Van Riebeek surfForecast / Cape Town / South Africa

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 7 am Sunday 19 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
16.0° C
(Which is 1.7°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 Monday (Apr 20) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 4.5m and 13s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-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 22) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8AM (Mon 20th Apr)15ft (4.5m) 13s
Best Surf 8AM (Mon 20th Apr)15ft (4.5m) 13s
Most Powerful11AM (Wed 22nd 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 16mm), heaviest on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun morning, min 13°C on Tue morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WNW on Sun afternoon, light winds from the SSE by Tue night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Fri morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSE on Wed morning, calm by Fri morning).

Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
!
!
!
!
!
0
!
!
!
!
!
3
2
1
1
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2.5
SW
4.5
WSW
4.5
WSW
4.5
SW
4
SW
3.5
SW
3
SW
3
SW
3.5
SSW
4.5
SSW
4
SSW
3.5
SSW
2.5
SSW
2.2
SSW
1.6
SSW
1.2
SSW
0.9
SSW
0.8
SSW
0.8
SW
0.9
SW
0.9
WSW
Period(s) (?)91011141413131212161615141313121111111010
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)11544208481769085612361525363175402388668013470726731561812380221151145157175
Wind
(km/h)
45
NNW
45
W
35
W
20
W
20
NW
15
N
15
NNW
15
SW
25
SSE
20
SE
15
SSE
15
ESE
10
ESE
10
SSW
10
ESE
0
W
10
WSW
5
WNW
10
W
20
WSW
20
SSW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
oncross-
on
crosscrosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
glassonglasscross-
on
oncross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
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
9:24AM
1.07
10:20PM
1.17
11:03AM
1.09
11:36PM
1.25
Low Tide
/ height (m)
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
3:47PM
0.50
4:58AM
0.49
5:15PM
0.47
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunrise7:11--7:11--7:11--7:13--7:13--7:13--7:15--
Sunset-6:19--6:17--6:15--6:15--6:14--6:13--6:12-
rain showers
mod rain
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
rain showers
Rain (mm)
465----1------------4
Temp. °C171614151615161717162018172120222118181916
Feels °C (?)875101111121315111614141817201816171714
  • 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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