Voelklip Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards.

We’re looking at a solid run of groundswell at Voelklip, a reef set-up that’s exposed and loves a good SSW swell. That spot is very consistent, which is a big tick. For the time of year, the water temp is about average, so no surprises there.

The action kicks off Friday the 24th of July with a bomb. The morning session will be the standout of the whole outlook, no question. We’ve got a 3.0m (9.8ft) SW swell with a very long 15-second period pushing in, and the wind is a light offshore from the NE. That’s a dream combo for a reef. The combined wave energy is strong as hell (4251). This is for experienced surfers only at that size – anything over 2.5m (8.2ft) is expert territory. If you’re a beginner, give this one a miss. Crowds are possible here.

The afternoon on Friday sees the wind switch to a light onshore from the SSW, so the quality drops off fast. Surf is still 3.0m (9.8ft), but the wave comment flags it as questionable. Not your best bet.

Saturday the 25th is still good, but not as epic. The swell drops to 2.4m (7.9ft) SW, still a long period of 13 seconds, and the wind is cross-off from the ENE and ESE through the day. It’s clean and powerful, with wave energy in the 1771-2521 range. Solid for experienced surfers.

Sunday the 26th is a glassy gem. The swell eases to 1.9m (6.2ft) and then 1.7m (5.6ft), period drops slightly to 12 seconds, but the wind goes glassy from the NE in the morning and WSW in the afternoon. Both sessions are glassy and clean. Energy is moderate, around 1128-1195. This could be a really fun, more manageable day for the average surfer.

Monday the 27th gets messy. The morning has a 2.4m (7.9ft) swell but 25 km/h (15.5 mph) cross-shore wind from the SE with light rain, and the wave state is lumpy. Not worth it. The afternoon shows a pulse of bigger 3.0m (9.8ft) SSW groundswell with a 17-second period and energy spiking to 5687, but it’s under a moderate cross-off breeze. More of a kite-surfing proposition for that afternoon session than paddle surfing because of the wind.

From Tuesday the 28th through Thursday the 30th, the wind picks up to fresh breezes from the east, and the swell stays big at 3.0m (9.8ft) early but drops to 1.2m (3.9ft) by Thursday. The wind is cross-off, so it’s clean, but the onshore component and shape make the quality marginal for paddling. These are probably better on a bigger board or for the kite crew. By Thursday and Friday the 31st, the swell is down to a modest 1.1-1.2m (3.6-3.9ft) with 12-second periods and a light offshore wind. Clean, but weak with energy around 452-469. You could get a wave but it’s not a highlight.

Then we get a nice little uptick on Saturday the 1st of August. The morning delivers a 1.6m (5.2ft) SW swell, 13-second period, and light offshore NE wind. Clean with energy (1065). The afternoon gets glassy with the wind shifting to SE and the swell dropping to 1.5m (4.9ft). That Sunday morning is a solid, clean option.

Sunday the 2nd of August takes a dive. The swell drops small (1.0-1.1m / 3.3-3.6ft), the period drops to 11 seconds, and the wind comes onshore strong from the west in the afternoon at 30 km/h (18.6 mph). That afternoon is a write-off. Poor conditions.

The first week of August has a few promising days but they’re spaced out. Monday the 3rd is onshore and small. Tuesday the 4th shows a cross-off wind from the ENE, and the swell builds to 1.8m (5.9ft) by the afternoon with moderate energy (1208). Not a standout, but clean enough.

Now, Wednesday the 5th of August morning looks like a little highlight. A 2.1m (6.9ft) SW swell with a light offshore breeze from the ENE, clean and powerful (1508). This is expert level again at over 2m (6.6ft), but the conditions are excellent for those who can handle it.

Thursday the 6th of August morning is another glassy one – 2.3m (7.5ft) SW swell, 13 seconds, glassy wind from the west. Energy is strong (1817). That’s a magic morning for the experienced crew. The afternoon gets onshore

Read more