
Surf Forecasts:
Noordhoek surf forecast from 9 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 11 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 7,786 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 11 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 14s 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 Friday (Sep 11) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 14s 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 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 4.0m 9s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Fri 11th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Fri 11th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Noordhoek over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, let’s get into it. Right now, the surf is a bit of a mixed bag for our stretch of coast. We’ve got some size coming, but the winds are going to be the big story for the first few days, and honestly, it’s going to be a bit of a fight to find anything clean. But don't write it off just yet, because there are a couple of gems hidden in there if you're patient.
We start off on Thursday the 10th. It’s small and a little messy with a cross-off breeze, maybe 4ft of southwest swell at 13 seconds. The energy is weak, only 682. It’s not really doing much. We’re better off waiting. The waves are there, but the conditions are just too doubtful to get excited about.
Friday the 11th sees a bit more size, 6ft, but the wind swings onshore and it gets choppy. The energy picks up to 1133, so there’s some push, but it’s not going to be pretty. The afternoon is a total write-off with a 0 score. Saturday and Sunday are looking pretty poor, onshore winds and messy conditions. The swell does build, hitting 7ft on Sunday morning, with energy jumping to 2195, but it’s accompanied by 35 km/h cross-onshore winds. That's a full-blown mess. This isn't paddle surfing, that’s more like kite-surfing territory.
Monday the 14th is smaller and still not great. We’re in a bit of a lull. The energy drops right down. However, Tuesday the 15th morning clears up. Winds go light, we have a clean 4ft southwest swell at 11 seconds. It’s small, but it’s clean. It might be one of those days you take the log out for a cruise. Energy is still low, just 452. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
Then, hold on to your boards, because Wednesday the 16th we get a big pulse. The swell jumps to 13ft, but it’s all over the place, with a short 9-second period. The energy is huge, 3819, but it’s coming with strong cross-shore winds. It’s going to be a washing machine out there. This is for experts only, and even then, it looks pretty awful. We’re probably sitting that one out.
Thursday the 17th backs off a bit to 8ft, with a better 13-second period. The morning looks glassy with light winds. There’s a lot of energy, 1927. It could be okay, but it’s still a bit uncertain.
Friday the 18th is blown out again, with near-gale force winds. Forget it.
But then, here’s the standout. On Saturday the 19th, everything lines up. We’ve got a solid 6ft of southwest swell, with a long 16-second period. Winds are light offshore, and the energy is at 1493. The forecast is saying “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” This is the one to circle. It’s going to be proper, with clean faces and some real power behind it. This is the best morning of the whole period, no question.
Sunday the 20th sees more size, but the wind is on it again, and it gets messy. The swell is up to 8ft in the morning, and 12ft in the afternoon, with energy spiking to 4238, but it’s not going to be clean.
Monday the 21st is interesting. The swell is big, 12ft, and the period is a long 16 seconds. The energy is huge, 6016, the biggest of the whole run. The winds are light and cross-shore in the morning. It’s a big day, a real groundswell. This kind of long-period swell can be tricky though, especially at a beach break. It might be straight and closed out. But at the reef here at Noordhoek, it could be something special. Still, with that size, it’s for experts only.
The 22nd and 23rd are back to onshore and blown out. The swell fades, and it all gets a bit miserable. There’s a bit of size on the 22nd but the wind kills it. The 23rd is just howling.
The 24th sees the swell bottom out, with small waves. It’s not worth mentioning. Finally, on Thursday the 25th, we see a little pulse of energy, 5ft at 14 seconds. The winds are light again, so it could be a small but clean end to the run.
So, to sum it up: the window is really narrow. The only two mornings that look truly worth the paddle are Saturday the 19th – that’s the standout, no question. And if you’re an expert looking for a serious challenge, Monday the 21st could be a big one, but it’s a gamble. The rest of the time, be prepared to pick your moments and keep your expectations low.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 27°C on Wed night, min 17°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Wed night, fresh winds from the E by Sat afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Sat night. Warm (max 21°C on Mon afternoon, min 16°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the E on Sat night, light winds from the S by Tue afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | ||||||||||||||
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 13 | SW 13 | SSW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
273 | 473 | 1155 | 1902 | 1109 | 888 | 614 | 427 | 730 | 2799 | 2169 | 1604 | 857 | 494 | 398 | 268 | 357 | 505 | 1307 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 3:02AM1.80m | 3:20PM1.95m | 3:36AM1.87m | 3:54PM2.02m | 4:08AM1.89m | 4:25PM2.02m | 4:38AM1.86m | 4:55PM1.98m | 5:07AM1.80m | 5:24PM1.89m | 5:36AM1.71m | 5:52PM1.77m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:00PM0.31m | 9:09AM0.25m | 9:33PM0.23m | 9:40AM0.19m | 10:04PM0.19m | 10:09AM0.17m | 10:33PM0.20m | 10:37AM0.20m | 11:01PM0.26m | 11:04AM0.26m | 11:28PM0.34m | 11:31AM0.36m | 11:55PM0.45m | ||||||
— | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | |
6:04 | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 4 | — | — | 4 | — | 3 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 19 |
Feels °C | 25 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 15 | 19 | 19 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | SW 13 | SSW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 |
243 | 473 | 1155 | 1902 | 1109 | 888 | 614 | 427 | 730 | 2799 | 2169 | 1604 | 857 | 1849 | 1716 | 1575 | 835 | 505 | 688 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | ENE 9 | SW 12 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSW 15 | SSW 10 | — | SSE 9 | — | — | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | E 10 | SW 18 |
273 | 169 | 455 | 110 | 113 | 70 | 88 | 191 | 114 | — | 26 | — | — | 494 | 398 | 268 | 357 | 467 | 1307 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SSW 18 | ENE 9 | S 5 | SSE 5 | — | S 14 | SE 13 | WSW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 4 | SSW 16 | SSW 23 | E 10 |
22 | 209 | 135 | 22 | 24 | — | 4 | 7 | 171 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 95 | 213 | 326 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 5 | WSW 5 | — | — | E 9 | E 6 | E 7 | ESE 7 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | — | — | — | SE 3 | — |
— | 52 | 44 | — | — | 207 | 156 | 345 | 545 | 1286 | 1585 | 2214 | 2578 | 2423 | — | — | — | 2 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 7 | 65 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 264 | 206 | 264 | 661 | 264 | 264 | 264 | 6 | 38 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 207 | 6 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape (South) | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.










