Van Riebeek Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.70° S 18.44° E

Van Riebeek Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 25 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Van Riebeek sea temperature is
13.8°C
1.7° 

Van Riebeek surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Van Riebeek surf forecast from 25 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 14s period, WSW swell with cross-onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 8,121 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 26 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 13s period with SW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Van Riebeek this week:

The surf forecast for Van Riebeek over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 1.7m and 7s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Van Riebeek in the next 16 days are 4.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 2PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Wed 26th Aug)6ft (1.8m) 13s
Best Surf 2AM (Sun 30th Aug)7.5ft (2.3m) 14s
Most Powerful 8PM (Tue 1st Sep)15ft (4.5m) 14s

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


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 20°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Tue
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
!
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
3
1
3
!
!
!
!
3
0
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.1
WSW
14
1.7
WSW
13
1.3
WSW
13
1.3
WSW
12
1.3
SSW
11
1.4
SSW
11
1.4
SSW
11
1.2
SSW
11
0.8
WSW
16
1.2
WSW
14
1.2
WSW
13
1.3
WSW
13
1.4
WSW
14
2.3
WSW
14
2.4
WSW
13
2.3
SW
12
2.1
SW
12
1.8
SW
11
1.4
SW
11
1.4
SW
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1686
1045
578
525
446
471
455
363
280
553
454
586
778
2002
1857
1602
1180
799
447
467
Wind (km/h)
20
SSE
15
ESE
10
ESE
10
SE
5
N
10
WNW
5
WSW
5
SSE
5
SSW
10
S
5
SE
15
W
10
WNW
15
SSW
15
S
20
S
10
SSE
5
WSW
20
SW
5
NNW
Wind State
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
glassy
cross
on
cross
on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-off
High Tide
2:08PM1.31m
2:13AM1.33m
2:36PM1.42m
2:44AM1.41m
3:04PM1.52m
3:14AM1.47m
3:32PM1.59m
3:44AM1.50m
4:01PM1.63m
4:16AM1.50m
4:31PM1.63m
4:48AM1.47m
5:03PM1.59m
Low Tide
8:17PM0.34m
8:27AM0.21m
8:46PM0.24m
8:54AM0.14m
9:15PM0.16m
9:21AM0.09m
9:44PM0.10m
9:49AM0.07m
10:14PM0.07m
10:18AM0.07m
10:45PM0.07m
10:48AM0.11m
11:18PM0.11m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:11
7:11
7:09
7:09
7:07
7:05
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:22
6:23
6:23
6:24
6:25
6:25
6:27
 mm
1
Temp °C
20
17
18
24
22
19
19
16
19
20
16
15
16
14
14
15
13
13
13
12
Feels °C
16
14
15
22
22
17
17
15
18
18
14
13
14
12
10
9
8
11
10
9
  • 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 Van Riebeek Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Van Riebeek provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Van Riebeek can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Van Riebeek 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 (Van Riebeek) 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 Van Riebeek 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.

Van Riebeek is 13 km (8 miles) from the city of Robben Island. If you plan a holiday in Cape Town, look for hotels and other accommodation in Robben Island. Robben Island has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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