Thermopylae surf break

Thermopylae surfForecast / Cape Town / South Africa

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 7 pm Monday 18 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
16.2° C
(Which is slightly cooler than normal)

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 Tuesday (May 19) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 13s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 16s is also forecast. 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 2.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Monday (May 25) 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 1.2m 5s period and expected on Monday (May 25) at 2PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11AM (Tue 19th May)7ft (2.2m) 9s
Best Surf 8AM (Mon 25th May)8ft (2.5m) 15s
Most Powerful11AM (Mon 25th May)8ft (2.5m) 15s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Tue afternoon, min 17°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat afternoon, min 15°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
19
Wednesday
20
Thursday
21
Friday
22
Saturday
23
Sunday
24
Mon
25
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
4
3
3
4
3
2
0
1
1
2
3
3
3
2
4
2
4
4
5
4
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)
1.4
WSW
13
2.2
SSE
9
1.6
SSE
9
1.7
SSE
10
2.1
SE
9
1.8
SE
8
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
1
SW
14
1.4
SW
11
1.1
SW
13
2
SW
16
2.4
WSW
14
2.5
SW
15
2.5
SW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
662
781
443
495
668
449
96
138
116
314
443
492
667
543
407
479
400
1909
2187
3051
2200
Wind (km/h)
20
SE
15
SE
15
SSE
15
SE
5
E
10
SSW
5
NNE
10
NNW
10
NW
10
N
10
N
5
SW
5
SE
10
SSE
10
S
5
S
10
S
15
SSE
15
SSE
10
SE
15
SSE
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
glassy
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross
glassy
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
4:47AM1.77m
5:22PM1.72m
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
Low Tide
10:37PM0.40m
11:04AM0.32m
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
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
thunderstorm
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:33
7:33
7:35
7:35
7:35
7:37
7:37
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:52
5:51
5:50
5:50
5:49
5:49
5:47
5:47
1
1
Temp °C
18
18
21
18
18
20
19
18
18
16
16
17
17
17
19
18
18
19
17
18
20
15
17
20
16
18
20
19
17
17
15
15
17
17
17
18
18
18
17
15
16
19
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
WSW
13
1.2
WSW
13
1.1
WSW
13
0.9
WSW
12
1.3
SSE
9
0.9
SSE
8
0.8
SSE
8
0.6
SW
13
0.6
SW
12
0.8
SW
11
0.9
SW
16
1
SW
16
1.3
SW
14
1.3
SW
13
1.1
SW
12
1.4
SW
11
1.1
SW
13
2
SW
16
2.4
WSW
14
2.5
SW
15
2.5
SW
13
Energy kJ
649
458
414
260
251
113
75
138
116
174
443
492
667
543
337
479
400
1909
2187
3051
2200
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
S
17
0.1
S
16
0.2
SSE
14
0.1
S
20
0.8
WSW
12
0.7
WSW
12
0.4
WSW
11
0.6
S
7
0.5
S
7
0.7
SW
18
0.8
WSW
11
0.6
WSW
10
0.3
S
6
0.4
SW
16
1
SW
14
1
SW
14
1.1
SW
10
0.2
SSE
12
0.2
SSE
11
Energy kJ
6
5
20
8
180
121
47
37
26
314
128
86
6
94
407
379
220
13
12
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
SSE
11
0.5
SSE
11
0.5
SW
14
0.4
SE
8
0.4
SW
20
0.2
S
11
0.4
SSE
6
0.3
S
6
0.2
S
9
0.3
SW
4
0.1
S
9
0.5
SW
18
0.7
SW
17
Energy kJ
70
66
96
15
98
9
12
6
7
3
2
159
281
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.2
SSE
8
2.2
SSE
9
1.6
SSE
9
1.7
SSE
10
2.1
SE
9
1.8
SE
8
0.2
NNW
2
0.2
NNW
2
0.5
NNW
3
0.3
SSE
5
0.5
S
4
0.5
SE
3
0.5
SSE
3
0.9
SSE
4
1.2
S
6
Energy kJ
662
781
443
495
668
449
1
1
6
6
9
6
6
26
104
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
3
3
4
3
2
1
1
2
3
3
3
3
3
4
3
4
4
5
4
Distance (km)
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
6
17
6
6
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Town
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
3
4
3
2
1
1
2
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
5
4
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
4
1
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
5
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
5
5
5
4
4
4
5
5
7
5
5
7
9
5
4
4
5
6
  • 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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