Surf Forecast for Cape St Francis
type: Dataset
description: 10-day surf forecast with Strike Scores for Cape St Francis, Eastern Cape, South Africa
about: Cape St Francis
  type: TouristAttraction
  geo: GeoCoordinates
    latitude: -34.2
    longitude: 24.8333
  description: Cape St Francis is where the endless summer dream began—the right-hand point break immortalized by Bruce Brown's iconic 1966 film that launched the global surf travel movement. While the wave rarely reaches the perfection of those legendary frames, when conditions align, it still delivers long, reeling walls along the rocky point with the same magic that captivated audiences worldwide. The Bruce's Beauties section on bigger swells offers the most defined waves, and the surrounding coastline is dotted with additional breaks worth exploring. This is hallowed ground for surf history.
summary:
  best day:
    date: 2026-08-05
    score: 71
    category: Good
    explanation: Best day in the forecast: 2026-08-05 with a score of 71/100 (Good)
  firing days count: 0
  overall recommendation: Poor conditions overall: Average score 38/100. Look for spots with better forecasts.
forecasts:
  date: 2026-08-04
  day index: 0
  strike score:
    final score: 62
    category: Fair
    category emoji: 😐
    confidence: 1
    confidence explanation: Very high confidence (0-1 day forecast)
    breakdown:
      swell direction:
        score: 12
        out of: 25
        explanation: Moderate alignment: Swell from 203° is 23° off optimal 180°, workable but not ideal.
      swell size:
        score: 14
        out of: 25
        explanation: Marginal size: 1.4m is 0.3m from ideal 1.6m.
      swell period:
        score: 14
        out of: 25
        explanation: Moderate period: 12s meets minimum 10s but below ideal 14s. Some groundswell energy present.
      wind:
        score: 22
        out of: 25
        explanation: Strong offshore: 20 km/h from 307° (NW). Grooming but may make paddling difficult.
    adjustments:
      wind history:
        adjustment: 0
        groomed: false
        morning sickness: false
        explanation: No significant wind history adjustment.
      windswell penalty:
        adjustment: 0
        windswell degraded: false
        explanation: Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
      secondary swell bonus:
        adjustment: 0
        explanation: No secondary swell bonus.
    summary: Surfable but not special at Cape St Francis. The 1.4m swell from 203° is workable, but conditions aren't ideal. Fine if you're local, but not worth a dedicated trip.
  conditions:
    swell:
      height m: 1.4
      height ft: 4.6
      direction degrees: 203
      direction cardinal: SSW
      period s: 12
      explanation: 1.4m (4.6ft) swell from 203° (SSW) at 12s period
    wind:
      speed kmh: 20
      speed mph: 12.4
      direction degrees: 307
      direction cardinal: NW
      explanation: 20 km/h (12 mph) from 307° (NW)
    secondary swell:
      height m: 0.9
      direction degrees: 141
      direction cardinal: SE
      period s: 9
forecasts:
  date: 2026-08-05
  day index: 1
  strike score:
    final score: 71
    category: Good
    category emoji: ✅
    confidence: 1
    confidence explanation: Very high confidence (0-1 day forecast)
    breakdown:
      swell direction:
        score: 7
        out of: 25
        explanation: Poor alignment: Swell from 220° is 40° off optimal 180°, barely within workable range 150°-210°.
      swell size:
        score: 20
        out of: 25
        explanation: Good size: 1.8m is within 15% of ideal 1.6m.
      swell period:
        score: 25
        out of: 25
        explanation: Perfect period: 15s is at or above ideal 14s. Long-period groundswell with maximum power.
      wind:
        score: 25
        out of: 25
