Van Riebeek surfForecast / Cape Town / South Africa

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 1 am Friday 17 Apr 2026 SAST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Van Riebeek surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Van Riebeek sea temperature is
16.6° C
(Which is 1.2°C colder than average for this time of year)

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 Friday (Apr 17) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 20s. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Van Riebeek in the next 16 days are 4.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Apr 22) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Apr 19) at 8AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11AM (Fri 17th Apr)8ft (2.5m) 12s
Best Surf11AM (Fri 17th Apr)8ft (2.5m) 12s
Most Powerful 2PM (Wed 22nd Apr)13ft (4.0m) 16s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 45mm), heaviest during Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Fri afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Fri night, strong winds from the NW by Sun afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
!
!
!
!
!
3
!
0
0
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
0
!
!
!
4
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2.5
WSW
2.5
WSW
3
WSW
3
SW
2.5
SW
2.1
WSW
2.5
SW
4
WSW
4.5
WSW
4
SW
4
SW
3.5
SW
3
SW
3
SSW
4
SSW
4
SSW
4
SSW
3.5
SSW
3
SSW
2.4
SSW
1.9
SSW
Period(s) (?)12111213119101112141413131213161615141313
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)20711733252927111500643120137135067633760343789251531194824850385765311315119301217
Wind
(km/h)
25
NW
15
NNW
10
N
25
NNW
25
NNW
20
N
45
NNW
40
WNW
30
W
15
WNW
20
WNW
15
NNW
20
N
15
WNW
15
SSE
25
SSE
25
S
15
SE
10
ESE
10
S
10
ESE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
crosscross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
3:17PM
1.58
3:27AM
1.72
3:56PM
1.58
4:07AM
1.69
4:37PM
1.53
4:50AM
1.59
5:21PM
1.44
5:36AM
1.46
6:11PM
1.33
6:31AM
1.30
7:15PM
1.22
7:43AM
1.15
8:41PM
1.15
Low Tide
/ height (m)
9:09AM
-0.07
9:18PM
0.04
9:47AM
-0.08
9:57PM
0.05
10:27AM
-0.04
10:39PM
0.11
11:09AM
0.06
11:24PM
0.21
11:56AM
0.19
12:18AM
0.33
12:52PM
0.33
1:28AM
0.46
2:07PM
0.45
3:11AM
0.53
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Sunrise7:09--7:09--7:11--7:11--7:11--7:13--7:13--
Sunset-6:21--6:20--6:19--6:17--6:15--6:15--6:14-
rain showers
heavy rain
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
mod rain
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
1195224273------------
Temp. °C161414161715171615161615161716171815172221
Feels °C (?)111111111112987121112121314111310141919
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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