Van Riebeek Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.70° S 18.44° E

Van Riebeek Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 04 Oct 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Van Riebeek sea temperature is
16.0°C
0.1° 

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 4 Oct 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 7 Oct, 2AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 15s period, WSW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 6 Oct, 8PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, WSW swell with 8,289 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 5 Oct, 5AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 13s period with SW 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 Monday (Oct 05) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 13s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Van Riebeek in the next 16 days are 4.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Oct 06) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 6s period and expected on Monday (Oct 05) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Mon 5th Oct)6ft (1.8m) 13s
Best Surf 2AM (Wed 7th Oct)13ft (4.0m) 15s
Most Powerful 8PM (Tue 6th Oct)13ft (4.0m) 16s

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


Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 24°C on Sun afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon morning, fresh winds from the SW by Tue morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sun
4
Monday
5
Tuesday
6
Wednesday
7
Thursday
8
Friday
9
Saturday
10
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
3
1
1
2
0
0
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
0
!
!
!
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.8
SW
11
2
SW
13
1.6
SW
12
1.3
SW
12
2
WSW
13
2.3
WSW
17
3
WSW
16
4
WSW
15
3.5
WSW
14
3.5
WSW
14
3.5
SW
15
3
SW
14
2.5
SW
14
3
SW
14
3
WSW
13
3
WSW
13
2.5
SW
12
2.4
SW
12
2.2
SW
12
1.7
SSW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
831
1326
718
503
1306
2987
4471
6882
5153
4887
4733
3373
2462
3772
3365
2596
2035
1573
1510
904
Wind (km/h)
15
S
5
SE
15
WSW
15
WSW
15
NW
25
SW
30
S
15
SSE
5
SW
20
SSW
5
SSW
15
WSW
15
SW
5
SSE
15
SSW
25
S
15
SSE
10
SSE
10
SW
0
N
Wind State
cross-on
cross
on
cross-on
cross
on
cross-on
cross
on
on
glassy
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
on
glassy
High Tide
10:36PM1.09m
11:28AM1.19m
11:59PM1.19m
12:28PM1.33m
00:54AM1.30m
1:13PM1.47m
1:37AM1.40m
1:50PM1.56m
2:13AM1.47m
2:24PM1.62m
2:47AM1.51m
2:56PM1.64m
3:18AM1.51m
Low Tide
4:22PM0.56m
5:05AM0.47m
5:55PM0.44m
6:14AM0.37m
6:51PM0.29m
7:02AM0.26m
7:34PM0.17m
7:41AM0.18m
8:11PM0.07m
8:17AM0.12m
8:44PM0.02m
8:49AM0.10m
9:14PM0.01m
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
—
—
6:18
—
—
6:16
—
—
6:16
—
—
6:13
—
—
6:13
—
—
6:11
—
—
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:50
—
—
6:51
—
—
6:52
—
—
6:52
—
—
6:52
—
—
6:53
—
—
6:54
—
 mm
—
—
—
—
5
4
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Temp °C
24
21
20
18
15
14
15
14
15
16
15
15
15
13
18
20
16
21
25
22
Feels °C
20
18
17
15
15
8
9
8
12
11
12
12
11
11
15
16
12
19
23
21
  • 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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