        explanation: Light offshore: 9 km/h from 295° (WNW). Grooming the wave face beautifully.
    adjustments:
      wind history:
        adjustment: 0
        groomed: false
        morning sickness: false
        explanation: No significant wind history adjustment.
      windswell penalty:
        adjustment: 0
        windswell degraded: false
        explanation: Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
      secondary swell bonus:
        adjustment: 0
        explanation: No secondary swell bonus.
    summary: Good surfable conditions at Cape St Francis. 1.8m swell from 220° with manageable wind. Solid session guaranteed.
  conditions:
    swell:
      height m: 1.8
      height ft: 5.9
      direction degrees: 220
      direction cardinal: SW
      period s: 15
      explanation: 1.8m (5.9ft) swell from 220° (SW) at 15s period
    wind:
      speed kmh: 9
      speed mph: 5.6
      direction degrees: 295
      direction cardinal: WNW
      explanation: 9 km/h (6 mph) from 295° (WNW)
    secondary swell:
      height m: 0.7
      direction degrees: 134
      direction cardinal: SE
      period s: 8
forecasts:
  date: 2026-08-06
  day index: 2
  strike score:
    final score: 36
    category: Poor
    category emoji: 💤
    confidence: 0.95
    confidence explanation: High confidence (2-3 day forecast)
    breakdown:
      swell direction:
        score: 5
        out of: 25
        explanation: Poor alignment: Swell from 228° is 48° off optimal 180°, barely within workable range 150°-210°.
      swell size:
        score: 1
        out of: 25
        explanation: Too big: 4.5m exceeds maximum 2.5m. Risk of closeouts.
      swell period:
        score: 25
        out of: 25
        explanation: Perfect period: 15s is at or above ideal 14s. Long-period groundswell with maximum power.
      wind:
        score: 5
        out of: 25
        explanation: Onshore/cross-shore: 15 km/h from 259° (W). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 260°-340°.
    adjustments:
      wind history:
        adjustment: 0
        groomed: false
        morning sickness: false
        explanation: No significant wind history adjustment.
      windswell penalty:
        adjustment: 0
        windswell degraded: false
        explanation: Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
      secondary swell bonus:
        adjustment: 0
        explanation: No secondary swell bonus.
    summary: Poor conditions at Cape St Francis. Either swell direction (228°), size (4.5m), or wind (15 km/h from 259°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
  conditions:
    swell:
      height m: 4.5
      height ft: 14.8
      direction degrees: 228
      direction cardinal: SW
      period s: 15
      explanation: 4.5m (14.8ft) swell from 228° (SW) at 15s period
    wind:
      speed kmh: 15
      speed mph: 9.3
      direction degrees: 259
      direction cardinal: W
      explanation: 15 km/h (9 mph) from 259° (W)
    secondary swell:
      height m: 0.5
      direction degrees: 100
      direction cardinal: E
      period s: 8
    windswell:
      height m: 0.4
      period s: 3
      explanation: Local wind-generated waves (choppy, short-period)
forecasts:
  date: 2026-08-07
  day index: 3
  strike score:
    final score: 46
    category: Fair
    category emoji: 😐
    confidence: 0.92
    confidence explanation: High confidence (2-3 day forecast)
    summary: Surfable but not special at Cape St Francis. The 3.7m swell from 225° is workable, but conditions aren't ideal. Fine if you're local, but not worth a dedicated trip.
provider: Strike Mission
date published: 2026-08-04T23:47:36.773Z
temporal coverage: 2026-08-04/2026-08-13
data sources: Open-Meteo Marine API (swell/wave data)
data sources: Open-Meteo Weather API (wind/weather data)

