Van Riebeek Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.70° S 18.44° E

Van Riebeek Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 03 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Van Riebeek sea temperature is
12.7°C
2.8° 

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 3 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, SSE swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 18s period, SW swell with 2,777 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 4 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period with SSE 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 04) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 14s is also forecast. 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 2.1m 18s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5PM (Fri 4th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 8s
Best Surf 5PM (Fri 4th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 8s
Most Powerful11AM (Sun 6th Sep)7ft (2.1m) 18s

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


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSE on Thu night, light winds from the SSE by Sun afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sun night, min 16°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
!
2
!
1
3
!
3
4
2
3
3
2
1
2
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)
3
S
9
2.5
SSE
9
3
SSE
8
1.9
SSE
8
2.2
SSE
8
1.6
SSE
8
1.4
SW
21
2.1
SW
18
1.9
SW
16
1.9
SW
15
1.9
SW
14
1.8
SW
13
1.2
SSW
12
1.3
SW
12
0.8
SW
11
0.9
SW
11
1.1
SW
13
1
WSW
13
1
WSW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1520
976
1072
449
620
333
1569
2777
1852
1547
1418
1162
412
494
140
172
400
335
265
Wind (km/h)
45
SSE
35
SE
30
SE
20
ESE
20
SE
20
SE
20
ESE
15
ESE
10
SE
10
ENE
10
WSW
10
SW
10
ENE
5
W
10
SW
0
SSW
15
SW
20
SSW
10
S
Wind State
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-on
on
off
cross-on
on
glassy
on
on
cross-on
High Tide
7:57AM1.08m
8:31PM1.15m
9:47AM1.03m
10:28PM1.12m
11:37AM1.12m
00:03AM1.20m
12:46PM1.27m
1:05AM1.32m
1:34PM1.43m
1:53AM1.44m
2:15PM1.57m
2:33AM1.51m
Low Tide
1:38AM0.41m
1:56PM0.53m
3:14AM0.50m
3:58PM0.59m
5:14AM0.47m
5:54PM0.50m
6:31AM0.35m
7:02PM0.34m
7:23AM0.22m
7:50PM0.20m
8:04AM0.12m
8:31PM0.08m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:01
6:58
6:58
6:56
6:54
6:54
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:29
6:30
6:30
6:30
6:31
6:31
6:32
 mm
Temp °C
14
15
19
14
16
22
18
21
26
25
22
23
21
20
22
20
17
19
16
Feels °C
6
7
11
10
11
18
14
18
24
23
21
22
21
19
21
20
16
18
15
  • 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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