Surf Forecasts:
Nine Mile Reef surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 15 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 14s period, SW swell with 1,402 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 15 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 15s 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 Tuesday (Sep 15) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 15s period. 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 1.8m 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Tue 15th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Tue 15th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Nine Mile Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the table for Nine Mile Reef. It’s a reef setup, which usually means a bit of shape if the swell lines up, but we’ve got a long wait for anything that’ll get the blood pumping.
The next couple of weeks are pretty grim. For the first seven days, starting on September 15th, it’s basically a write-off. The swell is small, the wind is mostly cross-on and strong, and the data just keeps saying “poor.”
On the 22nd of September, Tuesday morning, we get a little glimmer – glassy conditions with a light wind from the SSW at just 3 mph. The combined swell energy isn’t huge at 307, but period is short at 6 seconds. It cleans up, but it’s not going to be anything special for a seasoned surfer. The water temp is 59°F, which is about 1°F cooler than usual for this time of year – a touch chilly but not freakish.
Now, if you’ve got patience, keep your eyes on September 24th, Thursday. That’s the standout. The morning looks promising with a 6 ft SSW groundswell and a long period of 14 seconds pushing a serious 2300 combined energy. The wind is cross-off from the NW at just 6 mph, keeping it clean. The afternoon gets even better – glassy conditions with 0 mph wind, 5 ft swell from the same SSW direction, and a period of 13 seconds with 1599 energy. This is for experienced surfers; the reef and the long period should give some proper, powerful lines. The short days before and after that are still messy with cross-on winds and chop.
After that high point, it fades again into September 30th, Wednesday morning, where we get a clean morning with a light offshore from the NNW at 6 mph, but the swell is only 4 ft at 7 seconds – fun but not the big draw.
Bottom line: there’s a big gap of poor surf until the 24th. That Thursday is your best and only real shot at something classy. The rest is mostly waiting out the wind.
Stay patient. Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Tue night. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue morning, min 12°C on Tue night). Mainly strong winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Fri morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ESE on Fri afternoon, light winds from the SE by Sat morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | |||||||||||||||
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 18 | SW 16 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SE 7 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSE 6 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSE 6 | SW 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 96 | 421 | 1402 | 1179 | 744 | 816 | 514 | 349 | 298 | 247 | 336 | 301 | 167 | 284 | 548 | 630 | 431 | 256 | 116 | 184 | 75 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 5:28PM1.42m | 5:48AM1.26m | 5:59PM1.28m | 6:21AM1.14m | 6:33PM1.14m | 7:05AM1.02m | 7:25PM1.02m | 8:41AM0.92m | 9:33PM0.94m | 11:23AM0.96m | 11:40PM1.00m | 12:28PM1.08m | 00:35AM1.11m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:17AM0.27m | 11:43PM0.29m | 11:46AM0.39m | 00:13AM0.41m | 12:17PM0.51m | 00:51AM0.54m | 12:59PM0.64m | 1:58AM0.65m | 2:48PM0.74m | 4:47AM0.67m | 5:47PM0.69m | 6:13AM0.57m | 6:43PM0.57m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — |
 | — | 6:36 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:38 | — | — | 6:38 | — | — | 6:39 | — |
mm | — | — | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 21 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 16 |
Feels °C | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 15 | 18 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 |
| kJ | 96 | 421 | 1402 | 526 | 683 | 816 | 514 | 349 | 298 | 242 | 336 | 301 | 167 | 134 | 548 | 630 | 431 | 256 | 116 | 112 | 75 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SE 13 | ESE 13 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 12 | — | — | — | SSW 15 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 79 | 7 | 16 | 1179 | 744 | 398 | — | — | — | 85 | 12 | 41 | 104 | 102 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 39 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 13 | — | — | ESE 12 | E 11 | — | — | — | — | SW 20 | — | — | — | SW 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 7 |
| kJ | 7 | — | — | 14 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 15 | — | — | — | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 5 | NW 6 | — | SSW 8 | SSE 5 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SE 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 |
| kJ | 71 | 186 | — | 338 | 108 | 158 | 181 | 270 | 169 | 247 | 335 | 246 | 109 | 284 | 209 | 202 | 195 | 74 | 56 | 184 | 66 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 249 | 160 | 30 | 300 | 196 | 21 | 198 | 1282 | 22 | 36 | 43 | 27 | 16 | 318 | 36 | 21 | 359 | 22 | 22 | 31 | 12 |
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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