
Surf Forecasts:
Thermopylae surf forecast from 16 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 16 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 21 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 4,883 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 16 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period with SW swell.
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 Thursday (Jul 16) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 13s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Thermopylae in the next 16 days are 3.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Thu 16th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Thu 16th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Tue 21st Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thermopylae over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun afternoon, min 12°C on Mon morning). Winds increasing (calm on Sun morning, fresh winds from the NW by Tue afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wed 22 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
3705 | 2381 | 1534 | 1249 | 835 | 599 | 377 | 459 | 398 | 960 | 723 | 585 | 384 | 441 | 334 | 698 | 4491 | 4764 | 3912 | 2894 | 2649 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross | glassy | glassy | on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on |
High Tide | 4:33AM1.74m | 5:00PM1.83m | 5:16AM1.69m | 5:42PM1.80m | 5:59AM1.60m | 6:25PM1.72m | 6:43AM1.50m | 7:08PM1.63m | 7:28AM1.40m | 7:55PM1.52m | 8:20AM1.30m | 8:49PM1.42m | 9:27AM1.22m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:30PM0.32m | 10:44AM0.26m | 11:15PM0.34m | 11:25AM0.32m | 00:00AM0.40m | 12:05PM0.39m | 00:45AM0.48m | 12:46PM0.49m | 1:31AM0.57m | 1:29PM0.60m | 2:24AM0.66m | 2:19PM0.71m | 3:28AM0.73m | 3:26PM0.79m | |||||||
— | 7:48 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:46 | — | |
5:54 | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 5:59 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 3 | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 |
Feels °C | 15 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 10 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 |
3705 | 2381 | 1534 | 1249 | 835 | 599 | 377 | 459 | 398 | 960 | 723 | 585 | 384 | 441 | 334 | 698 | 4491 | 4764 | 3912 | 2894 | 2649 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | S 14 | S 13 | SW 14 | SW 12 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | SW 14 | SSW 15 | W 9 | SE 11 | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 15 | 51 | 187 | 392 | 116 | 143 | 133 | 123 | 92 | 191 | 568 | 14 | 5 | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 16 | S 11 | W 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 8 | SSE 9 | W 10 | WSW 12 | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 40 | 123 | 101 | 57 | 53 | 49 | 55 | 8 | 89 | 98 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 2 | W 9 | — | — | N 4 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 63 | — | — | 10 | 181 | 122 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 17 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 31 | 327 | 344 | 174 | 31 | 17 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Town | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











