
Surf Forecasts:
Van Riebeek surf forecast from 30 Jun 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 30 Jun, 5PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 12s period, SW swell with cross-onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 6 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SW swell with 2,801 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 30 Jun, 5PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 12s 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 Tuesday (Jun 30) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.4m and 12s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-onshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Van Riebeek in the next 16 days are 3.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 06) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 04) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5PM (Tue 30th Jun) | 8ft (2.4m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 5PM (Tue 30th Jun) | 8ft (2.4m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Mon 6th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Van Riebeek over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 10°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 30 | Wednesday 1 | Thursday 2 | Friday 3 | Saturday 4 | Sunday 5 | Monday 6 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 13 | W 9 | W 8 | SW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | WSW 10 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
2099 | 1659 | 1272 | 944 | 1834 | 1216 | 747 | 722 | 444 | 445 | 386 | 162 | 660 | 513 | 315 | 310 | 472 | 1369 | 2522 | 2319 | 2633 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:50PM1.36m | 3:54AM1.36m | 4:24PM1.38m | 4:28AM1.36m | 4:57PM1.40m | 5:02AM1.33m | 5:31PM1.40m | 5:37AM1.30m | 6:06PM1.39m | 6:15AM1.25m | 6:44PM1.37m | 6:59AM1.20m | 7:27PM1.34m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:38AM0.21m | 9:55PM0.32m | 10:10AM0.19m | 10:29PM0.31m | 10:41AM0.20m | 11:03PM0.32m | 11:12AM0.21m | 11:39PM0.33m | 11:44AM0.24m | 00:16AM0.35m | 12:19PM0.29m | 00:58AM0.37m | 12:59PM0.35m | 1:48AM0.38m | |||||||
7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | |
— | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 19 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 13 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | WSW 10 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 |
2099 | 1659 | 1272 | 944 | 1834 | 1216 | 747 | 722 | 444 | 445 | 339 | 148 | 660 | 513 | 315 | 310 | 472 | 1369 | 2522 | 2319 | 2633 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SSW 15 | — | — | SSW 6 | WSW 14 | W 6 | SW 10 | SW 12 | SW 9 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 15 | — | — | WSW 11 |
— | — | — | 382 | — | — | 48 | 78 | 48 | 240 | 259 | 162 | 127 | 226 | 284 | 144 | 260 | 640 | — | — | 24 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 15 | SW 15 | WSW 12 | SSE 8 | SW 19 | SW 12 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | WSW 10 | SW 19 | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 22 | 33 | 82 | 6 | 58 | 83 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 43 | 14 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | S 7 | — | — | NNW 3 | N 3 | NNE 4 | W 8 | NNW 3 | — | — | N 4 | N 4 | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | 127 | — | — | 1 | 5 | 5 | 386 | 3 | — | — | 9 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 5 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 79 | 44 | 0 | 39 | 46 | 46 | 39 | 46 | 46 | 46 | 46 | 13 | 0 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 5 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Town | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.









