Surf Forecasts:
Nine Mile Reef surf forecast from 9 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 11 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 13s period, S swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s period, SW swell with 2,257 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 11 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 13s period with S 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 (Aug 11) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 1.9m and 7s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Nine Mile Reef in the next 16 days are 3.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Tue 11th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Tue 11th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sun 9th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Nine Mile Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.
Look, the first few days of this forecast are a write-off. Sunday afternoon kicks off with a messy, onshore 12ft swell – that’s a lot of water, but it’s all blown out by a strong SSE wind. Forget it. We’ve got a gap of poor surf until the middle of the week.
The real action starts to build on Wednesday the 12th. That’s our first standout. Nine Mile Reef wakes up under glassy conditions. Swell drops to a clean 4ft from the SW, but the period is a massive 18 seconds – that’s proper groundswell energy. The combined energy is a hefty 1488, so there’s plenty of push. The water temp is sitting at 58°, which is about normal for this time of year. This is a morning for the experienced crew; that long period at a reef break will deliver lined-up, powerful waves. The glassy wind is the icing on the cake.
Thursday morning the 13th keeps the quality high. Same spot, still a solid 5ft SW swell at 18 seconds, with a light cross-offshore breeze from the NE. The energy is even higher at 1718. The waves will be clean and well-shaped. Good chance of having it fairly uncrowded if you’re on it early.
We get a bit of a lull over the weekend. Waves drop under 3ft, but the wind stays favourable. The next real highlight fires up again on Monday the 17th. Nine Mile Reef goes glassy again in the morning with a 6ft SW swell, 15-second period, and energy of 1398. That’s another excellent session for the experienced surfer, but get in before the onshore wind kicks in during the afternoon.
After that, the swell drops out again. The last week of the window is generally small and poorly aligned, with onshore winds dominating. The final day of the forecast, Sunday the 23rd, sees a bump in size – 6ft to 7ft from the SSW – but it’s all onshore and messy. Nothing to get excited about.
So, to sum it up: Wednesday the 12th and Monday the 17th mornings are your best bets. Clean, glassy, and powerful at Nine Mile Reef. Don’t waste your energy on the rest.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed morning, min 10°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSE on Sun afternoon, calm by Wed morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Thu afternoon, min 18°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | SW 11 | S 9 | S 10 | S 13 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SW 22 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | WSW 14 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 3017 | 1685 | 528 | 951 | 1866 | 915 | 355 | 906 | 1101 | 985 | 920 | 1684 | 1297 | 627 | 370 | 412 | 363 | 373 | 318 | 268 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | glassy | off | cross | off |
High Tide | 1:06AM1.36m | 1:46PM1.38m | 2:01AM1.47m | 2:32PM1.53m | 2:47AM1.55m | 3:14PM1.64m | 3:29AM1.58m | 3:53PM1.70m | 4:08AM1.57m | 4:29PM1.70m | 4:45AM1.52m | 5:04PM1.66m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:58PM0.40m | 7:33AM0.22m | 7:56PM0.26m | 8:21AM0.11m | 8:45PM0.14m | 9:02AM0.03m | 9:28PM0.06m | 9:40AM-0.01m | 10:08PM0.02m | 10:16AM-0.00m | 10:46PM0.04m | 10:51AM0.05m | 11:22PM0.10m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — |
 | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 17 |
Feels °C | 5 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 11 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 21 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 14 | S 13 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SE 8 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | WSW 14 | SW 14 |
| kJ | 3017 | 1685 | 216 | 308 | 1866 | 915 | 355 | 153 | 1101 | 985 | 920 | 1684 | 1297 | 627 | 370 | 412 | 363 | 373 | 318 | 268 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SSW 14 | WSW 11 | SW 26 | SW 24 | SW 22 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SW 21 | SE 11 | ESE 9 | SE 5 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | ESE 9 | SE 11 | SE 11 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 671 | 101 | 27 | 148 | 906 | 41 | 31 | 368 | 32 | 154 | 7 | 29 | 19 | 5 | 32 | 5 | 5 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | WSW 11 | — | SW 26 | WSW 10 | SSW 11 | SW 10 | SW 10 | ESE 9 | S 10 | — | SE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 180 | — | 27 | 20 | 135 | 52 | 26 | 53 | 2 | — | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | S 9 | S 10 | SE 7 | ENE 4 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | — | — | — | ENE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 2088 | 1111 | 528 | 951 | 325 | 1 | 159 | 670 | 294 | 212 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1400 | 198 | 223 | 165 | 16 | 12 | 16 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 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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