Van Riebeek surfForecast / Cape Town / South Africa

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 7 pm Tuesday 14 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
15.8° C
(Which is 2.1°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 Wednesday (Apr 15) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 19s. The wind is predicted to be onshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Van Riebeek in the next 16 days are 4.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Apr 15) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 4s period and expected on Friday (Apr 17) at 11AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Wed 15th Apr)8ft (2.5m) 14s
Best Surf 2AM (Wed 15th Apr)8ft (2.5m) 14s
Most Powerful 5PM (Wed 15th Apr)15ft (4.5m) 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 Moderate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue night, min 13°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 30mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Fri night, strong winds from the NW by Sun morning).

Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tue
21
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
!
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2
0
0
0
!
!
!
!
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Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2.5
WSW
4
SW
4.5
WSW
4
WSW
3
SW
3
SW
2.4
SW
2.3
SW
2.5
WSW
2.5
WSW
3
SW
2.4
WSW
2
WSW
2.5
WSW
3.5
WSW
3.5
WSW
4
SW
3.5
SW
3
SW
2.5
SW
2.3
SW
Period(s) (?)14131616141413121212121313911111413121211
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)2546493710257720742223277194214271934193326041828135911382956346853534626306619351351
Wind
(km/h)
20
SW
15
SW
20
SSW
10
SSE
5
W
20
SW
10
N
35
NNW
20
W
5
WSW
15
NNW
25
WNW
20
NW
40
NW
35
W
30
WSW
10
SW
10
SW
10
SE
10
SE
15
S
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
onononcrosscross-
on
oncross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
crosscrosscrosscross-
on
cross-
on
ononcrosscrosscross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
Low Tide
/ height (m)
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tue
21
Sunrise-7:07--7:07--7:09--7:09--7:11--7:11--7:11-
Sunset--6:23--6:22--6:21--6:20--6:19--6:17--6:15
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
heavy rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
mod rain
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
2-------1771-53671----
Temp. °C181817161717161816151716151616141616161618
Feels °C (?)171512131614141110131311128961312141415
  • 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 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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