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ST LUCIA, MAPELANE & CAPE VIDAL
5-DAY WEATHER, MARINE & FISHING PREDICTION
Catch-up edition: Saturday, 29 August to Wednesday, 2 September 2026.
COVERAGE
Area: St Lucia Estuary, Mapelane Coast and Cape Vidal.
Representative weather points: St Lucia Estuary (-28.38, 32.41), Mapelane (-28.40, 32.43) and Cape Vidal (-28.13, 32.55).
Report issued: Saturday, 29 August 2026 at 14:20 SAST.
OVERALL OUTLOOK
The period starts with fresh north-easterly winds and moderate-to-large open-water waves. Conditions ease through Monday and become more manageable from Tuesday, although Cape Vidal may still experience stronger winds than St Lucia and Mapelane. A North Coast fishing report dated 28 August recorded shad activity at Vidal and Mapelane, with four species reported north of Vidal, including shad, blacktail and stone bream.
SATURDAY — 29 AUGUST 2026
WEATHER & MARINE
- Temperature: St Lucia and Mapelane 16.6–24.7°C; Cape Vidal 16.9–23.3°C
- Rain probability: 0%
- Weather: Mainly clear
- Wind: NNE, up to 27 km/h at St Lucia and Mapelane; up to 32 km/h at Cape Vidal
- Waves offshore: Approximately 1.6–2.1 m; period 7–9 seconds
- Swell: Approximately 0.9–1.5 m; period about 6–11 seconds
- Wave energy: Moderate to high, approximately 3–6 kJ/m²
Fishing assessment: FAIR IN SHELTERED LOCATIONS, WITH CAUTION. Shad activity has been reported around Vidal and Mapelane, but the fresh wind and open-water conditions make exposed beaches and rocks hazardous.
SOLUNAR TIMES
- Activity rating: Very High/high astronomical activity
- Major period 1: 11:05–13:05 — opposing lunar transit
- Major period 2: 22:05–00:05 — lunar transit
- Minor period 1: 06:10–07:10 — moonset
- Minor period 2: 18:26–19:26 — moonrise
- Sunrise: 06:09 | Sunset: 17:35
- Moonrise: 18:57 | Moonset: 06:42
- Moon phase: Waning gibbous
TIDES — ST LUCIA / MAPELANE
- High: 04:18 — approximately 2.0 m
- Low: 10:21 — approximately 0.1 m
- High: 16:36 — approximately 2.1 m
- Low: 22:43 — approximately 0.2 m
- Tidal coefficient: 94 — very high range
FISHING FOCUS
Shad around Vidal and Mapelane remains the main focus, with blacktail and stone bream possible around suitable structure. Choose protected water and do not fish wave-washed rocks.
SUNDAY — 30 AUGUST 2026
WEATHER & MARINE
- Temperature: St Lucia and Mapelane 17.1–24.3°C; Cape Vidal 18.1–23.7°C
- Rain probability: Up to 4%; light drizzle possible
- Wind: W to WNW, up to 25 km/h at St Lucia and Mapelane; up to 26 km/h at Cape Vidal
- Waves offshore: Approximately 1.7–2.1 m; swell 1.4–1.9 m; period about 7–9 seconds
- Wave energy: Moderate to high, approximately 4–6 kJ/m²
Fishing assessment: FAIR IN PROTECTED LOCATIONS, WITH CAUTION. The wind direction changes while the swell remains sizeable. Assess exposed Cape Vidal beaches carefully.
SOLUNAR TIMES
- Activity rating: Very High/high astronomical activity
- Major period 1: 11:55–13:55 — opposing lunar transit
- Major period 2: 22:55–00:55 — lunar transit
- Minor period 1: 06:40–07:40 — moonset
- Minor period 2: 19:25–20:25 — moonrise
- Sunrise: 06:08 | Sunset: 17:36
- Moonrise: 19:56 | Moonset: 07:11
TIDES — ST LUCIA / MAPELANE
- High: 04:45 — approximately 2.0 m
- Low: 10:49 — approximately 0.1 m
- High: 17:04 — approximately 2.1 m
- Low: 23:11 — approximately 0.2 m
- Tidal coefficient: 93 — very high range
FISHING FOCUS
Fish the tide changes in sheltered water. Shad remains the principal reported target, but avoid forcing a session on exposed rocks while the swell is running.
MONDAY — 31 AUGUST 2026
WEATHER & MARINE
- Temperature: St Lucia and Mapelane 16.0–23.0°C; Cape Vidal 17.3–22.5°C
- Rain probability: Up to 45% around St Lucia and Mapelane; light drizzle possible
- Wind: ESE to SE, up to 16 km/h at St Lucia and Mapelane; up to 20 km/h at Cape Vidal
- Waves offshore: Approximately 1.5–2.0 m; swell 1.0–1.6 m; period about 6–8 seconds
- Wave energy: Moderate, approximately 3–5 kJ/m²
Fishing assessment: FAIR TO GOOD IN SUITABLE LOCATIONS. Lighter winds should improve access, but cloud and drizzle may reduce comfort.
