Surf Forecasts:
Van Riebeek surf forecast from 11 Nov 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 11 Nov, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 12s period, WSW swell with cross-onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 20 Nov, 11PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 15s period, SW swell with 6,254 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 11 Nov, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 12s period with WSW 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 (Nov 11) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.4m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 11s. 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 4.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Nov 20) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.1m 7s period and expected on Monday (Nov 23) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Wed 11th Nov) | 8ft (2.4m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Wed 11th Nov) | 8ft (2.4m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Fri 20th Nov) | 13ft (4.0m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Van Riebeek over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Thu morning, min 14°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Wed morning, fresh winds from the S by Fri afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sat afternoon, min 16°C on Sat morning). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 11 | Thursday 12 | Friday 13 | Saturday 14 | Sunday 15 | Monday 16 | Tuesday 17 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | SW 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 799 | 1729 | 1447 | 1280 | 631 | 469 | 269 | 445 | 1780 | 3326 | 2484 | 1919 | 1191 | 838 | 503 | 396 | 528 | 892 | 974 | 868 | 897 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:04PM1.41m | 4:31AM1.35m | 4:37PM1.33m | 5:05AM1.29m | 5:11PM1.25m | 5:44AM1.22m | 5:49PM1.16m | 6:29AM1.15m | 6:36PM1.07m | 7:28AM1.10m | 7:42PM1.00m | 8:43AM1.09m | 9:11PM0.98m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:01AM0.27m | 10:20PM0.20m | 10:33AM0.32m | 10:51PM0.27m | 11:07AM0.40m | 11:25PM0.34m | 11:46AM0.48m | 00:03AM0.42m | 12:34PM0.56m | 00:50AM0.49m | 1:40PM0.62m | 1:54AM0.55m | 3:10PM0.62m | 3:16AM0.57m | |||||||
 | |  | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — |
 | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:23 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:25 | — | — | 7:27 | — | — | 7:28 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 25 | 27 | 23 |
Feels °C | 18 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 23 | 23 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | SSW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 799 | 1729 | 1447 | 1280 | 631 | 469 | 170 | 167 | 1780 | 3326 | 2484 | 1919 | 1191 | 838 | 503 | 396 | 528 | 892 | 974 | 868 | 897 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | — | NW 11 | W 21 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 12 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | — | — | — | SW 19 | W 16 | W 16 | W 16 | W 15 | W 15 | SSE 7 |
| kJ | 245 | — | 5 | 9 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 152 | 71 | 31 | 17 | — | — | — | 15 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 84 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 11 | — | — | SW 21 | NW 10 | — | SW 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 17 |
| kJ | 5 | — | — | 17 | 4 | — | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | S 6 | S 5 | SW 10 | SSW 9 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | S 6 | SSE 7 | S 7 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 139 | 78 | 269 | 445 | 56 | 131 | 302 | 186 | 145 | 344 | 235 | 132 | 239 | 198 | 102 | 278 | 159 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 39 | 83 | 43 | 458 | 403 | 79 | 49 | 343 | 10 | 64 | 1332 | 5 | 119 | 1196 | 4 | 119 | 1071 | 1 | 113 | 629 | 4 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Town | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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