Surf Forecasts:
Off The Wall surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SW swell with 3,555 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Off The Wall this week:
The surf forecast for Off The Wall over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 12s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Off The Wall in the next 16 days are 3.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Off The Wall over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, it's Rusty here. Let's talk about what's out there. This run has a few proper sessions and some periods you’ll want to sleep through. We’re looking at a shift from clean, powerful surf to a few days of onshore junk and then a final blast of serious size.
Wednesday morning kicks us off with a clean 8ft of southwest swell at Off The Wall (Big Island). The energy is moderate at 1866, with a 12-second period. It's a reef setup, so it's only for the sharp ones, but that cross-off breeze is keeping the surface nice. It's not massive, but it's a clean start. The afternoon keeps the vibe similar with 8ft. The water temp is about normal for this time of year.
Now, Thursday the 20th morning is one of the best calls of this whole window. The swell jumps to a strong 10ft from the southwest with a longer 13-second period, and the energy is firmly in the strong category at 3422. With a light cross-off wind, it's going to be pristine. This is a proper, powerful, advanced wave. The lineup might have a few regulars out, as crowds are possible.
Friday pulls back to a still-fun 7ft in the morning, but the period drops to 11 seconds. It's a step down from Thursday's glory. The afternoon is smaller again, at 5ft.
Saturday the 22nd is a total dud for surfers. The morning is weak at 3ft and messy, and the afternoon is blown out with a northerly wind. The best you could say is it might be okay for kites. Sunday the 23rd brings the size and power back with a 10ft WSW swell at a 13-second period; it's clean, but it's a handful.
Monday the 24th settles down to 5ft. It’s fine, but forgettable. Tuesday the 25th is the other standout of the week. A 8ft southwest swell with a long 14-second period arrives, and we score a proper offshore wind out of the southeast. It's going to be glassy perfection. The energy is strong at 2050. This is a day to call in sick for.
The middle of the week gets junky. Wednesday the 26th and Thursday the 27th are small and bumpy with onshore breezes, in the 4ft to 6ft range. Not worth the paddle.
The ocean wakes up again on Friday the 28th with a solid 8ft, and then Saturday the 29th is the big one. The swell holds at 10ft, the winds clock offshore, and the energy is pumping at 3978. This is heavy, powerful surf. Sunday the 30th is a wild, stormy affair. There's still 10ft of swell, but a near-gale offshore wind at 50 km/h will make it nearly impossible to get out.
The start of September has some long-period swells, but the onshore winds are going to ruin the quality. And the final day, Thursday the 3rd, is a legit giant. We're talking 20ft of swell with a 14-second period and an energy reading of 24296. That's a life-threatening amount of water. Only the most crazy are even thinking about that.
So, for the best combination of size, clean conditions, and overall quality, mark Thursday the 20th and Tuesday the 25th. The 29th has the size but it's a battle. The 3rd is for the specialists.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun afternoon, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 10 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
2495 | 1866 | 1638 | 1818 | 3422 | 2618 | 1422 | 1046 | 485 | 427 | 229 | 1024 | 3449 | 2480 | 1937 | 1355 | 648 | 446 | 1712 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 7:19AM1.32m | 7:41PM1.38m | 8:14AM1.22m | 8:42PM1.27m | 9:53AM1.16m | 10:27PM1.21m | 11:59AM1.20m | 00:10AM1.25m | 1:03PM1.31m | 1:08AM1.34m | 1:42PM1.42m | 1:47AM1.44m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:15AM0.65m | 1:14PM0.71m | 2:05AM0.76m | 2:09PM0.83m | 3:29AM0.83m | 3:59PM0.91m | 5:24AM0.82m | 6:03PM0.88m | 6:38AM0.74m | 7:07PM0.78m | 7:23AM0.64m | 7:47PM0.67m | |||||||
— | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | |
6:17 | — | 6:19 | — | — | 6:19 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:21 | — | — | 6:21 | — | — | 6:22 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 9 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | WSW 10 | SW 10 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | SW 14 |
2495 | 1866 | 1638 | 1818 | 3422 | 2618 | 1422 | 1046 | 485 | 427 | 229 | 1024 | 3449 | 2480 | 1937 | 1355 | 648 | 446 | 1712 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | SSW 11 | WSW 16 | — | — | SSW 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | W 11 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 346 | 379 | 291 | 218 | 53 | — | — | 387 | 73 | 223 | 347 | 191 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 13 | — | — | — | — | — | SW 14 | SSW 14 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 69 | — | — | — | — | — | 46 | 134 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 5 | — | NNW 3 | — | — | — | — | SSE 3 | SSE 3 | S 4 | SSE 4 |
24 | — | — | — | — | — | 16 | 92 | 62 | — | 8 | — | — | — | — | 6 | 5 | 9 | 35 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 12 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Town | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Off The Wall Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Off The Wall provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Off The Wall can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Off The Wall 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 (Off The Wall) 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 Off The Wall 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.
Are you planning a holiday in Cape Town? If you are looking for accommodation near Off The Wall, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Cape Town, consider staying in Cape Town which is 8 km (5 miles) away. Other places in and around Cape Town where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Robben Island which is 12 km (7 miles) away, Bellville, Atlantis and Kayamnandi.











