Surf Forecasts:
Noordhoek surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 14s period, SW swell with 6,111 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 13s 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 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Noordhoek over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's going on.
We've got a mixed bag coming our way over the next couple of weeks. The big story is a serious run of south-west groundswell, but the wind is going to be the deciding factor. The water is running at 60°, which is a staggering 6° colder than the norm for this time of year – that’s a proper winter chill, so a thick wetsuit is non-negotiable.
Noordhoek is our only show in town, and it's going to be a tale of two halves. The standout window is very clear: early on Wednesday, 19th August. We’ve got a solid 10ft SW groundswell running with a 13-second period, and the wind is forecast to be glassy from the NW. That's a recipe for perfection at this reef. The wave energy is pumping at a heavy 2630, and with those conditions, it’ll be clean, lined-up, and offering some proper wedges. Crowds are a possibility here, but in conditions this good, you’ll have to deal with that anywhere. The swell size is at 10ft, so this is squarely for experienced surfers only – it'll be too much for the average weekend warrior.
The rest of the week is frustrating. The swell sticks around, but the wind gets ugly. Wednesday afternoon, the SW wind comes in at 35 km/h, turning things lumpy. Thursday morning (20th) is worth a look with 13ft SW groundswell at a 14-second period and a cross-off breeze. That’s a massive 6111 energy reading, meaning it’s gonna be a powerful, gnarly beast. Only for the very best, and the tide will be a factor. Friday sees onshore easterlies ruining it, and the weekend is blown out by strong WSW winds, making it a complete mess.
Looking further ahead, it’s a tough stretch. From the 25th onwards, we see a drop in size and quality. The wind keeps swinging onshore or is too strong. There’s a bit of a lull, but Monday, 31st August morning has a long-period (16-second) SSW swell rolling in, but it's a small 4ft with onshore wind. That kind of period is best for a point or reef, but here at a beach setup it might just close out. It’s a wait-and-see. The first week of September looks more of the same: lumpy surf and messy conditions. For the kiter surfers, the strong clean cross-off winds on the 22nd and 23rd with 10ft of swell might look more appealing than a paddle session.
Bottom line: Everything points hard to Wednesday morning the 19th. Get on it before everyone else does, and don’t forget that extra thermal.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Sat morning, light winds from the W by Sun night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | ||||||||||||||
PM | 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 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 8 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 2692 | 3185 | 2630 | 2418 | 1209 | 6111 | 5012 | 2859 | 1742 | 1347 | 984 | 2090 | 1367 | 2349 | 3359 | 2801 | 1799 | 1305 | 780 | 1791 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:09PM1.62m | 7:17AM1.41m | 7:47PM1.47m | 8:00AM1.28m | 8:40PM1.33m | 9:23AM1.17m | 10:26PM1.24m | 12:01PM1.17m | 00:29AM1.27m | 1:26PM1.30m | 1:33AM1.37m | 2:08PM1.45m | 2:13AM1.49m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:11AM0.62m | 1:11PM0.61m | 1:49AM0.75m | 1:50PM0.76m | 2:50AM0.87m | 3:01PM0.91m | 5:32AM0.90m | 6:18PM0.93m | 7:15AM0.79m | 7:37PM0.81m | 7:57AM0.66m | 8:16PM0.69m | ||||||||
 |  | | |  | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — |
 | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 11 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | E 9 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | E 7 | E 8 | ENE 8 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 2692 | 3185 | 2630 | 60 | 1209 | 6111 | 5012 | 2859 | 1742 | 1347 | 984 | 38 | 32 | 14 | 3359 | 2801 | 1799 | 1305 | 780 | 1791 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | — | E 5 | — | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | WSW 12 | E 10 |
| kJ | 94 | 88 | 61 | 60 | 41 | 24 | 24 | 14 | 14 | — | 28 | — | 35 | 14 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 438 | 8 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 14 | S 15 | ENE 10 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 246 | 215 | 10 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SW 12 | SW 7 | — | — | — | — | E 3 | ENE 5 | SW 11 | SW 8 | SW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 2418 | 515 | — | — | — | — | 7 | 34 | 2090 | 1367 | 2349 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 6 | 0 | 0 | 206 | 65 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 249 | 0 | 208 | 245 | 14 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape (South) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.
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