Van Riebeek Surf Break

Van Riebeek Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Lat Long: 33.70° S 18.44° E

Issued: 7 pm 16 Jun 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Van Riebeek sea temperature is
13.7° C

2.5°C colder than average for this time of year

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 16 Jun 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 17 Jun, 11PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 18 Jun, 8AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 15s period, SW swell with 2,534 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 16 Jun, 11PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 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 16) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 1.4m and 7s. 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 2.3m 15s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jun 18) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Jun 21) at 8AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Tue 16th Jun)5.5ft (1.7m) 12s
Best Surf11PM (Wed 17th Jun)7ft (2.1m) 14s
Most Powerful 8AM (Thu 18th Jun)7.5ft (2.3m) 15s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sat afternoon, min 17°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tue
23
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
3
!
0
2
4
3
3
3
2
2
3
3
4
2
3
4
4
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
SW
11
1.5
SW
13
1.8
SW
13
1.7
SW
16
2.3
SW
14
2.1
SW
14
1.8
SW
13
1.6
SW
12
1
WSW
12
1.5
SW
12
1.3
SW
12
1.2
SW
12
1.1
SW
11
1.6
SW
14
1.8
SW
14
1.8
WSW
13
1.7
WSW
12
1.7
WSW
12
1.8
WSW
12
1.6
SW
12
1.8
SW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
685
792
1083
1456
2247
1641
1144
798
294
624
486
383
308
920
1285
1151
871
885
892
689
843
Wind (km/h)
15
SE
10
SE
15
S
15
SE
15
SE
20
SSE
20
SE
15
ESE
10
ESE
15
E
10
ENE
5
SSW
15
NE
5
NNE
5
NW
5
NNE
5
NW
5
SW
5
ESE
5
W
10
SW
Wind State
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
glassy
off
off
cross
off
cross
glassy
glassy
glassy
on
High Tide
4:39AM1.53m
5:12PM1.53m
5:29AM1.44m
6:01PM1.50m
6:20AM1.34m
6:53PM1.44m
7:15AM1.23m
7:47PM1.37m
8:14AM1.13m
8:44PM1.30m
9:21AM1.07m
9:45PM1.24m
10:33AM1.05m
Low Tide
10:32PM0.13m
10:55AM0.05m
11:24PM0.17m
11:42AM0.12m
00:18AM0.23m
12:30PM0.22m
1:14AM0.31m
1:20PM0.32m
2:15AM0.38m
2:15PM0.42m
3:20AM0.43m
3:18PM0.50m
4:28AM0.45m
4:28PM0.54m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:48
7:48
7:50
7:50
7:50
7:50
7:50
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:44
5:44
5:44
5:44
5:45
5:45
5:45
5:45
 mm
Temp °C
15
15
18
16
15
17
15
16
21
19
22
25
24
22
24
19
18
19
18
18
18
Feels °C
12
12
16
15
13
14
11
13
19
17
19
23
22
21
23
18
17
18
17
18
17
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
SW
11
1.5
SW
13
1.8
SW
13
1.7
SW
12
2.3
SW
14
2.1
SW
14
1.8
SW
13
1.6
SW
12
1
WSW
12
1.5
SW
12
1.3
SW
12
1.2
SW
12
1.1
SW
11
1.6
SW
14
1.8
SW
14
1.8
WSW
13
1.7
WSW
12
1.7
WSW
12
1.8
WSW
12
1.6
SW
12
1.8
SW
12
Energy kJ
685
792
1083
874
2247
1641
1144
798
294
624
486
383
308
920
1285
1151
871
885
892
689
843
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SW
15
0.6
WSW
12
0.4
SW
20
1.7
SW
16
0.1
SW
20
1.1
S
7
1
S
8
0.3
SW
18
0.4
SW
16
0.5
SW
15
0.6
SW
15
0.4
SSW
8
1.2
SW
13
1.2
WSW
10
0.9
SW
22
Energy kJ
80
96
97
1456
15
126
110
49
91
116
174
23
451
324
671
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
SW
11
0.5
SW
16
0.9
SW
12
0.3
SW
18
0.1
SW
20
0.4
SW
17
0.5
SW
16
Energy kJ
19
129
248
49
15
103
130
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
S
7
1
S
7
1.3
S
6
1.4
SSE
6
1.2
S
6
1.6
S
6
1.2
S
6
0.6
NNW
4
0.7
NW
5
0.3
WNW
4
Energy kJ
138
89
130
150
98
166
112
12
22
2
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
2
2
3
3
4
2
3
4
4
4
Distance (km)
1
1
4
1
10
325
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
39
0
39
0
0
0
23
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Town
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
2
2
3
3
4
2
3
4
4
4
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
5
4
4
4
4
4
3
2
3
3
3
4
3
3
4
4
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
4
5
5
4
5
6
6
6
4
4
7
7
4
9
9
7
6
5
7
5
9
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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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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