Vredenberg Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at what’s on the table for Vredenberg Point.

First off, the water’s sitting at 56°F which is a solid 4°F colder than it should be for this time of year. You’ll feel that chill for sure, so a good steamer isn’t optional, it’s essential. On the bright side, the swell direction out of the SW is exactly what this point craves, so when conditions line up, it’ll have some proper shape.

For the next few days, it is a bit grim. Wednesday afternoon and Thursday are pretty much write-offs with strong cross-onshore winds and lumpy, messy surf. The energy is building though – Thursday morning carries a moderate 2044 combined energy, but the onshore wind ruins it until it drops off. Friday onwards through to Saturday afternoon keeps teasing us with chest to head-high swell (5ft to 7ft) but the wind stays cross or cross-on, leaving that bumpy, cross-chop texture. Not ideal for the point.

Sunday the 13th is where I start to perk up. The wind swings to a light offshore from the N in the morning, cleaning up that 6ft SW groundswell with a solid 14-second period. That’s a proper groundswell, and with 1680 combined energy, it’s got some push. The point will handle that long period beautifully, offering long, racy lines and easier paddling between sets. The cross-off wind in the afternoon keeps it decent but not quite as clean as the morning. Sunday morning is our first real window – the best we’ve seen so far, no question.

Monday the 14th is less, well, let’s just say the wind ramps up again and the swell drops off to about 4ft. Tuesday the 15th keeps the swell small but that short 7-second period in the morning is pretty junky – not worth paddling for. Tuesday afternoon shows a 4ft SW groundswell with a juicy 17-second period, which is about as long as it gets. The problem is the wind is cross-shore, so it won’t be pristine, but the energy is there (1312 combined).

Now, the real standout in this whole outlook sits on Saturday the 19th and Sunday the 20th. No, wait – let me re-read that.

Actually, the best window on offer is Thursday the 17th in the morning. The wind goes light offshore from the SE at only 9 mph, the swell is a manageable 4ft out of the SW at 12 seconds, and the combined energy sits at 980 – not huge but enough for some fun, long walls. The forecast says "expect very good surf conditions," and with that gentle offshore breeze, Vredenberg Point will be glassy and clean. Crowds are "sometimes" here, and for a morning like that, you might just find yourself sharing it with only a few. That’s the one to pencil in.

After that, Friday the 18th morning has a bigger 8ft SW swell with a 15-second period and a light cross-on breeze. That’s a lot of water, period over 15 seconds, which means more power but longer lulls. Could be a bit much for the average surfer, and the wind is not truly offshore, so the surface won’t be perfect. Definitely more of an expert session, but the energy (2283 combined) is undeniable.

Sunday the 20th morning has another chance – light W wind at 3 mph, some cross-on, but the swell holds at 6ft from the SW. Not as clean as Thursday the 17th, but still rideable if the tide is right.

From Tuesday the 22nd through to the end of the forecast period on Thursday the 24th, things wind down. The swell drops to 4ft to 4ft, and the wind keeps swinging around. There are a couple of clean windows with offshore or light offshores on Wednesday the 23rd and Thursday the 24th, but the swell is small, so you’d be hunting for chest-high waves at best. Worth a paddle if you’re desperate.

Overall, the pick of the 16 days is definitely Thursday the 17th morning at Vredenberg Point. A clean, glassy point break with a nice SW groundswell, light offshore wind, and not everyone and their dog around. After that, Sunday the 13th morning is your second call.

Rusty.

Read more