Van Riebeek Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.70° S 18.44° E

Van Riebeek Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 27 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Van Riebeek sea temperature is
14.7°C
1.1° 

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 27 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 3 Oct, 8AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 12s period, WSW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 3 Oct, 8AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 12s period, WSW swell with 1,483 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 29 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 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 Tuesday (Sep 29) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 12s 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 16 days are 2.2m 12s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Oct 03) 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 1.2m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Oct 01) at 11AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Tue 29th Sep)3ft (0.9m) 12s
Best Surf 8AM (Sat 3rd Oct)7ft (2.2m) 12s
Most Powerful 8AM (Sat 3rd Oct)7ft (2.2m) 12s

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


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSE on Sun night, light winds from the S by Wed afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Wed night, min 13°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, fresh winds from the SSE by Sat morning).

Monday
28
Tuesday
29
Wednesday
30
Thursday
1
Friday
2
Saturday
3
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
1
2
3
3
2
2
2
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
!
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
WSW
13
1.9
SSE
8
1.8
S
8
0.9
WSW
12
0.8
WSW
11
0.9
SW
13
1
SW
13
1
SW
14
1
SW
13
0.9
SW
13
0.9
SW
12
0.7
SW
12
0.7
SW
11
0.8
WSW
12
1.4
WSW
11
2.1
WSW
11
2.3
WSW
12
2.1
WSW
12
1.7
WSW
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
606
389
398
218
166
290
326
384
342
282
220
144
133
161
478
1062
1471
1186
700
Wind (km/h)
20
SE
15
SE
10
SE
15
ESE
15
ESE
10
ESE
15
E
15
E
5
SSE
15
NNE
30
NNW
10
W
10
N
10
WNW
25
S
30
SSE
35
SSE
25
SE
15
E
Wind State
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
High Tide
3:51AM1.55m
4:02PM1.67m
4:26AM1.51m
4:38PM1.61m
5:03AM1.44m
5:17PM1.51m
5:46AM1.33m
6:02PM1.37m
6:39AM1.21m
7:02PM1.21m
7:57AM1.10m
8:37PM1.09m
Low Tide
9:45PM-0.02m
9:51AM0.06m
10:19PM-0.00m
10:26AM0.10m
10:55PM0.06m
11:03AM0.18m
11:35PM0.17m
11:46AM0.30m
00:23AM0.30m
12:41PM0.43m
1:29AM0.44m
2:09PM0.55m
3:14AM0.52m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
—
6:28
—
—
6:26
—
—
6:24
—
—
6:24
—
—
6:22
—
—
6:20
—
—
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:45
—
6:45
—
—
6:46
—
—
6:46
—
—
6:47
—
—
6:49
—
—
6:49
—
 mm
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Temp °C
13
17
23
20
22
28
25
29
32
26
24
17
15
16
16
14
17
18
15
Feels °C
7
13
20
16
19
25
22
25
28
24
19
11
15
14
13
10
10
12
11
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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