
Surf Forecasts:
Nine Mile Reef surf forecast from 6 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 6 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 12s period, SW swell with cross-onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SW swell with 3,168 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 6 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 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 Thursday (Aug 06) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be cross-onshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Nine Mile Reef in the next 16 days are 3.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5PM (Thu 6th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 5PM (Thu 6th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Nine Mile Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let's get into it.
First up, we're looking at a long stretch here at Nine Mile Reef. The water is sitting at 58°, which is about 1° cooler than the average for this time of year – nothing wild, just a touch on the chilly side. The good news is the swell window is wide open, and we've got a proper groundswell on the way.
The forecast kicks off Thursday, August 6th, with a 7ft SW swell at 13 seconds. The wind is a cross-on from the SE, so it's not going to be the cleanest, and the combined energy is already cooking at 1336 (moderate). It's a bit of a rough start. Friday morning, August 7th, is where it gets interesting. The wind goes glassy from the ENE, and that swell bumps up to 7ft from the SSW at a very long 15 seconds. The energy jumps to 1911 (moderate). The problem is, at this size and with a reef break, this is really only for the experienced crew. It's a standout moment for the experts though – clean, long-period groundswell.
Saturday morning, August 8th, is the pick for the weekend. The wind is offshore from the N, and the swell is 6ft from the SW at 13 seconds. The energy is a solid 1042 (moderate). The combo of offshore wind and a decent sized, long-period swell makes for clean, lined-up waves. This is the best on offer for the next week. After that, the wind gets ugly, and the swell gets too big and messy, so we go into a bit of a drought.
We have a gap from Saturday afternoon, August 8th, right through to the morning of Wednesday, August 12th, with nothing but onshore wind and blown-out conditions. Wednesday morning, the 12th, brings a glimmer of hope: glassy conditions with a 4ft SW swell, but the period is a very long 18 seconds. That's a lot of pulse for a relatively small wave, and it'll be sucking hard on the reef. Again, expert territory.
The standout for the second week is shaping up for Friday, August 21st. The morning session is glassy with a 6ft SSW swell at 14 seconds. The energy is strong at 1530 (moderate), and it's set to be a clean, powerful groundswell. That afternoon, the swell jumps to 8ft at 17 seconds, with the energy hitting 4107 (strong). That's a beast of a wave, and it's a long-range call, so it's promising but not a lock yet. That afternoon is only for the brave.
In between, the days are small and clean but nothing to write home about. The 14th and 15th of August offer some small, clean waves for a longboard, but nothing that'll get your heart racing. Crowds are always a possibility here, so be prepared to share the peak.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 10°C on Fri morning). Winds increasing (calm on Fri morning, fresh winds from the SSE by Sat night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 11°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSE on Sun afternoon, light winds from the SE by Tue afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | |||||||||||||||
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 13 | SW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | S 10 | SSE 10 | S 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 21 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 20 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1326 | 1411 | 1276 | 1911 | 2368 | 1621 | 1042 | 2356 | 2053 | 2077 | 2264 | 2388 | 431 | 874 | 1736 | 522 | 278 | 1167 | 1053 | 951 | 872 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | glassy | off | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:17AM1.11m | 8:47PM1.25m | 9:49AM1.06m | 10:22PM1.21m | 11:32AM1.10m | 11:55PM1.26m | 12:49PM1.23m | 1:06AM1.36m | 1:46PM1.38m | 2:01AM1.47m | 2:32PM1.53m | 2:47AM1.55m | 3:14PM1.64m | 3:29AM1.58m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:11PM0.49m | 3:28AM0.46m | 3:46PM0.55m | 5:10AM0.44m | 5:36PM0.52m | 6:34AM0.34m | 6:58PM0.40m | 7:33AM0.22m | 7:56PM0.26m | 8:21AM0.11m | 8:45PM0.14m | 9:02AM0.03m | 9:28PM0.06m | ||||||||
7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | |
— | 6:07 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:12 | — | |
mm | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 17 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 21 | 21 |
Feels °C | 11 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 19 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | — | SW 12 | S 12 | S 10 | SW 11 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | S 11 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
1326 | 1411 | 1276 | 1911 | 2368 | 1621 | 1042 | 2356 | 2053 | — | 2264 | 1208 | 431 | 142 | 1474 | 522 | 278 | 332 | 1053 | 951 | 728 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 11 | SSW 14 | WSW 11 | S 28 | SW 25 | SW 21 | S 10 | SE 7 | SW 20 |
10 | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 39 | 58 | 174 | 192 | 101 | 15 | 163 | 1167 | 127 | 22 | 872 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 14 | SSW 14 | — | S 12 | WSW 10 | — | S 10 | SW 10 | SE 6 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 14 | 497 | — | 11 | 39 | — | 49 | 26 | 12 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | ESE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 12 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SE 5 | SSE 10 | S 13 | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | — |
— | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2077 | 1979 | 2388 | 49 | 874 | 1736 | 156 | 132 | 412 | 151 | 117 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 16 | 29 | 16 | 12 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 165 | 318 | 980 | 3857 | 16 | 21 | 27 | 16 | 12 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Town | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Latest Updates
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.











