Surf Forecasts:
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 Type | Time (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 ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly 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 | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 10 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
1073 | 808 | 718 | 953 | 1807 | 1211 | 802 | 534 | 334 | 404 | 242 | 510 | 1413 | 860 | 335 | 521 | 334 | 316 | 752 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | 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 | |||||||
— | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | |
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 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 10 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 14 |
1073 | 808 | 718 | 953 | 1807 | 1211 | 802 | 534 | 317 | 404 | 242 | 510 | 1413 | 860 | 308 | 521 | 334 | 316 | 752 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 6 | NNW 3 | — | — | WSW 13 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 9 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 401 | 334 | 340 | 73 | 1 | — | — | 335 | 51 | 36 | 105 | 113 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 10 | SW 17 | — | — | — | — | SSW 14 | SW 14 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 125 | 11 | — | — | — | — | 73 | 194 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 4 | SSE 5 | — | N 3 | — | — | — | — | — | SE 3 | S 3 | SE 4 |
5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 42 | 39 | — | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 5 | 10 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 16 | 21 | 27 | 10 | 21 | 33 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 21 | 21 | 16 | 22 | 21 | 16 |
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.











