 533 | 581 | 563 | 448 | 331 | 254 | 881 | 1064 | 596 | 458 | 290 | 324 | 343 | 342 | 351 | 229 | 231 | 181 | 166 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 10 | WSW 16 | SW 14 | — | — | — | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SW 9 | — | SSW 15 | SSW 12 | SSE 8 | S 16 | SE 7 | SW 12 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
| kJ | 222 | 27 | 102 | — | — | — | 68 | 111 | 84 | — | 130 | 353 | 77 | 122 | 82 | 35 | 103 | 136 | 97 | 251 | 248 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SSW 12 | — | — | — | — | SSW 14 | — | — | — | SSW 16 | S 16 | SSW 15 | S 15 | S 15 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | S 13 | SE 7 |
| kJ | — | — | 184 | — | — | — | — | 250 | — | — | — | 457 | 131 | 237 | 69 | 68 | 10 | 57 | 66 | 90 | 12 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 2 | NW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 4 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SSE 5 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | — | WNW 4 | — | ESE 4 | — | NNW 4 |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 19 | 35 | 29 | 130 | 237 | 88 | 269 | 429 | — | 13 | — | 18 | — | 28 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 16 | 22 | 22 | 16 | 26 | 34 | 16 | 21 | 31 | 16 | 12 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 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.
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