Noordhoek Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Noordhoek. This stretch of reef is fairly exposed to the southwest swell, and it’s very consistent, so there’s always something in the water. The water temp feels about average for this time of year, nothing too wild.

Right off the bat, there’s a messy start. Monday 27 July has a 6ft SW swell with a 12-second period, but that 22 mph WSW cross-off wind is strong, making for clean but very tricky conditions. The combined swell energy hits 1896 (moderate to strong), so there’s power, but it’s not beginner-friendly at that size. The afternoon turns worse with rain and an 8ft swell, cross-on wind, and you can forget it. Tuesday and Wednesday are a write-off – an 12ft swell on Tuesday morning, but it’s onshore and choppy. The wind is all wrong, and that 12ft is only for experts if it were clean, which it isn’t.

We get a bit of a reprieve on Thursday 30 July morning. The swell drops to 6ft from the SSW, period 13 seconds, and the wind swings NNE at 9 mph, giving us a clean, cross-off breeze. The combined energy is 1253, that’s moderate but solid. It’s a decent window but only the morning session; the afternoon gets cross-on and choppy again. Friday 31 July morning is marginal with a 5ft SW swell, but that cross-on wind just kills it.

The weekend is not much to write home about – Saturday 1 August has a weak 4ft swell and strong, messy winds. Sunday 2 August sees a jump back up to 6ft SSW swell with a very long 20-second period, but the wind is cross-shore and lumpy. That long period is better for points and reefs, so at a reef break like this it could be interesting, but the wind spoils it.

Now, here’s the standout. Monday 3 August morning. The swell is 7ft from the SW with a 15-second period, giving us solid groundswell, and the wind is a light 6 mph from the west – cross-off and clean. The combined swell energy is 1941, which is strong, and the forecast says excellent surf for experienced surfers. That is the pick of the early week. It’s going to be powerful, clean, and organised. This is for surfers who know what they’re doing – over 5ft and into the 7ft range, so not for beginners.

Tuesday 4 August has strong wind again, but Wednesday 5 August morning gives us another little window: a smaller 5ft SW swell with only 3 mph NNE wind, cross-off and clean. That’s a good, smaller option for a relaxed session.

Then we get another cracker. Thursday 6 August morning. The swell is 8ft from the SW, period 14 seconds, combined energy 2203 (strong), and the wind is a gentle cross-off from the WSW at 9 mph. This is shaping up as excellent for experienced surfers. Clean, powerful waves.

Friday 7 August holds a big 10ft SW swell in the morning, cross-off wind, but the afternoon is where it gets special. The wind goes glassy – 3 mph from the south – and the swell is 8ft with a 15-second period. The combined energy is 2942, very strong. This is another one for the experts: clean, glassy, big groundswell. A memorable session if you’re up for it.

Saturday 8 August stays big, 10ft SW swell both sessions, but the wind is cross or cross-on, so it’s lumpy and harder to manage. Sunday 9 August is more manageable at 7ft, with light NNE cross-off wind in the morning – clean again – so a solid option.

After that, things taper off. Monday 10 August and Tuesday 11 August drop to smaller swell, and while the wind stays cross-off, the energy is weak (down to 388 to 630) and the waves are marginal. Not much to chase there.

For the whole run, the best is Thursday 6 August morning and Friday 7 August afternoon – those are the standout sessions. Get on it early, but know this is not a spot for beginners when it’s over 5ft, and it's going to be well overhead at times. The reef handles the long-period groundswell well, and the sets will have plenty of push. Keep an eye on the crowds – Noordhoek can be busy sometimes, but with these conditions, there might be a few out. Stay safe.

Rusty.

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