Noordhoek Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here.

First up, we’re looking at a pretty mixed bag for this stretch. The overall pattern is a battle between clean conditions and strong, messy winds. For the most part, the first week or so is a write-off for any quality surfing because of howling winds, but the back end of the period starts to clean up nicely.

Starting with today, Friday the 28th, it’s small and marginal. You’ll get a clean morning with a 4ft swell from the S (12 sec period) but the cross-off WSW wind at 12 mph is only just making it rideable. The wave energy is moderate (437). Afternoon sees a cleaner line but a full onshore wind makes it a no-go. Not the day to drop everything.

Saturday the 29th is a mess. Fresh to strong winds all day, with a building afternoon swell hitting 5ft from the SW. The cross-chop and lumpy conditions are ugly. A definite skip.

Sunday the 30th is bigger but blown out. We’re looking at a solid 8ft SW groundswell (12 sec period) by the afternoon, but the cross-onshore wind just chops it up. Combined wave energy is strong at 1486, but that energy is all junk. Not worth it.

Monday the 31st is a tease. The morning is clean with a 6ft SW swell (12 sec) and cross-off wind, but the combo of strong wind and that size makes it tricky to manage. It gets even messier in the afternoon. For experts only if you’re desperate.

Tuesday the 1st of September brings a little hope. The swell sits around 7ft to 8ft from the SW (11-12 sec period) and the morning is clean with a light breeze from the NE. The combined energy is moderate to strong (1076-1380). It’s still not perfect, but there will be some clean sets in the morning for those willing to work for it.

Now, the standout of the whole forecast. Wednesday the 2nd of September. The afternoon is an absolute beast for experts only. We have a huge 16ft SW groundswell rolling in with a very long 17-second period. The combined wave energy is massive (15146). The wind is a strong cross-off, keeping it clean. This is proper, heavy, big-wave territory at Noordhoek. Only for the experienced crew. Inconsistent? Not here, it’s very consistent, but crowds are possible.

That’s the peak. After that, it falls apart. Thursday the 3rd into Friday the 4th is a complete bust thanks to a strong onshore gale (34-50 mph) blowing everything out.

We get a quiet spell from Friday the 4th through to Sunday the 6th. Saturday the 5th is tiny with just 1ft, but clean in the afternoon. Sunday the 6th morning is actually a nice little clean up. A light 6 mph wind and a 2ft SSW groundswell with a very long 19-second period. The wave energy is low (279), but the conditions are clean. A good time for a longboard or a nose ride on a small, glassy day.

The second week looks more promising for cleanliness but weaker on size. Monday the 7th is clean but swelly with a 5ft SW swell (9 sec period) and strong cross-off winds, making it feel a bit bumpy. Tuesday the 8th is very clean in the morning – almost glassy – with a 4ft SW groundswell (14 sec period) and a light 3 mph ENE breeze. The wave energy is moderate (607). It’s small, but clean. The long period means the sets will be better shaped at this reef, though you’ll be waiting longer between them. Thursday the 10th has a solid 6ft SW swell (11 sec period) with a light offshore breeze in the morning. The combined energy is strong (1640). It looks clean with potential. That is the other real bright spot in the second week – a clean, solid, mid-range day. Friday the 11th drops off again.

For a spot like Noordhoek, it’s a very consistent break, so when the winds turn fickle like this, it’s frustrating. But Wednesday the 2nd of September afternoon is a monster day for experienced big-wave chargers, and Thursday the 10th morning offers a much more user-friendly, clean option with solid size. Those are your two best bets.

Rusty

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