Van Riebeek Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.70° S 18.44° E

Van Riebeek Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 23 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Van Riebeek sea temperature is
13.2°C
2.3° 

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 23 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 12s period, WSW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, W swell with 4,691 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Van Riebeek in the next 16 days are 3.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 7s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Sun 23rd Aug)7ft (2.1m) 12s
Best Surf 8PM (Sun 23rd Aug)7ft (2.1m) 12s
Most Powerful 8PM (Sun 30th Aug)11ft (3.5m) 13s

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


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue afternoon, min 11°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Fri afternoon, min 15°C on Thu morning). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, fresh winds from the NNW by Sat morning).

Sun
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
!
!
2
0
3
!
0
3
3
4
3
3
2
2
1
2
3
1
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)
2.2
WSW
12
2.1
WSW
12
1.9
SW
12
1.2
WSW
11
1.7
SW
14
2.2
SW
14
2.2
SW
14
1.8
WSW
13
1.4
WSW
13
1.3
WSW
12
1.1
WSW
12
1.4
SSW
11
1.2
SSW
11
1.2
S
11
1.1
S
11
1.1
WSW
14
1.1
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
13
1.3
WSW
12
1.8
WSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1532
1236
974
376
1171
1949
1748
1151
669
525
353
463
370
351
274
433
452
560
501
1267
Wind (km/h)
15
S
10
SE
15
SSE
20
SSE
15
SSE
15
SSE
25
SSE
15
ESE
15
ESE
10
ESE
10
NE
10
NNW
10
W
5
SE
15
SE
15
SSE
10
NE
35
NNW
30
NNW
25
N
Wind State
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
1:01AM1.13m
1:36PM1.19m
1:40AM1.24m
2:08PM1.31m
2:13AM1.33m
2:36PM1.42m
2:44AM1.41m
3:04PM1.52m
3:14AM1.47m
3:32PM1.59m
3:44AM1.50m
4:01PM1.63m
4:16AM1.50m
Low Tide
7:07PM0.56m
7:27AM0.41m
7:45PM0.45m
7:59AM0.30m
8:17PM0.34m
8:27AM0.21m
8:46PM0.24m
8:54AM0.14m
9:15PM0.16m
9:21AM0.09m
9:44PM0.10m
9:49AM0.07m
10:14PM0.07m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:15
7:13
7:11
7:11
7:09
7:09
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:21
6:22
6:22
6:23
6:23
6:24
6:25
 mm
2
Temp °C
16
13
15
18
13
15
19
16
18
25
21
19
18
17
22
26
23
21
19
15
Feels °C
14
10
12
15
10
12
15
13
15
23
19
16
15
14
18
22
20
16
13
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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