Yzerfontein Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s talk about Yzerfontein over the next couple of weeks. Alright, straight up – this is a tricky stretch with some proper size events, but the window of clean, rideable surf is narrow. There are a couple of days where it all lines up, but mostly you'll be waiting.

First up, Friday morning the 4th of September. There’s a solid 10 ft S swell running, with 1476 combined energy – that’s strong. The wind is SE at 22 mph, which puts it cross-offshore, keeping things clean. But here’s the thing – this break can’t handle a swell this size. The wave comment says it’s too big for the break, so unless you’re looking for a washing machine, give it a miss. Same story for Friday afternoon.

Saturday the 5th gives us a drop in size – 6 ft to 6 ft S swell, period around 9–10 seconds. Combined energy is moderate (538 to 705), but the wind is cross-offshore and the forecast is marginal with questionable tide. Not worth paddling out for.

Now, Sunday the 6th of September is the big one that stands out. Morning session: 7 ft SW swell, but holy moly, the period is 18 seconds – that’s a very long period groundswell, meaning proper energy and long lulls. Combined energy is 2617, so moderate but punchy. Wind is ESE at 9 mph, cross-offshore, and the wave comment says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” At 7 ft, it’s getting into the zone where it might be too big for beginners, but for experienced crew on a reef or point break, that long period will wrap in nicely. The afternoon drops to 6 ft, but wind swings SW at 6 mph, cross-onshore, and quality fades – marginal at best.

Monday 7th is all marginal – 6 ft to 6 ft SW swell but with cross-onshore winds and a building chop. Not your day.

Tuesday morning the 8th is interesting. Swell drops to 4 ft SSW, period 12 seconds, combined energy only 624 – weak to low-moderate. But wind is S at 3 mph and glassy. The wave comment says “expect very good surf conditions.” For a small clean wave, this is the pick for beginners or anyone wanting a longboard cruise. Afternoon sees the wind turn cross-shore and it gets sloppy.

Wednesday the 9th is poor to marginal – small swell and onshore wind.

Thursday the 10th through Monday the 14th is mostly a write-off. Swells bump up to 7 ft to 13 ft, but winds are strong cross-shore or cross-onshore, and conditions are lumpy, messy, or just too big for the break. That 13 ft on Saturday the 12th afternoon is a massive 10304 combined energy – very strong, but way too big for safe paddle surfing. More of a kite day if anything.

Monday the 14th morning brings a reprieve: 3 ft SW swell, period 11 seconds, and wind is E at 9 mph, offshore. Combined energy is low (361), but the wave comment says “expect good surf conditions.” Glassy, clean, small – again a nice window for a cruiser.

Tuesday the 15th onwards turns ugly – onshore winds, bumpy, poor conditions with swell around 6 ft to 8 ft. Not worth it.

Then Thursday the 18th of September, we get another massive 13 ft SW swell (6546 to 4915 combined energy), but it’s way too big for the break again. Wind is light cross-onshore to cross-shore, but the size kills it.

So, the standout is definitely Sunday morning the 6th of September – 7 ft, 18-second SW groundswell, clean cross-offshore wind, and conditions for experienced surfers. The secondary pick is Tuesday morning the 8th – small but glassy, perfect for a mellow session.

Water temperature is 53°F, with an anomaly of -7°F – that’s much colder than normal for this time of year at Yzerfontein. It’s a thick wetsuit kind of winter.

Rusty.

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