Surf Forecasts:
Van Riebeek surf forecast from 13 Nov 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 14 Nov, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 12s period, SSW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 21 Nov, 8PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, SW swell with 4,993 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 14 Nov, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 12s period with SSW 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 (Nov 14) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 1.1m and 5s is also forecast. 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 3.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Nov 21) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 5s period and expected on Monday (Nov 23) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sat 14th Nov) | 8ft (2.5m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sat 14th Nov) | 8ft (2.5m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Sat 21st Nov) | 11ft (3.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Van Riebeek over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Fri night). Mainly strong winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Tue afternoon, min 15°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Mon afternoon, light winds from the SSE by Wed night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 13 | Saturday 14 | Sunday 15 | Monday 16 | Tuesday 17 | Wednesday 18 | Thursday 19 | |||||||||||||||
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 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 250 | 407 | 1722 | 3289 | 2316 | 1857 | 1279 | 911 | 503 | 396 | 716 | 892 | 874 | 786 | 773 | 718 | 943 | 663 | 572 | 1929 | 2216 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 5:11PM1.25m | 5:44AM1.22m | 5:49PM1.16m | 6:29AM1.15m | 6:36PM1.07m | 7:28AM1.10m | 7:42PM1.00m | 8:43AM1.09m | 9:11PM0.98m | 9:58AM1.14m | 10:34PM1.03m | 10:58AM1.22m | 11:36PM1.12m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:07AM0.40m | 11:25PM0.34m | 11:46AM0.48m | 00:03AM0.42m | 12:34PM0.56m | 00:50AM0.49m | 1:40PM0.62m | 1:54AM0.55m | 3:10PM0.62m | 3:16AM0.57m | 4:33PM0.55m | 4:32AM0.53m | 5:32PM0.44m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  |  | | |
 | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — |
 | — | 7:23 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:25 | — | — | 7:27 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:29 | — | — | 7:30 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 19 | 17 | 22 | 24 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 24 | 27 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 14 | 14 | 12 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 19 | 16 | 13 | 18 | 16 | 13 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 16 | 19 | 17 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 10 | W 10 | SSW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 14 |
| kJ | 250 | 161 | 1722 | 3289 | 2316 | 1857 | 1279 | 911 | 503 | 396 | 716 | 892 | 874 | 786 | 773 | 718 | 943 | 663 | 572 | 1929 | 2216 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 10 | SW 12 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | — | — | — | SW 19 | W 16 | W 16 | — | S 6 | W 15 | W 17 | S 8 | SSE 6 | SW 20 | SW 17 | NW 14 | NW 13 |
| kJ | 170 | 154 | 72 | 31 | 17 | — | — | — | 15 | 5 | 5 | — | 79 | 4 | 6 | 46 | 4 | 97 | 505 | 8 | 7 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 15 | — | W 17 | SW 22 | SW 21 | NW 15 | NW 15 | — | — |
| kJ | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | 6 | 18 | 18 | 8 | 8 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 9 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | S 7 | S 7 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | SSE 6 | S 6 | SSE 7 | — | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 4 | S 4 | — |
| kJ | — | 407 | 56 | 184 | 483 | 187 | 143 | 264 | 187 | 143 | 264 | 182 | 107 | 267 | 96 | — | 4 | 39 | 26 | 40 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 49 | 421 | 10 | 23 | 403 | 5 | 119 | 403 | 66 | 119 | 1406 | 4 | 1 | 2930 | 1 | 43 | 403 | 16 | 44 | 61 | 49 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Town | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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