swell direction:
  score: 6
  out of: 25
  explanation: Poor alignment: Swell from 225° is 45° off optimal 180°, barely within workable range 150°-210°.
swell size:
  score: 3
  out of: 25
  explanation: Too big: 3.7m exceeds maximum 2.5m. Risk of closeouts.
swell period:
  score: 25
  out of: 25
  explanation: Perfect period: 14s is at or above ideal 14s. Long-period groundswell with maximum power.
wind:
  score: 9
  out of: 25
  explanation: Onshore/cross-shore: 12 km/h from 239° (WSW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 260°-340°.

wind history:
  adjustment: 0
  groomed: false
  morning sickness: false
  explanation: No significant wind history adjustment.
windswell penalty:
  adjustment: 0
  windswell degraded: false
  explanation: Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
secondary swell bonus:
  adjustment: 0
  explanation: No secondary swell bonus.

swell:
  height m: 3.7
  height ft: 12.1
  direction degrees: 225
  direction cardinal: SW
  period s: 14
  explanation: 3.7m (12.1ft) swell from 225° (SW) at 14s period
wind:
  speed kmh: 12
  speed mph: 7.5
  direction degrees: 239
  direction cardinal: WSW
  explanation: 12 km/h (7 mph) from 239° (WSW)

date: 2026-08-08
day index: 4
strike score:
  final score: 38
  category: Poor
  category emoji: 💤
  confidence: 0.89
  confidence explanation: Moderate confidence (4-5 day forecast)
  breakdown:
    swell direction:
      score: 6
      out of: 25
      explanation: Poor alignment: Swell from 223° is 43° off optimal 180°, barely within workable range 150°-210°.
    swell size:
      score: 4
      out of: 25
      explanation: Too big: 3.4m exceeds maximum 2.5m. Risk of closeouts.
    swell period:
      score: 25
      out of: 25
      explanation: Perfect period: 15s is at or above ideal 14s. Long-period groundswell with maximum power.
    wind:
      score: 6
      out of: 25
      explanation: Strong offshore: 29 km/h from 267° (W). Grooming but may make paddling difficult.
  adjustments:
    wind history:
      adjustment: 0
      groomed: false
      morning sickness: false
      explanation: No significant wind history adjustment.
    windswell penalty:
      adjustment: -3
      windswell degraded: false
      explanation: Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
    secondary swell bonus:
      adjustment: 0
      explanation: No secondary swell bonus.
  summary: Poor conditions at Cape St Francis. Either swell direction (223°), size (3.4m), or wind (29 km/h from 267°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
conditions:
  swell:
    height m: 3.4
    height ft: 11.2
    direction degrees: 223
    direction cardinal: SW
    period s: 15
    explanation: 3.4m (11.2ft) swell from 223° (SW) at 15s period
  wind:
    speed kmh: 29
    speed mph: 18.0
    direction degrees: 267
    direction cardinal: W
    explanation: 29 km/h (18 mph) from 267° (W)
  windswell:
    height m: 1.6
    period s: 5
    explanation: Local wind-generated waves (choppy, short-period)

date: 2026-08-09
day index: 5
strike score:
  final score: 3
  category: Poor
  category emoji: 💤
  confidence: 0.86
  confidence explanation: Moderate confidence (4-5 day forecast)
  breakdown:
    swell direction:
      score: 6
      out of: 25
      explanation: Poor alignment: Swell from 224° is 44° off optimal 180°, barely within workable range 150°-210°.
    swell size:
      score: 2
      out of: 25
      explanation: Too big: 3.8m exceeds maximum 2.5m. Risk of closeouts.
    swell period:
      score: 8
      out of: 25
      explanation: Moderate period: 11s meets minimum 10s but below ideal 14s. Some groundswell energy present.
    wind:
      score: 0
      out of: 25
      explanation: Onshore/cross-shore: 23 km/h from 198° (SSW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 260°-340°.
  adjustments:
    wind history:
      adjustment: 0
      groomed: false
      morning sickness: false
      explanation: No significant wind history adjustment.
    windswell penalty:
      adjustment: 0
      windswell degraded: false
      explanation: Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
    secondary swell bonus:
      adjustment: 0
      explanation: No secondary swell bonus.
  summary: Poor conditions at Cape St Francis. Either swell direction (224°), size (3.8m), or wind (23 km/h from 198°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
conditions:
  swell:
    height m: 3.8
    height ft: 12.5
    direction degrees: 224
    direction cardinal: SW
    period s: 11
    explanation: 3.8m (12.5ft) swell from 224° (SW) at 11s period
  wind:
    speed kmh: 23
    speed mph: 14.3
    direction degrees: 198
    direction cardinal: SSW
    explanation: 23 km/h (14 mph) from 198° (SSW)
  secondary swell:
    height m: 0.7
    direction degrees: 188
    direction cardinal: S
    period s: 6
  windswell:
    height m: 1.2
    period s: 4
    explanation: Local wind-generated waves (choppy, short-period)

