Thermopylae surf break

Thermopylae surfForecast / Cape Town / South Africa

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 7 pm Tuesday 19 May 2026 SAST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Thermopylae surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Thermopylae sea temperature is
15.9° C
(Which is 1.2°C colder than average for this time of year)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Thermopylae this week:

The surf forecast for Thermopylae over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (May 20) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Thermopylae in the next 16 days are 3.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (May 25) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Monday (May 25) at 8PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Wed 20th May)6ft (1.9m) 9s
Best Surf 5PM (Mon 25th May)10ft (3.0m) 16s
Most Powerful 2PM (Mon 25th May)10ft (3.0m) 17s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thermopylae over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed afternoon, min 15°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon afternoon, min 16°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
20
Thursday
21
Friday
22
Saturday
23
Sunday
24
Monday
25
Tue
26
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
2
0
1
1
1
2
3
3
2
2
4
2
4
4
4
5
4
3
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.9
SSE
9
1.9
SE
9
1.1
SSE
11
0.5
SW
14
0.6
SW
13
0.4
SW
20
0.7
SW
18
0.9
SW
16
1
SW
16
1.3
SW
14
1.3
SW
13
0.9
SW
14
1.6
SW
14
1.4
SW
13
1.8
SW
16
2.4
SW
14
2.2
WSW
13
3
SW
16
2.5
SW
14
2.3
SW
13
2
SW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
599
502
303
96
138
136
314
443
492
667
543
350
1004
632
1571
2356
1752
4084
2344
1619
1129
Wind (km/h)
15
SE
5
E
5
SW
5
NNW
10
NNW
10
NW
10
N
10
N
5
SSE
10
SSE
15
S
10
S
10
SSE
10
S
10
SSE
10
SSE
10
SSE
10
SSE
5
NE
10
NW
15
NW
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
5:38AM1.65m
6:15PM1.65m
6:34AM1.52m
7:15PM1.57m
7:40AM1.40m
8:24PM1.51m
9:00AM1.32m
9:41PM1.48m
10:25AM1.31m
10:53PM1.50m
11:37AM1.34m
11:53PM1.54m
12:32PM1.39m
Low Tide
11:30PM0.47m
11:54AM0.42m
00:30AM0.57m
12:50PM0.54m
1:42AM0.65m
1:58PM0.64m
3:06AM0.69m
3:16PM0.70m
4:28AM0.67m
4:33PM0.71m
5:35AM0.63m
5:37PM0.69m
6:28AM0.57m
6:29PM0.66m
part cloud
clear
clear
cloud
clear
clear
clear
cloud
light rain
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:33
7:35
7:35
7:35
7:37
7:37
7:37
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:51
5:50
5:50
5:49
5:49
5:47
5:47
5:46
1
Temp °C
18
18
19
19
17
17
16
15
16
17
17
18
17
17
18
17
17
19
18
17
17
16
18
19
19
16
16
15
14
16
17
16
17
17
16
17
16
16
17
18
16
16
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
WSW
12
1.2
SSE
8
1.1
SSE
11
0.6
S
7
0.7
S
7
0.6
SW
12
0.7
SW
18
0.9
SW
16
1
SW
16
1.3
SW
14
1.3
SW
13
1
SW
12
1.6
SW
14
1.4
SW
13
1.8
SW
16
2.4
SW
14
2.2
WSW
13
3
SW
16
2.5
SW
14
2.3
SW
13
2
SW
12
Energy kJ
233
181
303
33
50
116
314
443
492
667
543
259
1004
632
1571
2356
1752
4084
2344
1619
1129
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
WSW
12
0.7
WSW
12
0.4
WSW
11
0.6
SW
13
0.5
S
7
0.7
SW
11
0.8
SW
11
0.9
SW
6
1.1
SSW
6
0.7
SSW
6
0.9
SW
14
0.1
SE
13
0.8
SW
16
0.2
SSE
12
0.2
SSE
11
0.9
SW
18
0.6
SSE
5
0.5
SSE
6
0.2
SSE
6
Energy kJ
180
119
47
138
23
126
134
58
87
35
350
7
326
14
12
570
20
21
4
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
SSE
11
0.3
SW
15
0.5
SW
14
0.2
SSE
11
0.4
SW
20
0.4
S
7
0.2
S
11
0.7
WSW
11
0.4
SW
16
0.1
S
9
0.1
W
11
0.2
SSE
12
0.6
SW
16
0.2
SSE
10
Energy kJ
71
35
96
11
136
14
9
101
94
2
2
14
163
10
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.9
SSE
9
1.9
SE
9
0.3
NW
2
0.4
NW
3
0.4
NNW
3
0.5
N
3
0.6
S
6
0.4
SSE
5
0.6
SSE
4
0.7
SSE
4
0.7
SSE
4
0.8
SE
5
0.5
NW
3
Energy kJ
599
502
1
3
4
6
22
9
10
16
18
30
5
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
2
1
1
1
2
3
3
3
3
3
4
3
4
4
4
5
4
3
3
Distance (km)
0
0
1
8
17
17
6
6
0
0
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
17
17
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Town
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
2
1
1
1
2
3
3
3
3
3
4
3
4
4
4
5
4
3
3
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
3
4
3
1
3
3
3
3
4
3
4
4
4
4
4
5
4
4
3
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
5
7
5
6
9
6
5
5
4
4
5
5
5
5
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Thermopylae Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Thermopylae provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Thermopylae can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Thermopylae 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 (Thermopylae) 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 Thermopylae 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 Thermopylae, 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 11 km (7 miles) away, Bellville, Atlantis and Kayamnandi.

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