Van Riebeek Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.70° S 18.44° E

Van Riebeek Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 22 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Van Riebeek sea temperature is
12.3°C
3.3° 

Van Riebeek surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Van Riebeek surf forecast from 22 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 26 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 26 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 15s period, SW swell with 1,958 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 22 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 13s period with SW swell.

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 Tuesday (Sep 22) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Van Riebeek in the next 16 days are 2.1m 15s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 26) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8AM (Tue 22nd Sep)3.5ft (1.0m) 13s
Best Surf11AM (Sat 26th Sep)7ft (2.1m) 15s
Most Powerful11AM (Sat 26th Sep)7ft (2.1m) 15s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Van Riebeek over the next 16 days.


Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 26°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Sat morning. Warm (max 24°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
22
Wednesday
23
Thursday
24
Friday
25
Saturday
26
Sunday
27
Monday
28
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
2
1
0
3
2
2
4
2
1
3
!
!
4
4
!
0
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
SW
13
1.1
SW
12
1.2
SW
11
1.1
SW
11
1
SW
11
1.6
S
7
1
SSW
16
1.7
SW
14
1.7
SW
13
1.7
SW
12
1.7
SSW
12
1.3
SW
12
2.1
SW
15
2.1
SW
14
2
WSW
14
1.7
WSW
14
2.2
SW
13
1.3
WSW
13
2
S
9
2.5
SSE
8
2
SSE
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
336
367
332
254
216
250
519
1187
966
836
756
448
1958
1862
1509
1159
1657
596
609
891
600
Wind (km/h)
15
WNW
10
W
10
NW
5
SW
15
SSW
5
ESE
5
S
10
SW
5
N
10
SSW
15
S
5
NNW
15
NNW
25
NW
10
NNE
5
W
10
SSE
20
S
25
S
35
S
20
SSE
Wind State
cross
cross-on
cross-off
on
on
cross-off
cross-on
on
glassy
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
off
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
1:02PM1.21m
1:11AM1.22m
1:32PM1.35m
1:43AM1.33m
2:00PM1.47m
2:15AM1.43m
2:28PM1.57m
2:46AM1.50m
2:58PM1.65m
3:18AM1.54m
3:29PM1.68m
3:51AM1.55m
4:02PM1.67m
4:26AM1.51m
Low Tide
7:17PM0.43m
7:23AM0.33m
7:46PM0.30m
7:51AM0.23m
8:15PM0.18m
8:20AM0.15m
8:44PM0.08m
8:49AM0.09m
9:14PM0.01m
9:19AM0.06m
9:45PM-0.02m
9:51AM0.06m
10:19PM-0.00m
clear
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
mod rain
light rain
part cloud
cloud
light rain
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:35
6:35
6:33
6:31
6:31
6:28
6:28
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:42
6:42
6:43
6:44
6:44
6:45
6:45
 mm
2
6
9
1
1
Temp °C
26
21
20
16
19
17
21
22
21
21
24
21
16
17
15
14
15
14
17
18
16
Feels °C
24
21
21
16
18
16
21
20
22
21
23
23
15
15
13
13
14
11
12
12
10
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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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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