date: 2026-08-10
day index: 6
strike score:
  final score: 0
  category: Poor
  category emoji: 💤
  confidence: 0.83
  confidence explanation: Low confidence (6-7 day forecast)
  breakdown:
    swell direction:
      score: 9
      out of: 25
      explanation: Poor alignment: Swell from 211° is 31° off optimal 180°, barely within workable range 150°-210°.
    swell size:
      score: 1
      out of: 25
      explanation: Too big: 4.3m exceeds maximum 2.5m. Risk of closeouts.
    swell period:
      score: 8
      out of: 25
      explanation: Moderate period: 11s meets minimum 10s but below ideal 14s. Some groundswell energy present.
    wind:
      score: 1
      out of: 25
      explanation: Onshore/cross-shore: 18 km/h from 175° (S). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 260°-340°.
  adjustments:
    wind history:
      adjustment: -10
      groomed: false
      morning sickness: true
      explanation: -10 points: Previous days of onshore wind left residual chop ("morning sickness"), reducing wave quality.
    windswell penalty:
      adjustment: 0
      windswell degraded: false
      explanation: Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
    secondary swell bonus:
      adjustment: 0
      explanation: No secondary swell bonus.
  summary: Poor conditions at Cape St Francis. Either swell direction (211°), size (4.3m), or wind (18 km/h from 175°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
conditions:
  swell:
    height m: 4.3
    height ft: 14.1
    direction degrees: 211
    direction cardinal: SSW
    period s: 11
    explanation: 4.3m (14.1ft) swell from 211° (SSW) at 11s period
  wind:
    speed kmh: 18
    speed mph: 11.2
    direction degrees: 175
    direction cardinal: S
    explanation: 18 km/h (11 mph) from 175° (S)
  windswell:
    height m: 0.8
    period s: 3
    explanation: Local wind-generated waves (choppy, short-period)

date: 2026-08-11
day index: 7
strike score:
  final score: 26
  category: Poor
  category emoji: 💤
  confidence: 0.8
  confidence explanation: Low confidence (6-7 day forecast)
  breakdown:
    swell direction:
      score: 14
      out of: 25
      explanation: Moderate alignment: Swell from 197° is 17° off optimal 180°, workable but not ideal.
    swell size:
      score: 5
      out of: 25
      explanation: Too big: 3.3m exceeds maximum 2.5m. Risk of closeouts.
    swell period:
      score: 14
      out of: 25
      explanation: Moderate period: 12s meets minimum 10s but below ideal 14s. Some groundswell energy present.
    wind:
      score: 4
      out of: 25
      explanation: Onshore/cross-shore: 13 km/h from 73° (ENE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 260°-340°.
  adjustments:
    wind history:
      adjustment: -7
      groomed: false
      morning sickness: true
      explanation: -7 points: Previous days of onshore wind left residual chop ("morning sickness"), reducing wave quality.
    windswell penalty:
      adjustment: 0
      windswell degraded: false
      explanation: Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
    secondary swell bonus:
      adjustment: 0
      explanation: No secondary swell bonus.
  summary: Poor conditions at Cape St Francis. Either swell direction (197°), size (3.3m), or wind (13 km/h from 73°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
conditions:
  swell:
    height m: 3.3
    height ft: 10.8
    direction degrees: 197
    direction cardinal: SSW
    period s: 12
    explanation: 3.3m (10.8ft) swell from 197° (SSW) at 12s period
  wind:
    speed kmh: 13
    speed mph: 8.1
    direction degrees: 73
    direction cardinal: ENE
    explanation: 13 km/h (8 mph) from 73° (ENE)
  secondary swell:
    height m: 0.6
    direction degrees: 111
    direction cardinal: ESE
    period s: 8
  windswell:
    height m: 0.5
    period s: 3
    explanation: Local wind-generated waves (choppy, short-period)