SOLUNAR TIMES
- Activity rating: High astronomical activity
- Major period 1: 00:00–01:45 — lunar transit
- Major period 2: 11:45–13:45 — opposing lunar transit
- Minor period 1: 07:10–08:10 — moonset
- Minor period 2: 20:25–21:25 — moonrise
- Sunrise: 06:07 | Sunset: 17:36
- Moonrise: 20:58 | Moonset: 07:42
TIDES — ST LUCIA / MAPELANE
- High: 05:13 — approximately 2.0 m
- Low: 11:17 — approximately 0.1 m
- High: 17:32 — approximately 2.1 m
- Low: 23:40 — approximately 0.2 m
- Tidal coefficient: 87 — high range
FISHING FOCUS
Use the lighter wind and rising tide to target shad around Vidal and Mapelane. Sheltered estuary edges may be more comfortable than the exposed coast.
TUESDAY — 1 SEPTEMBER 2026
WEATHER & MARINE
- Temperature: St Lucia and Mapelane 19.1–27.1°C; Cape Vidal 19.5–24.8°C
- Rain probability: Up to 4%; partly cloudy and warmer
- Wind: NNE, up to 20 km/h at St Lucia and Mapelane; up to 26 km/h at Cape Vidal
- Waves offshore: Approximately 1.2–1.5 m; swell 0.7–1.0 m; period about 6–8 seconds
- Wave energy: Moderate to lower, approximately 2–4 kJ/m²
Fishing assessment: GOOD CONDITIONS IN MOST LOCATIONS, WITH NORMAL CAUTION. The smaller swell gives the best general beach-fishing opportunity of the period.
SOLUNAR TIMES
- Activity rating: High astronomical activity
- Major period 1: 00:35–02:35 — lunar transit
- Major period 2: 12:35–14:35 — opposing lunar transit
- Minor period 1: 07:45–08:45 — moonset
- Minor period 2: 21:30–22:30 — moonrise
- Sunrise: 06:06 | Sunset: 17:37
- Moonrise: 22:02 | Moonset: 08:15
TIDES — ST LUCIA / MAPELANE
- High: 05:42 — approximately 1.9 m
- Low: 11:46 — approximately 0.2 m
- High: 18:03 — approximately 2.0 m
- Tidal coefficient: 78 — high range
FISHING FOCUS
Target shad around the rising tide and late-afternoon high tide. The reduced swell improves access, but Cape Vidal wind can still be locally stronger.
WEDNESDAY — 2 SEPTEMBER 2026
WEATHER & MARINE
- Temperature: St Lucia and Mapelane 19.6–29.0°C; Cape Vidal 20.2–26.2°C
- Rain probability: 0–2%; mainly clear and warmer
- Wind: NNE, up to 18 km/h at St Lucia and Mapelane; up to 31 km/h at Cape Vidal
- Waves offshore: Approximately 1.2–1.6 m; swell 0.6–1.1 m; period about 7–10 seconds
- Wave energy: Moderate, approximately 2–4 kJ/m²
Fishing assessment: GOOD AROUND ST LUCIA AND MAPELANE, WITH CAUTION AT CAPE VIDAL. The swell is smaller, but Cape Vidal may be affected by stronger wind.
SOLUNAR TIMES
- Activity rating: Average to high astronomical activity
- Major period 1: 01:25–03:25 — lunar transit
- Major period 2: 13:25–15:25 — opposing lunar transit
- Minor period 1: 08:20–09:20 — moonset
- Minor period 2: 22:35–23:35 — moonrise
- Sunrise: 06:05 | Sunset: 17:37
- Moonrise: 23:08 | Moonset: 08:53
TIDES — ST LUCIA / MAPELANE
- Low: 00:11 — approximately 0.3 m
- High: 06:14 — approximately 1.8 m
- Low: 12:18 — approximately 0.3 m
- High: 18:36 — approximately 1.8 m
- Tidal coefficient: 68 — moderate range
FISHING FOCUS
St Lucia and Mapelane offer the more comfortable options if Cape Vidal becomes wind-affected. Fish the tide changes and continue watching for shad activity.
SAFETY & INFORMATION NOTICE
This is an informational prediction, not an official warning. Conditions can change quickly. Check the sea in person before fishing, launching or walking onto rocks. Avoid wave-washed ledges, river-mouth surge and exposed points in large swell. Use local knowledge, follow access rules and never allow solunar or tide timing to override actual conditions.
SOURCE LIMITATIONS
Weather and marine guidance: Open-Meteo model data checked on 29 August 2026. Tide, sunrise, sunset and moon data: Wisuki St Lucia Estuary and Surf-Forecast Mapelane/Cape Vidal tables checked on 29 August 2026. Fishing information: FOSAF North Coast report dated 28 August 2026. Tide times are shown for the St Lucia/Mapelane station; Cape Vidal timing and local beach conditions can differ.
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