Van Riebeek Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.70° S 18.44° E

Van Riebeek Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 am 05 Nov 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Van Riebeek sea temperature is
13.9°C
3.0° 

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 5 Nov 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 7 Nov, 8AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 12s period, SSW swell with cross-onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 17 Nov, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SW swell with 3,813 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 7 Nov, 8AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 12s period with SSW 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 Saturday (Nov 07) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 9s. 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 3.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Nov 17) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Nov 08) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8AM (Sat 7th Nov)7ft (2.1m) 12s
Best Surf 8AM (Sat 7th Nov)7ft (2.1m) 12s
Most Powerful 2AM (Tue 17th Nov)10ft (3.0m) 14s

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


Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the S on Fri night, strong winds from the SSE by Sat afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Mon morning, min 14°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
5
Friday
6
Saturday
7
Sunday
8
Monday
9
Tuesday
10
Wednesday
11
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
2
3
1
0
2
0
0
!
!
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
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
W
14
1.4
WSW
13
1.8
W
12
1.7
W
11
1.8
SW
14
1.9
SW
12
2.3
SSW
12
3
SSW
14
2.5
SSW
12
2.1
SSW
12
1.8
SSW
11
1.3
S
11
1
SW
10
0.8
SW
10
0.9
SSW
10
1.2
WSW
12
1.3
WSW
12
1.6
WSW
11
1.2
W
10
1.7
WSW
10
1.6
WSW
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
377
659
894
669
1285
1137
1435
3331
2286
1158
844
403
204
150
175
405
467
540
284
563
472
Wind (km/h)
25
WNW
25
WNW
15
NW
20
W
25
SW
15
S
25
S
40
SSE
15
SE
5
ESE
25
SW
10
ESE
15
WSW
15
SSW
15
S
20
SW
15
WSW
5
NW
25
WNW
15
WSW
10
SSE
Wind State
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
on
cross-off
cross-on
on
cross-on
on
on
cross
cross
on
cross
High Tide
12:43PM1.43m
1:15AM1.32m
1:22PM1.48m
1:51AM1.38m
1:56PM1.51m
2:25AM1.42m
2:29PM1.52m
2:56AM1.44m
3:01PM1.50m
3:27AM1.43m
3:33PM1.46m
3:58AM1.40m
4:04PM1.41m
4:31AM1.35m
Low Tide
7:10PM0.20m
7:15AM0.28m
7:46PM0.13m
7:52AM0.24m
8:19PM0.10m
8:26AM0.22m
8:49PM0.09m
8:58AM0.21m
9:19PM0.10m
9:30AM0.23m
9:49PM0.14m
10:01AM0.27m
10:20PM0.20m
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:41
—
—
5:41
—
—
5:41
—
—
5:39
—
—
5:39
—
—
5:37
—
—
5:37
—
—
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
—
7:16
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—
7:17
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—
7:19
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—
7:19
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—
7:20
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—
7:21
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—
7:22
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 mm
—
—
1
2
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
1
—
Temp °C
19
18
17
18
17
16
17
18
16
22
22
21
25
21
19
20
20
18
19
20
19
Feels °C
17
15
15
15
14
13
11
10
9
19
17
18
21
19
17
17
16
18
17
18
19
  • 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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