Van Riebeek surfForecast / Cape Town / South Africa

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 1 pm Saturday 03 Jan 2026 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
15.8° C
(Which is 3.6°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 Monday (Jan 05) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 13s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 5s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Van Riebeek in the next 12 days are 3.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jan 07) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 7s period and expected on Saturday (Jan 10) at 8AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Mon 5th Jan)4ft (1.2m) 12s
Best Surf 2AM (Wed 7th Jan)7ft (2.1m) 11s
Most Powerful 5PM (Wed 7th Jan)11ft (3.5m) 13s

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 26°C on Sun afternoon, min 18°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the S on Sun afternoon, calm by Mon night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Fri morning, min 17°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sat
03
Sunday
04
Monday
05
Tuesday
06
Wednesday
07
Thursday
08
Friday
09
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
0
0
2
1
0
3
1
0
!
0
0
!
!
!
!
!
0
!
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.7
WSW
1.4
WSW
1.2
WSW
1.1
SW
1.2
SW
1.3
WSW
1.3
WSW
1.4
WSW
1.3
WSW
1.5
WSW
2.1
SSW
3.5
SSW
3.5
SW
3
SW
2.5
SW
2.4
SW
3
SW
2.2
SW
2.5
S
2.1
S
1.7
SSE
Period(s) (?)1413121212111112111111131313121212111098
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)114364940333040743341152742750895234494118331818481610260411511352686335
Wind
(km/h)
35
S
20
SSE
15
S
40
S
15
SE
15
WSW
25
SSW
0
W
15
WNW
20
W
10
SW
20
SSW
25
SSW
5
SSE
15
WSW
20
WSW
5
SSE
15
SSW
35
S
15
SE
15
S
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
crossoncross-
on
glasscross-
on
cross-
on
oncross-
on
cross-
on
glasscross-
on
oncrosscross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
3:17PM
1.56
3:49AM
1.56
4:03PM
1.55
4:33AM
1.58
4:47PM
1.50
5:15AM
1.57
5:29PM
1.42
5:56AM
1.52
6:10PM
1.31
6:37AM
1.44
6:53PM
1.20
7:19AM
1.34
7:40PM
1.10
8:05AM
1.24
Low Tide
/ height (m)
9:36PM
0.01
9:59AM
0.11
10:19PM
0.01
10:45AM
0.12
10:59PM
0.06
11:29AM
0.16
11:38PM
0.13
12:13PM
0.24
12:16AM
0.23
12:57PM
0.32
12:54AM
0.34
1:43PM
0.42
1:35AM
0.46
Sat
03
Sunday
04
Monday
05
Tuesday
06
Wednesday
07
Thursday
08
Friday
09
Sunrise--5:41--5:41--5:41--5:43--5:43--5:45--5:46
Sunset8:00--8:00--8:00--8:00--8:00--8:00--8:00--
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
---------------------
Temp. °C232125262123242121222121231920202124252328
Feels °C (?)191623211621202021212318191617172223221926
  • 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 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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