10-day surf forecast with Strike Scores for Cave Rock, Durban, South Africa
Cave Rock is Durban's heaviest wave—a powerful right-hander that breaks in two distinct sections: The Pool and The Rock. When solid Indian Ocean swells hit this stretch of coast, Cave Rock produces thick, hollow barrels that rival anything in South Africa. The wave has a dedicated local crew and a history of heavy sessions. Named for the famous rock formation and sea cave that marks the takeoff zone, this is Durban surfing at its most intense.
Best day in the forecast: 2026-08-14 with a score of 51/100 (Fair)
Poor conditions overall: Average score 17/100. Look for spots with better forecasts.
No alignment: Swell from 113° is outside workable range 180°-225°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
Too small: 1.3m is below minimum 1.8m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
Short period: 10s is below minimum 12s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
Onshore/cross-shore: 7 km/h from 88° (E). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 247°-337°.
Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
Poor conditions at Cave Rock. Either swell direction (113°), size (1.3m), or wind (7 km/h from 88°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.3m (4.3ft) swell from 113° (ESE) at 10s period
Poor alignment: Swell from 147° is 55° off optimal 202°, barely within workable range 180°-225°.
Too small: 1.0m is below minimum 1.8m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
Moderate period: 12s meets minimum 12s but below ideal 14s. Some groundswell energy present.
Onshore/cross-shore: 15 km/h from 202° (SSW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 247°-337°.
Poor conditions at Cave Rock. Either swell direction (147°), size (1.0m), or wind (15 km/h from 202°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.0m (3.3ft) swell from 147° (SSE) at 12s period
Local wind-generated waves (choppy, short-period)
Moderate alignment: Swell from 188° is 14° off optimal 202°, workable but not ideal.
Moderate period: 13s meets minimum 12s but below ideal 14s. Some groundswell energy present.
Onshore/cross-shore: 7 km/h from 131° (SE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 247°-337°.
Poor conditions at Cave Rock. Either swell direction (188°), size (1.3m), or wind (7 km/h from 131°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.3m (4.3ft) swell from 188° (S) at 13s period
Moderate alignment: Swell from 177° is 25° off optimal 202°, workable but not ideal.
Too small: 1.1m is below minimum 1.8m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
Perfect period: 15s is at or above ideal 14s. Long-period groundswell with maximum power.
Onshore/cross-shore: 15 km/h from 32° (NNE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 247°-337°.
Poor conditions at Cave Rock. Either swell direction (177°), size (1.1m), or wind (15 km/h from 32°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.1m (3.6ft) swell from 177° (S) at 15s period
No alignment: Swell from 76° is outside workable range 180°-225°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
Too small: 1.2m is below minimum 1.8m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
Short period: 11s is below minimum 12s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
Onshore/cross-shore: 22 km/h from 208° (SSW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 247°-337°.
-10 points: Short-period windswell is present, creating choppy, disorganized conditions.
Poor conditions at Cave Rock. Either swell direction (76°), size (1.2m), or wind (22 km/h from 208°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.2m (3.9ft) swell from 76° (ENE) at 11s period
Poor alignment: Swell from 169° is 33° off optimal 202°, barely within workable range 180°-225°.
Marginal size: 2.0m is 0.8m from ideal 2.8m.
Onshore/cross-shore: 29 km/h from 212° (SSW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 247°-337°.
-10 points: Previous days of onshore wind left residual chop ("morning sickness"), reducing wave quality.
-7 points: Short-period windswell is present, creating choppy, disorganized conditions.
Poor conditions at Cave Rock. Either swell direction (169°), size (2.0m), or wind (29 km/h from 212°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
2.0m (6.6ft) swell from 169° (S) at 10s period
Moderate alignment: Swell from 184° is 18° off optimal 202°, workable but not ideal.
Marginal size: 2.7m is 0.0m from ideal 2.8m.
Onshore/cross-shore: 27 km/h from 207° (SSW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 247°-337°.
-17 points: Previous days of onshore wind left residual chop ("morning sickness"), reducing wave quality.
-5 points: Short-period windswell is present, creating choppy, disorganized conditions.
Poor conditions at Cave Rock. Either swell direction (184°), size (2.7m), or wind (27 km/h from 207°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
2.7m (8.9ft) swell from 184° (S) at 11s period
Poor alignment: Swell from 156° is 46° off optimal 202°, barely within workable range 180°-225°.
Marginal size: 2.3m is 0.5m from ideal 2.8m.
Onshore/cross-shore: 8 km/h from 207° (SSW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 247°-337°.
-21 points: Previous days of onshore wind left residual chop ("morning sickness"), reducing wave quality.
Poor conditions at Cave Rock. Either swell direction (156°), size (2.3m), or wind (8 km/h from 207°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
2.3m (7.5ft) swell from 156° (SSE) at 13s period
Very low confidence (8-10 day forecast, conditions may change)
No alignment: Swell from 142° is outside workable range 180°-225°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
Marginal size: 3.7m is 1.0m from ideal 2.8m.
Onshore/cross-shore: 9 km/h from 32° (NNE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 247°-337°.
-11 points: Previous days of onshore wind left residual chop ("morning sickness"), reducing wave quality.
Poor conditions at Cave Rock. Either swell direction (142°), size (3.7m), or wind (9 km/h from 32°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
3.7m (12.1ft) swell from 142° (SE) at 13s period
Poor alignment: Swell from 172° is 30° off optimal 202°, barely within workable range 180°-225°.
Good size: 3.0m is within 15% of ideal 2.8m.
Onshore/cross-shore: 8 km/h from 30° (NNE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 247°-337°.
Surfable but not special at Cave Rock. The 3.0m swell from 172° is workable, but conditions aren't ideal. Fine if you're local, but not worth a dedicated trip.
3.0m (9.8ft) swell from 172° (S) at 13s period
Open-Meteo Weather API (wind/weather data)