Noordhoek Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, let’s have a look at what’s on offer. The finder is only pointing at one spot for this whole 16-day window, so we’re locked in on Noordhoek (reef). It’s a very consistent break, fairly exposed to the SW, and it likes swell from the SW – which is exactly what we’re getting. The water is sitting at 63°F right now, and that’s 4°F colder than normal for this time of year, so it’s a fair bit chillier than usual. The first few days are a write-off, I’m sorry to say. Friday 31 July through to Sunday 2 August, the wind is a mess – strong cross and cross-on breezes in the 15 to 25 mph range, and the surf is poor. The swell is there, around 3 ft to 5 ft from the SW, but the wind is ruining it completely. Monday 3 August is marginal at best, with a gentle cross-shore and 4 ft swell, but the energy is moderate (604) and it’s not clean enough to get excited about. Tuesday 4 August morning sees a cleaner window with a cross-offshore wind from the N and 5 ft swell, but it’s only a 1/10 score, so it’s still a marginal call. The real standout in the first week is Wednesday 5 August morning. The wind goes glassy, dead calm from the S at 3 mph, with a 3 ft SW swell and a period of 11 seconds. The energy is moderate (295), but that glassy surface will make it incredibly clean. It’s a small but perfect morning for a longboard or a funboard. That afternoon, the swell jumps to 7 ft (energy 1999) and the wind swings to a gentle cross-shore, so it’s bigger but a bit lumpy. Then we hit Thursday 6 August morning – and this is a big one. The swell is 18 ft from the SW with a period of 13 seconds, and the combined energy is a massive 10467. The wind is a cross-offshore from the W at 15 mph, keeping it clean. But honestly, 18 ft is only for experts; it’s too big for intermediates and beginners. The afternoon on Thursday sees the wind go cross-on and choppy, so that window is gone. Friday 7 August is still big, around 10 ft, but the wind is messy. The next absolute standout is Saturday 8 August morning. The swell is 10 ft from the SW, period 14 seconds, and the wind is glassy from the W at 3 mph. The energy is 2734 – strong. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers, with clean, glassy conditions. This is the best on offer in the whole run. The morning of Sunday 9 August is also very good: 13 ft SW swell, period 12 seconds, with a clean cross-offshore wind from the N at 15 mph. The energy is 4045, strong, but it’s a bit bigger and the wind is stronger, so Saturday morning is the pick. After that, the swell drops off through Monday 10 and Tuesday 11 August, with smaller waves and onshore winds returning. Wednesday 12 August sees a big 12 ft to 13 ft swell return, but the wind is cross and cross-on, making it lumpy. The standout in the second week is Thursday 13 August morning. The wind goes offshore from the NW at 9 mph, with a 12 ft SW swell, period 12 seconds, and energy of 3256. That’s clean, offshore, and solid – excellent for experienced surfers. Then, the very last day of the forecast, Saturday 15 August morning, is a beauty. The swell is 13 ft from the WSW, period 11 seconds, with a light offshore breeze from the WNW at 6 mph. The energy is a massive 6163, and it’s clean. That’s a serious, powerful swell with offshore wind – another one for the experts, but a real treat. So, to sum it up: the first couple of days are a complete loss due to wind. The best windows are Wednesday 5 August morning for small, glassy fun, and then Saturday 8 August morning for the big, clean, glassy swell. Thursday 13 August morning and Saturday 15 August morning are also worth circling for the experienced crew. No crowds are mentioned, so it might be a quiet spread. Stay warm, that water is cold. Rusty.

Read more