Van Riebeek surfForecast / Cape Town / South Africa

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 7 pm Sunday 22 Feb 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
16.2° C
(Which is 3.5°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 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Feb 23) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Van Riebeek in the next 12 days are 3.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Mar 01) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Feb 24) at 8PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Mon 23rd Feb)3.5ft (1.1m) 13s
Best Surf 2AM (Thu 26th Feb)7.5ft (2.3m) 13s
Most Powerful 5PM (Sun 1st Mar)11ft (3.5m) 14s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Van Riebeek over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Some drizzle, heaviest during Wed morning. Warm (max 21°C on Tue morning, min 16°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Fri afternoon, min 16°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the S on Wed night, fresh winds from the S by Thu afternoon).

Monday
23
Tuesday
24
Wednesday
25
Thursday
26
Friday
27
Saturday
28
Sun
01
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
2
0
0
1
2
0
2
0
0
!
!
0
!
1
0
0
0
0
1
!
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.1
SW
1.1
SW
1.1
SW
0.9
SSW
1.2
SW
1.1
SW
0.9
SW
0.8
SW
0.7
SW
2.3
SW
2.3
SW
2.3
SW
2.2
SSW
1.4
SSW
2.4
S
1.5
S
1.4
S
2
SSW
1.7
SSW
2.4
SSW
3.5
SSW
Period(s) (?)131212121313121211131112111010121111111414
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)3763303552354954242361611161751126413801082435113860748593872622853923
Wind
(km/h)
5
W
10
W
20
WSW
5
WNW
15
NW
15
WNW
10
N
20
WNW
15
W
10
S
20
SSW
30
S
25
SSE
10
S
30
S
20
S
20
SSW
25
SSW
15
S
20
SSW
30
SSW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
glasscross-
on
oncrosscrosscross-
on
cross-
off
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
oncross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
6:49AM
1.40
7:21PM
1.17
7:46AM
1.25
8:38PM
1.05
9:17AM
1.13
10:39PM
1.02
11:17AM
1.12
12:21AM
1.13
12:43PM
1.22
1:22AM
1.29
1:39PM
1.34
2:07AM
1.44
2:22PM
1.44
Low Tide
/ height (m)
12:28AM
0.29
1:11PM
0.31
1:18AM
0.42
2:17PM
0.44
2:37AM
0.56
4:07PM
0.52
4:53AM
0.59
6:02PM
0.46
6:36AM
0.48
7:09PM
0.33
7:36AM
0.33
7:56PM
0.21
8:21AM
0.19
Monday
23
Tuesday
24
Wednesday
25
Thursday
26
Friday
27
Saturday
28
Sun
01
Sunrise-6:28--6:28--6:30--6:31--6:31--6:31--6:33-
Sunset--7:30--7:29--7:27--7:25--7:24--7:23--7:22
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
-------1-------------
Temp. °C172020192121192121181820182123181920181920
Feels °C (?)182019202019192019191515131918141516161515
  • 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 12 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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