Vredenberg Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s look at what’s on the cards for the South African coast, specifically Vredenberg Point. This is a point break that’s exposed to the SW and sucks up a fair bit of energy. The water’s at 56°, which is a good 4° colder than what’s normal for this time of year – you’ll be hunting for a thick wetsuit if you’re heading out.

The week kicks off with a slow start. Friday the 17th is a write-off – we’ve got 6ft SW swell but the wind is cross and the energy is moderate (743), and the conditions are just too messy. Saturday morning the 18th is a glimmer of hope. The swell drops to 4ft from the SW, but the wind goes glassy, dead calm. The combined energy is moderate (461), and the forecast says “expect good surf conditions.” It’s small, but clean, and for a point break that loves a bit of SW, it’ll be rideable. Saturday afternoon, the wind swings offshore, but the swell jumps to 5ft with a long 13-second period, and the energy ramps up to 966. But the tidal conditions are questionable, so it’s a maybe.

Now, Sunday morning the 19th is the real standout for the first week. Glassy conditions, 4ft of SW swell with a 12-second period, and the combined energy is solid at 732. The forecast says “expect very good surf conditions.” This is your window. The wind is off, the waves will have shape, and that point will line up nicely. The crowds are listed as “sometimes” – so you might see a few locals, but it’s not a zoo. Don’t sleep on this one.

The rest of the week gets a bit mixed. Monday the 20th is cross-shore and choppy, decreasing energy. Tuesday the 21st morning is clean with a cross-offshore wind, 4ft of SW swell and a very long 14-second period – the energy is moderate (602), and the forecast says “very good.” But the swell is small, so it’s a fun session for a longboard or a fish. By Tuesday afternoon, it’s 6ft and cross-onshore, messy.

Then we hit the big stuff. From Wednesday the 22nd afternoon through to Tuesday the 30th, there’s heaps of energy, but it’s too big for this break. On Wednesday afternoon the 22nd, we’re looking at 10ft from the WSW, with a massive 13-second period and energy of 2588 – the wind is clean, but the swell is too big for Vredenberg Point. Thursday the 23rd morning is 7ft, energy 2145, and it’s “excellent for experienced surfers” – but only for the experts. Thursday afternoon is 12ft with an 18-second period and energy of 9773 – that’s ridiculous, but it’s too big. This pattern continues all the way through to the end of the month.

The real standout for the second week is the morning of Sunday the 26th. We’ve got 5ft of SW swell, but the wind is offshore, and the period is a very long 16 seconds. The combined energy is high (2848), and the forecast says “excellent for experienced surfers.” This is a groundswell, with a long period, so it’ll wrap nicely around the point. It’s for the experienced crew, but it’ll be a ripper.

Then we have a nice run from Tuesday the 28th afternoon through to Wednesday the 29th. On Tuesday afternoon, 5ft from the SW, 13-second period, light offshore wind, energy 925 – “very good.” Wednesday morning, 4ft, 12-second period, gentle offshore, energy 857 – “very good.” Wednesday afternoon, 3ft from the WSW, 15-second period, light offshore, energy 845 – “very good.” These are small, clean, offshore days for the loggers and fun seekers.

The last few days of the forecast, from Thursday the 30th onwards, are back to the big stuff – 10ft to 13ft, massive energy, and it’s all too big for this spot. Saturday the 1st of August is still 8ft to 10ft, cross-shore, and messy.

So, bottom line: the best of the best is Sunday morning the 19th – glassy, clean, good shape. If you’re an experienced surfer, hit Sunday morning the 26th for the offshore groundswell. Keep an eye on Tuesday the 28th afternoon and Wednesday the 29th for the small, clean, offshore windows.

Rusty.

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