Noordhoek Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s heading our way for Noordhoek.

Overall, the pattern is a bit of a slow starter, then a big pulse of solid swell, but the wind is going to be the main character for much of the run. There’s a long gap of poor conditions at the beginning, so don’t get too excited about the first few days.

We kick off on Wednesday, 26 August, but honestly, don’t bother. The wind is howling from the east at 35 km/h, cross-on, and it’s lumpy. The swell is a messy 11.5ft from the SSW, period 15 seconds, but the combined energy is a massive 5544, so there’s heaps of power – but it’s all for nothing with that wind. It’s blown out.

Thursday, 27 August, is still a write-off. Through the morning it’s a 7.2ft SSW swell, period 12 seconds, but the wind is cross-shore from the northeast at 25 km/h, creating a cross-chop. The afternoon is no better, cross-onshore and choppy.

Friday, 28 August, things start to look up. The morning is clean, with a light cross-offshore breeze from the southwest at 15 km/h. We’ve got a 3.9ft swell from the south, period 12 seconds, and the energy is moderate at 499. The water temperature is 62.2°, which is 3.9° colder than average for this time of year – that’s notably cool, so don’t forget a good wetsuit. It’s a small but clean option, though the crowd factor is “sometimes” so you might have company.

Saturday, 29 August, keeps the good run going for the morning. Another clean one, with a cross-offshore breeze from the west-southwest. The swell drops to 3.3ft from the south, period 11 seconds, energy 443. It’s small but clean, and the water is still cold.

Sunday, 30 August, is a wildcard. The morning has a 9.8ft swell from the southwest, but the period is a short 8 seconds, and the wind is a near gale from the west-southwest at 50 km/h. It’s clean, but that’s a strong wind, and the swell is messy. The afternoon eases to 7.2ft, period 8 seconds, with a fresh breeze. It’s marginal at best.

Now, Monday, 31 August – this is a standout. The morning is glassy, with a light wind from the west-northwest at 5 km/h. The swell is a clean 6.2ft from the southwest, period 12 seconds, and the energy is 940. It’s going to be clean and lined up, with that long period giving it some push. That’s your best bet for the early part of the forecast.

Tuesday, 1 September, is another cracker for the morning. A light cross-offshore from the west-northwest at 10 km/h, with a 7.9ft swell from the southwest, period 11 seconds, and energy 1455. This is excellent for experienced surfers. The swell is a bit over 8ft, so it’s pushing into expert territory, but the conditions are clean.

Wednesday, 2 September, the morning is clean again with a cross-offshore wind, but the swell is 11.5ft from the southwest at 13 seconds, energy 3936. That’s a lot of water moving. It’s marginal for the break, but for the right surfer, it’s on.

Then things get hairy. Thursday, 3 September, is a write-off with near gale and severe gale winds. Friday, 4 September, brings a massive 26.2ft swell from the south-southeast, period 13 seconds, energy 21209. The wind is light and offshore, but the swell is simply too big for this break. It’s for experts only on a big day, and even then, it’s pushing the limits.

Saturday, 5 September, similar story – 21.3ft to 18.0ft swell, offshore winds, but just too big for anyone but the most experienced.

Sunday, 6 September, the swell drops to 9.8ft from the southeast, period 12 seconds, energy 3544. The morning is clean with a light cross-offshore. That’s a good option for experienced surfers, but the swell is still solid.

From Monday, 7 September, onwards, the swell fades. The rest of the run is small, with clean conditions but not much push. The best of the late period is a 3.6ft swell from the southwest on Monday morning, but it’s marginal.

So, the standout session is Monday, 31 August, morning – glassy, 6.2ft clean swell from the southwest. That’s the one to circle. The other big highlight is Tuesday, 1 September, morning, for the slightly bigger, clean conditions, but that one is for the experienced crew.

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