Noordhoek Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. The forecast is for Noordhoek, a reef break that’s very consistent and exposed to the south-west swell. The water is sitting at 63°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year – you’ll definitely feel that extra chill on the hands.

Right now, Wednesday morning, it’s not happening. The swell is small, the wind is cross-off, and the conditions are labelled poor. The combined energy is weak (216). Afternoon picks up a little in size, but the wind is stronger and it’s still not worth paddling out.

Thursday morning is where the first real standouts show up. The swell jumps to 10 ft from the SW, with a 14-second period – that’s proper groundswell. The combined energy is strong (3095). The wind is light and cross-off, so the face will be clean. This is excellent for experienced surfers. It’s big enough to be too much for beginners, and the long period will make the sets a bit more spaced out, which helps with the paddle. Afternoon holds okay but the wind turns cross-shore, creating a bit of chop.

Friday looks even better. Another 10 ft SW swell in the morning, 12-second period, clean faces and a nice cross-off breeze. The energy is still high (2320). But the highlight of the whole week is Friday afternoon. The wind drops to glassy, flat calm, and the swell is still a solid 8 ft from the SW, 12-second period. The combined energy is strong (1849). That’s about as perfect as it gets for a reef break like this – clean, powerful, and the wind is dead still. This is the best on offer in the first week.

Saturday drops off a bit. The swell fades, the period goes short, and the wind is a bit messy. Sunday brings back a bigger swell, but the wind is howling at 19 mph in the afternoon, so it’s going to be a battle. The combined energy is very strong (3340), but it’s more about the wind than the wave quality.

Monday the 20th is a solid morning. 7 ft SW, 11-second period, light cross-off, clean, and the energy is moderate (1107). That’s a good, surfable day.

The big standout for the whole forecast is Tuesday the 21st. The morning delivers a huge 15 ft SW swell, 12-second period, and the wind is glassy. The combined energy is massive (9850). But here’s the thing: it’s too big for this break. It’s excellent for experts only, and even then, you’re going to be in over your head if you’re not fully confident. The afternoon is even bigger at 20 ft, which is a monster. That’s not a day for a casual paddle.

Wednesday the 22nd morning is still excellent for experienced surfers with a 12 ft SW swell, 14-second period, and light cross-off wind. The energy is very strong (4649). That’s another great session if you can handle the size.

The second week sees a few promising days. Thursday the 23rd has a 18 ft SW swell, which is again too big for most. But by Friday the 24th, it drops to 12 ft with a 15-second period and a light cross-off breeze. The combined energy is very strong (5987). That’s a beautiful, clean, long-period groundswell. It’s perfect for the reef, but the long period means it will be a bit more walled up than usual. Still, that’s the pick of the second week.

After that, the swell backs off. The 27th Monday morning has a small 5 ft SSW swell, but the period is 14 seconds and the wind is light, so it’s clean and rideable. The energy is moderate (1426). The end of the month looks poor, with onshore winds and ugly conditions, so don’t get your hopes up for the 29th and 30th.

Overall, the best two sessions are Friday afternoon (July 17) with glassy conditions and a solid 8 ft SW swell, and Friday morning (July 24) with a 12 ft SW, 15-second groundswell and light offshore wind. Those are the ones to circle on the calendar.

Rusty.

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