Van Riebeek surfForecast / Cape Town / South Africa

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 7 pm Friday 19 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
15.3° C
(Which is 3.8°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 Saturday (Dec 20) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.4m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 1.4m and 6s 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 12 days are 2.2m 14s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Dec 20) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Sat 20th Dec)8ft (2.4m) 12s
Best Surf 5AM (Sat 20th Dec)8ft (2.4m) 12s
Most Powerful 2PM (Sat 20th Dec)7ft (2.2m) 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 Mostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Sun afternoon, min 16°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Sat afternoon, calm by Mon morning).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Some drizzle, heaviest during Tue morning. Warm (max 24°C on Thu morning, min 17°C on Wed night). Mainly strong winds.

Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
Thursday
25
Fri
26
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
2
!
0
3
1
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2
SSW
2.5
SSW
2.2
SW
1.8
SW
1.1
SW
1.7
SSE
1.6
SSE
1.1
SW
1.1
SW
0.9
WSW
0.8
WSW
0.9
WSW
1.4
SSW
1.9
SSW
2.2
SSW
1.7
S
1.1
SW
1.6
S
1.3
SW
1.4
SW
2.2
SSE
Period(s) (?)1213141312881111101010699811712117
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)1135195819491092319355320292263178125168139578820346283262463515437
Wind
(km/h)
20
SSE
20
S
35
S
15
SE
10
S
20
S
15
SE
15
WSW
10
SW
20
S
15
S
25
S
25
S
25
S
45
SSE
15
SSE
20
S
35
S
15
SE
15
S
35
S
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
ononcross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
3:23AM
1.35
3:27PM
1.39
3:57AM
1.38
4:01PM
1.39
4:31AM
1.39
4:35PM
1.37
5:06AM
1.39
5:10PM
1.33
5:42AM
1.38
5:48PM
1.28
6:22AM
1.37
6:32PM
1.22
7:06AM
1.35
7:25PM
1.16
Low Tide
/ height (m)
9:13PM
0.19
9:27AM
0.31
9:45PM
0.18
10:00AM
0.30
10:17PM
0.18
10:35AM
0.31
10:49PM
0.19
11:10AM
0.33
11:22PM
0.22
11:49AM
0.35
11:57PM
0.26
12:32PM
0.38
12:37AM
0.31
1:23PM
0.40
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
Thursday
25
Fri
26
Sunrise-5:31--5:31--5:31--5:33--5:33--5:33--5:33-
Sunset--7:54--7:54--7:55--7:55--7:57--7:57--7:58
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
Rain (mm)
----------1----------
Temp. °C192526232629252524222121202323212424222526
Feels °C (?)142122192426232424222019182018162219172221
  • 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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