Van Riebeek surfForecast / Cape Town / South Africa

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 7 pm Wednesday 10 Dec 2025 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
12.8° C
(Which is 6.0°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 Wednesday (Dec 10) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 1.4m 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 12 days are 4.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Dec 13) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Dec 17) at 11AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Wed 10th Dec)4.5ft (1.3m) 10s
Best Surf11PM (Fri 12th Dec)7ft (2.1m) 15s
Most Powerful 8AM (Sat 13th Dec)13ft (4.0m) 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 Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Warm (max 24°C on Wed night, min 16°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu morning, fresh winds from the NW by Fri morning).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Mon afternoon, min 15°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
11
Friday
12
Saturday
13
Sunday
14
Monday
15
Tuesday
16
Wed
17
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
3
0
0
2
1
2
!
!
0
!
!
0
!
!
0
!
!
!
!
!
!
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.6
SSW
1.3
SSW
1.1
SW
0.6
WSW
1.4
SW
1.8
SW
3.5
SW
4
SW
3.5
SW
3
SW
2.5
SW
2.3
SW
2.4
SW
2.5
SW
2.5
SW
2.4
SW
2.1
SW
2.1
WSW
2.1
WSW
3
WSW
3.5
WSW
Period(s) (?)10109191716151313121212111212121212141213
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)49030122525111651611535852104041271118051438142719382005153012081174182327673820
Wind
(km/h)
10
ESE
15
W
20
SW
15
NNW
35
NW
20
WSW
15
SW
20
SW
25
SW
10
SSE
15
SW
25
SSW
10
SSE
15
SW
25
SSW
10
S
15
WSW
20
WSW
10
NNW
30
NW
30
NW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
on
oncross-
off
crosscross-
on
onononcrossononcross-
on
ononcross-
on
cross-
on
oncross-
off
crosscross
High Tide
/ height (m)
8:16AM
1.26
8:48PM
1.05
9:22AM
1.22
10:06PM
1.02
10:28AM
1.20
11:18PM
1.04
11:27AM
1.21
12:16AM
1.09
12:17PM
1.23
1:01AM
1.15
1:01PM
1.27
1:40AM
1.22
1:41PM
1.31
Low Tide
/ height (m)
1:44AM
0.42
2:50PM
0.48
2:48AM
0.50
4:06PM
0.49
4:02AM
0.55
5:14PM
0.47
5:13AM
0.56
6:09PM
0.42
6:12AM
0.53
6:53PM
0.37
7:00AM
0.48
7:31PM
0.31
7:41AM
0.43
Thursday
11
Friday
12
Saturday
13
Sunday
14
Monday
15
Tuesday
16
Wed
17
Sunrise-5:28--5:28--5:28--5:28--5:28--5:30--5:30-
Sunset--7:49--7:50--7:51--7:51--7:52--7:52--7:52
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
Rain (mm)
-----12--------------
Temp. °C242221192019181717161920192122212221182120
Feels °C (?)232219191516151412131516171920192119191714
  • 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 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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