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Surf Forecasts:

Thermopylae surfForecast / Cape Town / South Africa
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
15.8° C
(Which is slightly cooler than normal)Thermopylae surf forecast from 29 May 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 30 May, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 13s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 29 May, 11PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 13s period, SW swell with 2,248 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 30 May, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 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 Saturday (May 30) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 13s period. 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 13s and forecast to arrive on Friday (May 29) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Jun 03) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sat 30th May) | 8ft (2.5m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sat 30th May) | 8ft (2.5m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Fri 29th May) | 8ft (2.5m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thermopylae over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun afternoon, min 14°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon night, min 13°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Mon night, strong winds from the SE by Wed morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 30 | Sunday 31 | Monday 1 | Tuesday 2 | Wednesday 3 | Thursday 4 | Fri 5 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | WSW 13 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSE 9 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 16 | SW 15 | |
2063 | 1261 | 813 | 827 | 739 | 734 | 544 | 785 | 1385 | 1083 | 771 | 476 | 905 | 1118 | 819 | 542 | 360 | 263 | 166 | 127 | 512 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | |
High Tide | 2:30AM1.63m | 3:00PM1.56m | 3:02AM1.63m | 3:33PM1.58m | 3:33AM1.61m | 4:06PM1.58m | 4:05AM1.58m | 4:39PM1.57m | 4:38AM1.54m | 5:13PM1.55m | 5:13AM1.49m | 5:49PM1.52m | 5:53AM1.43m | 6:30PM1.50m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:22PM0.58m | 8:47AM0.44m | 8:54PM0.57m | 9:16AM0.43m | 9:27PM0.57m | 9:46AM0.43m | 10:00PM0.59m | 10:17AM0.44m | 10:35PM0.61m | 10:49AM0.48m | 11:12PM0.64m | 11:24AM0.52m | 11:53PM0.67m | 12:02PM0.57m | |||||||
— | 7:41 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | |
5:45 | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Temp °C | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 16 |
14 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | WSW 13 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSE 7 | SW 15 |
2063 | 1261 | 813 | 827 | 739 | 734 | 544 | 785 | 1385 | 1083 | 771 | 476 | 905 | 1118 | 760 | 542 | 360 | 263 | 166 | 57 | 512 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SSE 4 | — | NW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 12 | SW 13 | SW 10 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | SW 15 | SW 10 | SSE 6 |
— | — | — | — | 4 | — | 6 | 19 | 17 | 12 | 7 | 104 | 191 | 112 | 89 | 37 | 18 | 8 | 34 | 110 | 26 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 12 | W 12 | — | NW 11 | NW 11 | SW 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | SW 16 | SE 10 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 3 | — | 5 | 5 | 36 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 127 | 14 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSE 3 | SSE 4 | SSE 5 | SE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | S 6 | S 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 9 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | SE 6 | SE 7 | SE 6 | SE 10 |
— | 8 | 18 | 24 | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | 156 | 442 | 401 | 196 | 819 | 372 | 193 | 207 | 136 | 133 | 328 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 11 | 3 | 87 | 52 | 174 | 177 | 8 | 1 | 138 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Town | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.