date: 2026-08-12
day index: 8
strike score:
  final score: 61
  category: Fair
  category emoji: 😐
  confidence: 0.8
  confidence explanation: Very low confidence (8-10 day forecast, conditions may change)
  breakdown:
    swell direction:
      score: 21
      out of: 25
      explanation: Good alignment: Swell from 185° is 5° off optimal 180°, still within prime range.
    swell size:
      score: 18
      out of: 25
      explanation: Marginal size: 1.7m is 0.1m from ideal 1.6m.
    swell period:
      score: 25
      out of: 25
      explanation: Perfect period: 16s is at or above ideal 14s. Long-period groundswell with maximum power.
    wind:
      score: 6
      out of: 25
      explanation: Onshore/cross-shore: 12 km/h from 73° (ENE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 260°-340°.
  adjustments:
    wind history:
      adjustment: -4
      groomed: false
      morning sickness: false
      explanation: No significant wind history adjustment.
    windswell penalty:
      adjustment: 0
      windswell degraded: false
      explanation: Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
    secondary swell bonus:
      adjustment: 0
      explanation: No secondary swell bonus.
  summary: Surfable but not special at Cape St Francis. The 1.7m swell from 185° is workable, but conditions aren't ideal. Fine if you're local, but not worth a dedicated trip.
conditions:
  swell:
    height m: 1.7
    height ft: 5.6
    direction degrees: 185
    direction cardinal: S
    period s: 16
    explanation: 1.7m (5.6ft) swell from 185° (S) at 16s period
  wind:
    speed kmh: 12
    speed mph: 7.5
    direction degrees: 73
    direction cardinal: ENE
    explanation: 12 km/h (7 mph) from 73° (ENE)
  secondary swell:
    height m: 0.7
    direction degrees: 216
    direction cardinal: SW
    period s: 15
  windswell:
    height m: 0.3
    period s: 2
    explanation: Local wind-generated waves (choppy, short-period)

date: 2026-08-13
day index: 9
strike score:
  final score: 36
  category: Poor
  category emoji: 💤
  confidence: 0.8
  confidence explanation: Very low confidence (8-10 day forecast, conditions may change)
  breakdown:
    swell direction:
      score: 8
      out of: 25
      explanation: Poor alignment: Swell from 215° is 35° off optimal 180°, barely within workable range 150°-210°.
    swell size:
      score: 11
      out of: 25
      explanation: Too big: 2.8m exceeds maximum 2.5m. Risk of closeouts.
    swell period:
      score: 25
      out of: 25
      explanation: Perfect period: 17s is at or above ideal 14s. Long-period groundswell with maximum power.
    wind:
      score: 1
      out of: 25
      explanation: Onshore/cross-shore: 20 km/h from 70° (ENE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 260°-340°.
  adjustments:
    wind history:
      adjustment: 0
      groomed: false
      morning sickness: false
      explanation: No significant wind history adjustment.
    windswell penalty:
      adjustment: 0
      windswell degraded: false
      explanation: Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
    secondary swell bonus:
      adjustment: 0
      explanation: No secondary swell bonus.
  summary: Poor conditions at Cape St Francis. Either swell direction (215°), size (2.8m), or wind (20 km/h from 70°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
conditions:
  swell:
    height m: 2.8
    height ft: 9.2
    direction degrees: 215
    direction cardinal: SW
    period s: 17
    explanation: 2.8m (9.2ft) swell from 215° (SW) at 17s period
  wind:
    speed kmh: 20
    speed mph: 12.4
    direction degrees: 70
    direction cardinal: ENE
    explanation: 20 km/h (12 mph) from 70° (ENE)
  secondary swell:
    height m: 1
    direction degrees: 124
    direction cardinal: SE
    period s: 6
  windswell:
    height m: 0.7
    period s: 3
    explanation: Local wind-generated waves (choppy, short-period)

Strike Mission
type: Organization