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Surf Forecasts:

Witsands surfForecast / Cape Town / South Africa
Forecast update in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Witsands surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Witsands sea temperature is
18.8° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Witsands this week:
The surf forecast for Witsands over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Apr 24) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Witsands in the next 16 days are 3.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Apr 28) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 8s period and expected on Friday (Apr 24) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Fri 24th Apr) | 5ft (1.6m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Fri 24th Apr) | 5ft (1.6m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Tue 28th Apr) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Witsands over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Sun night, moderate winds from the SSE by Tue morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 7 | WSW 8 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | S 12 | S 13 | S 13 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SE 12 | |
3469 | 1699 | 762 | 368 | 291 | 217 | 194 | 192 | 154 | 305 | 416 | 2764 | 1751 | 2624 | 4004 | 3304 | 2859 | 1757 | 1053 | 847 | 933 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
cross-off | cross | cross-off | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | on | on | on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | |
High Tide | 8:40PM1.14m | 9:23AM1.06m | 10:21PM1.16m | 11:03AM1.08m | 11:37PM1.25m | 12:12PM1.16m | 00:30AM1.34m | 1:00PM1.24m | 1:11AM1.42m | 1:38PM1.31m | 1:45AM1.47m | 2:12PM1.37m | 2:17AM1.50m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:07PM0.46m | 3:11AM0.53m | 3:47PM0.50m | 4:58AM0.50m | 5:15PM0.47m | 6:09AM0.40m | 6:16PM0.40m | 6:58AM0.30m | 7:02PM0.33m | 7:36AM0.21m | 7:39PM0.28m | 8:09AM0.15m | 8:12PM0.24m | ||||||||
7:15 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | |
— | 6:14 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 5 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Temp °C | 15 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 15 |
13 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 9 | SW 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 12 | S 13 | S 13 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SW 9 |
3469 | 1699 | 762 | 368 | 291 | 217 | 194 | 192 | 154 | 66 | 200 | 757 | 1751 | 2624 | 4004 | 3304 | 2859 | 1757 | 1053 | 847 | 147 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 7 | NW 16 | — | SE 7 | NW 15 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 7 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | NW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 10 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SSW 15 |
88 | 10 | — | 54 | 8 | 55 | 26 | 9 | 41 | 76 | 74 | 6 | 1597 | 809 | 593 | 478 | 362 | 196 | 173 | 170 | 209 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NW 15 | W 9 | ESE 11 | SE 8 | NW 13 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 15 | — | NW 12 | S 19 | — | — | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
— | — | — | 8 | 2 | 11 | 2 | 7 | 25 | 23 | 21 | — | 6 | 7 | — | — | 38 | 39 | 130 | 163 | 168 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | — | — | — | — | NW 3 | WNW 4 | WSW 7 | WSW 8 | SW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 12 |
268 | 71 | 118 | — | — | — | — | 6 | 16 | 305 | 416 | 2764 | — | — | — | — | — | 32 | 47 | 51 | 933 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 7 | 19 | 7 | 10 | 167 | 168 | 168 | 6 | 9 | 47 | 29 | 6 | 346 | 10 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Town | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Witsands Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Witsands provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Witsands can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Witsands 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 (Witsands) 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 Witsands 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.
Are you planning a holiday in Cape Town? If you are looking for accommodation near Witsands, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Cape Town, consider staying in Cape Town which is 29 km (18 miles) away. Other places in and around Cape Town where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Bellville which is 40 km (25 miles) away, Robben Island, Kayamnandi and Stellenbosch.











