Van Riebeek Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.70° S 18.44° E

Van Riebeek Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 17 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Van Riebeek sea temperature is
10.7°C
4.9° 

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 17 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 20 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 13s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 24 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, SSW swell with 4,204 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 18 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 11s 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 Friday (Sep 18) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.4m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Van Riebeek in the next 16 days are 3.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 24) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 22) at 2PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Fri 18th Sep)5ft (1.6m) 11s
Best Surf 2AM (Sun 20th Sep)7ft (2.1m) 13s
Most Powerful 8AM (Thu 24th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 16s

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


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Warm (max 28°C on Mon afternoon, min 15°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SE on Mon morning, fresh winds from the N by Wed morning).

Friday
18
Saturday
19
Sunday
20
Monday
21
Tuesday
22
Wednesday
23
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
1
2
3
2
0
!
4
1
3
1
1
2
1
0
0
0
!
!
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
SW
11
1.6
SW
11
1.6
SW
13
1.6
SW
12
1.4
SW
12
1.5
SW
14
2.1
SW
13
1.9
SW
13
1.7
WSW
13
1.5
WSW
12
1.3
WSW
12
1.2
SW
11
1.2
SW
11
1
SW
13
1.1
SW
12
1.2
SW
10
1.3
SSW
7
2.2
SSW
10
2.5
SSW
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
685
640
796
736
514
902
1482
1182
904
636
472
380
344
326
314
313
177
892
1531
Wind (km/h)
15
ESE
20
SE
20
SE
10
ESE
15
SE
20
S
15
SE
10
SE
15
S
15
ESE
5
SE
10
S
10
ENE
25
NNE
30
NNW
25
N
30
N
20
N
20
SSE
Wind State
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
High Tide
7:10AM1.01m
7:30PM1.00m
8:48AM0.92m
9:37PM0.93m
11:20AM0.96m
11:39PM0.99m
12:26PM1.08m
00:34AM1.10m
1:02PM1.21m
1:11AM1.22m
1:32PM1.35m
1:43AM1.33m
Low Tide
00:53AM0.53m
1:03PM0.63m
2:02AM0.64m
2:56PM0.73m
4:47AM0.65m
5:47PM0.67m
6:11AM0.55m
6:42PM0.56m
6:52AM0.44m
7:17PM0.43m
7:23AM0.33m
7:46PM0.30m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:41
6:39
6:39
6:37
6:35
6:35
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:37
6:38
6:39
6:39
6:40
6:42
6:42
 mm
2
1
1
1
8
Temp °C
14
15
21
17
18
22
19
24
27
22
27
28
27
19
19
16
18
17
15
Feels °C
8
11
16
13
15
19
16
23
25
21
27
26
27
16
15
13
12
14
14
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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 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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