Van Riebeek Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.70° S 18.44° E

Van Riebeek Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 am 12 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Van Riebeek sea temperature is
12.8° C
2.6° 

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 12 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 13 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 17s period, WSW swell with 2,998 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 18s 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 Wednesday (Aug 12) at 2PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 10s. 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 2.2m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 7s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2PM (Wed 12th Aug)5.5ft (1.7m) 18s
Best Surf 8AM (Thu 13th Aug)7ft (2.2m) 16s
Most Powerful11AM (Thu 13th Aug)7ft (2.2m) 17s

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


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
Sunday
16
Monday
17
Tuesday
18
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
3
!
!
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
4
2
!
!
!
!
4
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.7
SW
18
1.8
SW
18
1.9
WSW
16
2.2
WSW
17
2.1
WSW
16
1.9
WSW
16
1.8
WSW
15
1.7
WSW
14
1.7
WSW
14
1.8
WSW
13
1.8
WSW
14
1.8
WSW
14
1.8
WSW
14
1.9
WSW
14
2.5
WSW
13
2.5
WSW
13
2.2
WSW
13
2.1
WSW
13
2
WSW
12
1.8
WSW
12
1.1
SW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1922
1952
1809
2998
2262
1663
1358
1257
1059
1144
1179
1161
1207
1484
2313
2245
1725
1504
1163
936
383
Wind (km/h)
15
ENE
15
ESE
20
ENE
15
NNE
10
NW
10
NE
15
N
5
NW
5
E
5
SSW
10
S
10
NW
10
NNW
10
W
10
SE
10
SSE
15
S
10
SSE
5
SSE
15
SSW
15
SSE
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross
off
cross-off
glassy
glassy
glassy
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross
High Tide
3:13PM1.62m
3:29AM1.57m
3:52PM1.68m
4:09AM1.56m
4:29PM1.69m
4:46AM1.51m
5:05PM1.64m
5:22AM1.43m
5:39PM1.55m
5:57AM1.33m
6:13PM1.43m
6:32AM1.21m
6:48PM1.29m
Low Tide
9:01AM0.02m
9:27PM0.05m
9:40AM-0.01m
10:07PM0.02m
10:16AM-0.00m
10:45PM0.03m
10:51AM0.05m
11:22PM0.09m
11:24AM0.14m
11:57PM0.19m
11:57AM0.25m
00:31AM0.30m
12:30PM0.38m
1:08AM0.42m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:28
7:26
7:26
7:24
7:24
7:22
7:22
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:14
6:15
6:15
6:15
6:16
6:16
6:17
 mm
Temp °C
16
21
21
22
27
21
17
16
15
16
19
18
16
17
15
16
18
15
15
16
14
Feels °C
12
18
16
19
22
18
14
14
15
15
17
16
14
14
15
15
16
14
15
14
12
  • 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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