Surf Forecasts:
Noordhoek surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 14s period, SSW swell with 6,645 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Noordhoek this week:
The surf forecast for Noordhoek over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 13s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Noordhoek in the next 16 days are 4.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.3m 7s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Noordhoek over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the menu for the next couple of weeks.
First up, we’ve got a solid, powerful groundswell from the SW that’s going to light up Noordhoek. This is a reef set-up, and it’s very consistent, so there’s plenty to work with. The water temperature is sitting at 60°, which is a whopping 6° colder than usual for this time of year – that’s a serious chill, so you’ll want a thick steamer and maybe some booties if you’re heading out.
The real standout is Wednesday, the 19th of August, during the morning. We’re looking at 10 feet of SW swell with a period of 13 seconds, and the wind is glassy out of the north. The combined energy is pumping hard at 2630 (moderate to strong energy). This is an excellent session for experienced surfers – it’s big, it’s clean, and it’s going to be a hell of a ride. But listen, that’s only for the morning; by the afternoon, the wind swings onshore and it gets messy, so get your waves early.
Looking ahead, Thursday the 20th keeps the size up at 13 feet from the SW, but there’s a cross-offshore wind in the morning that’ll keep things clean. The wave energy is massive at 6111 (strong to very strong energy). That’s a lot of power, and with a 14-second period, it’s a proper groundswell. This is still expert territory, but it could be incredible if you can handle the juice.
Friday the 21st morning is another gem. The swell drops slightly to 8 feet from the SW, wind is glassy again from the east, and the energy is still moderate at 1742. That’s a really good window for intermediate to advanced surfers, with clean conditions and a long 12-second period.
After that, things get a bit dicey. The weekend sees strong winds, with the northwesterly howling on Saturday at 25 mph, making it clean but very windy. The swell holds around 8 feet to 10 feet, but it’s a battle with the breeze. Sunday the 23rd morning is a bright spot with a light cross-offshore wind and 8 feet of SW swell (1557 energy), which is still a good session for experienced surfers.
Moving into the second week, from the 24th of August onward, the swell starts to back off. The 26th and 27th drop to around 6 feet to 5 feet, and the winds are variable. It’s not a total write-off, but the quality drops. You’ll find some clean windows on the 24th morning with 7 feet and a cross-shore wind, and the 25th morning has 8 feet with a cross-shore breeze, but it’s not as powerful.
By the 28th of August, the wind is howling again at 25 mph, and the swell is either small or messy. The 29th sees a big 12 feet SW swell but with terrible onshore winds, making it a choppy, blown-out mess. Towards the end of the forecast, the first few days of September look weak, with small 4 feet to 6 feet swells and mostly onshore winds. The energy is low, dipping into the hundreds, so it’s not worth the paddle.
Overall, the best bet is Wednesday the 19th morning, with Friday the 21st morning as a close second. If you’re after size and power, Thursday the 20th morning is a big-wave option for experts only. After that, you’re chasing windows of clean, smaller surf.
Stay safe out there, and remember: the ocean isn’t going anywhere.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri morning, strong winds from the WSW by Sat morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Sat afternoon, calm by Sun night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 16 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
2306 | 1381 | 6455 | 5469 | 3010 | 1742 | 1420 | 1065 | 1342 | 3041 | 1562 | 1437 | 1303 | 1806 | 1292 | 1003 | 1944 | 1893 | 3842 | 2141 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 7:47PM1.47m | 8:00AM1.28m | 8:40PM1.33m | 9:23AM1.17m | 10:26PM1.24m | 12:01PM1.17m | 00:29AM1.27m | 1:26PM1.30m | 1:33AM1.37m | 2:08PM1.45m | 2:13AM1.49m | 2:40PM1.59m | 2:45AM1.61m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:49AM0.75m | 1:50PM0.76m | 2:50AM0.87m | 3:01PM0.91m | 5:32AM0.90m | 6:18PM0.93m | 7:15AM0.79m | 7:37PM0.81m | 7:57AM0.66m | 8:16PM0.69m | 8:27AM0.53m | 8:46PM0.56m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | |
5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 13 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 12 | ENE 7 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 14 |
2306 | 1381 | 6455 | 5469 | 3010 | 1742 | 1420 | 1065 | 1342 | 17 | 1562 | 1437 | 1303 | 1806 | 1292 | 747 | 1944 | 1863 | 3842 | 2141 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 6 | — | ENE 8 | SW 16 | SW 15 | E 9 | E 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 22 | SSW 17 | E 9 | — |
60 | 41 | 25 | 24 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 5 | 34 | — | 12 | 41 | 174 | 6 | 6 | 1003 | 96 | 1893 | 7 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 11 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SE 11 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 24 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 4 | SW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | E 5 | WSW 11 | SW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 4 |
10 | 344 | — | — | — | — | — | 36 | 439 | 3041 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 43 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 65 | 14 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 579 | 6 | 245 | 206 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 264 | 206 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape (South) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Noordhoek Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Noordhoek provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Noordhoek can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Noordhoek 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 (Noordhoek) 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 Noordhoek 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.
Noordhoek is 11 km (7 miles) from the city of Port Elizabeth. If you plan a holiday in Eastern Cape (South), look for hotels and other accommodation in Port Elizabeth. Port Elizabeth has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











