Surf Forecasts:
Yzerfontein surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SW swell with 3,216 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 13s period with WSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Yzerfontein this week:
The surf forecast for Yzerfontein over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 14s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Yzerfontein in the next 16 days are 3.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Yzerfontein over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, I'm Rusty, and let's get real about the surf ahead for Yzerfontein. It's a beach and reef set-up, and this forecast is a real mixed bag, with some serious size but the wind is gonna be a pain for most of the run.
We start Monday afternoon, August 17th, with a solid 8ft swell from the WSW, with a period of 13 seconds. The combined energy is a hefty 2216 (moderate to strong energy), but the wind is a cross-on from the WNW at 9 mph, which is gonna leave it a bit choppy. The water is a chilly 54°F, which is a staggering 6°F colder than normal for this time of year – that's bloody unusual, so a thick wetsuit is a must.
The next few days, from Tuesday the 18th right through to Sunday the 23rd, are a real grind. We've got consistent swell, hovering between 6ft and 8ft, mainly from the SW, but it's almost always cross-shore or cross-onshore winds, and the conditions are described as marginal or poor. The scores are low, and it's just not worth paddling out for a few waves in lumpy, choppy conditions. It's a frustrating run of average surf.
Now, we do get a couple of interesting windows. Thursday morning, August 20th, sees a big jump in size to 10ft from the SW, with a combined energy of 3216 (strong). The wind is a clean cross-off from the SSE at 9 mph, but the commentary says it’s too big for this break. That's a call for experts only, and even then, it might be a washing machine. The same goes for the afternoon.
Then, on Wednesday, August 26th, things finally look promising. The morning shows a 6ft swell from the WSW, period of 12 seconds, with a cross-off breeze from the ENE at 6 mph. The conditions are clean, and the forecast says "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers." This is a standout moment. The afternoon is also clean with a cross-off breeze from the SSE. The drop in wind and decent swell size makes this the best on offer in the forecast.
The end of the month and into September is a bit of a wild card. We see another monster pulse on Friday, August 28th, with a 10ft swell from the WSW and a very long period of 15 seconds, and energy hitting 3456. But again, it's called too big for this break. The 30th of August sees a massive 12ft swell from the SW with a 15-second period and energy of 6863 – that's a serious amount of water, but it's just too big for Yzerfontein.
The real gem for the second week is on Monday, August 31st. The afternoon session has a 7ft swell from the SW, period of 13 seconds, and the wind is offshore from the ESE at just 3 mph. The report says "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers." That light offshore wind will have those lines peeling clean. It's a promising note to end on, but it's a long way out, so keep an eye on it.
Bottom line: August 26th is your best bet for a decent session, and August 31st looks like a potential classic if the forecast holds. For the rest of it, it's a lot of waiting for the right conditions to line up.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | ||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
2026 | 1783 | 1640 | 1975 | 2495 | 1966 | 1638 | 1451 | 3216 | 2665 | 1821 | 969 | 925 | 404 | 807 | 1550 | 1921 | 1522 | 1430 | 874 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:13PM1.43m | 6:33AM1.22m | 6:48PM1.29m | 7:13AM1.10m | 7:30PM1.15m | 8:08AM0.99m | 8:33PM1.04m | 9:49AM0.92m | 10:25PM0.98m | 11:53AM0.96m | 00:05AM1.04m | 12:57PM1.07m | 1:01AM1.13m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:31AM0.30m | 12:30PM0.38m | 1:08AM0.42m | 1:07PM0.51m | 1:55AM0.53m | 1:58PM0.63m | 3:19AM0.62m | 3:54PM0.70m | 5:32AM0.61m | 6:08PM0.66m | 6:45AM0.52m | 7:07PM0.55m | ||||||||
— | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | |
6:19 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:21 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 14 |
Feels °C | 16 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 |
2026 | 1783 | 1640 | 1975 | 2495 | 1966 | 1638 | 1451 | 3216 | 2665 | 1821 | 969 | 435 | 317 | 807 | 1550 | 1921 | 1522 | 1430 | 874 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 16 | — | SW 12 | WSW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 11 | — | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | — | — | — | — | — |
190 | — | 689 | 308 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 302 | — | 317 | 24 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 6 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | — | — | — | — | SSW 4 | S 6 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 106 | 925 | 404 | — | — | — | — | 24 | 101 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 72 | 59 | 54 | 105 | 39 | 59 | 68 | 0 | 59 | 59 | 0 | 59 | 91 | 52 | 54 | 68 | 54 | 59 | 65 | 50 |
Best forecast wave conditions in West Coast | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Information about the Yzerfontein Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Yzerfontein provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Yzerfontein can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Yzerfontein 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 (Yzerfontein) 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 Yzerfontein 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.
Yzerfontein is 39 km (24 miles) from the city of Saldanha. If you plan a holiday in West Coast, look for hotels and other accommodation in Saldanha. Saldanha has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











