Van Riebeek Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.70° S 18.44° E

Van Riebeek Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 01 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Van Riebeek sea temperature is
13.3° C
2.1° 

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 1 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 5 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 6 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with 5,313 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 1 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 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 Saturday (Aug 01) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 13s period. 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 4.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 06) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 2PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Sat 1st Aug)4ft (1.2m) 13s
Best Surf11AM (Wed 5th Aug)7ft (2.1m) 14s
Most Powerful 2AM (Thu 6th Aug)13ft (4.0m) 14s

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


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 11°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sat
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
Friday
7
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
2
3
3
3
2
3
1
1
2
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
SW
13
1.2
SW
13
1.2
SW
13
1.2
SW
12
1.4
SW
13
1.4
SW
12
1.3
WSW
13
1.6
SW
12
1.4
SW
11
1.1
SW
11
0.7
SW
14
2.1
SW
14
2.5
WSW
14
4
WSW
14
3.5
SW
13
3.5
SW
13
3.5
SW
13
3
SW
13
3
SW
13
3
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
494
486
486
442
669
619
606
683
431
258
206
1728
2618
5313
4718
4323
3937
3201
2887
3305
Wind (km/h)
5
SW
10
ENE
10
NNE
5
W
0
E
5
ENE
5
SSW
5
E
10
SSE
10
SSW
10
NNE
15
N
20
NW
15
NNE
10
ESE
10
S
5
SE
5
SE
10
WSW
15
NW
Wind State
on
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
glassy
glassy
on
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
glassy
glassy
on
cross
High Tide
5:03PM1.53m
5:13AM1.39m
5:34PM1.52m
5:48AM1.34m
6:08PM1.47m
6:28AM1.27m
6:48PM1.41m
7:15AM1.19m
7:38PM1.32m
8:20AM1.10m
8:48PM1.23m
9:52AM1.05m
10:22PM1.20m
Low Tide
11:13PM0.20m
11:16AM0.16m
11:47PM0.21m
11:48AM0.21m
00:24AM0.25m
12:25PM0.29m
1:09AM0.31m
1:11PM0.39m
2:07AM0.39m
2:13PM0.48m
3:28AM0.44m
3:47PM0.55m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:37
7:37
7:35
7:35
7:33
7:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:06
6:07
6:07
6:07
6:08
6:09
6:09
 mm
2
3
Temp °C
23
21
19
20
18
18
19
17
17
17
15
14
16
14
11
14
13
13
14
13
Feels °C
21
18
16
19
16
17
17
14
15
15
14
11
12
12
9
11
11
13
12
11
  • 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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