Surf Forecasts:
Albatross surf forecast from 13 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 13s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 13s period, SW swell with 2,031 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 15 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 14s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Albatross this week:
The surf forecast for Albatross over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 14s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Albatross in the next 16 days are 2.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.4m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 13) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Albatross over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let's break down the same stretch for Albatross in feet and degrees Fahrenheit.
This break is a sheltered, consistent sand-and-reef setup that works great for beginners, and it's been catching a real nice, long run of SW groundswell.
The water is hanging at a very unusual 57.7°, which is over 8° colder than normal for this time of year. That is a serious, deep chill—don't even think about going out without a thick wetsuit and booties.
We’re starting out rough. Thursday and Friday (August 13 and 14) are blown out with poor conditions and nasty onshore winds. Not worth paddling out.
The first real chance comes Saturday morning, August 15. It'll be tiny—only 3.6ft of long-period (14-second) SW swell with glassy conditions. The combined energy is weak (483), but it’ll be a clean little wave for a log or a foil.
The good stuff kicks off Sunday afternoon, August 16, with clean waves around 4.6ft and a 13-second period. From there it just keeps building. The true standout stretch is Monday, August 17, through Wednesday, August 20. That gives us a solid 6.6ft to 7.5ft of SW groundswell, moderate offshore to clean winds, and combined energy readings around 1110 to 1551. That’s moderate energy, but the quality is exceptional for a beginner-friendly wave. Get out Monday morning (August 17) with that 6.6ft swell and a light 5 km/h offshore breeze—it will be as good as it gets for the average surfer.
Now, for the big dogs. Saturday, August 22, the swell pumps up to a powerful 10ft (combined energy 3566) with clean, light offshore winds. This is expert territory only—well over 8ft and packing punch. Then on Friday, August 28, another round of 10ft SW swell hits with offshore wind. Again, big and heavy, for experienced surfers only. These are the best waves on offer in the whole period, but they’re not for the faint of heart.
After a couple of messy days at the start, this is a really strong run of clean, consistent, and fun-sized SW swell at Albatross. The big days at the end are the headline acts, but they require serious skill.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Sun morning, min 14°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sun afternoon, min 14°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 14 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1929 | 1225 | 930 | 831 | 746 | 465 | 532 | 465 | 501 | 632 | 285 | 1547 | 1756 | 1401 | 1200 | 1242 | 1545 | 2031 | 1789 | 1713 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | off | cross-off | off | off | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross | off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:20PM1.79m | 4:32AM1.68m | 4:55PM1.81m | 5:06AM1.63m | 5:28PM1.77m | 5:38AM1.56m | 5:59PM1.67m | 6:09AM1.45m | 6:29PM1.54m | 6:39AM1.33m | 6:59PM1.39m | 7:09AM1.19m | 7:31PM1.24m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:32PM0.03m | 10:40AM-0.04m | 11:06PM0.05m | 11:11AM-0.00m | 11:39PM0.11m | 11:41AM0.08m | 00:10AM0.20m | 12:11PM0.20m | 00:40AM0.32m | 12:39PM0.33m | 1:12AM0.45m | 1:09PM0.48m | 1:49AM0.58m | |||||||
 |  | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | |  | |
 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — |
 | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 20 | 25 | 27 | 25 | 17 | 18 | 23 | 29 | 26 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 20 | 16 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 23 | 23 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 14 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | E 9 |
| kJ | 1929 | 687 | 356 | 266 | 746 | 465 | 532 | 465 | 501 | 632 | 285 | 1547 | 1756 | 1401 | 1200 | 1242 | 1545 | 2031 | 1789 | 14 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | E 8 | E 8 | WSW 7 | E 5 | E 7 | E 8 | E 9 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 |
| kJ | 7 | 1225 | 930 | 831 | 228 | 160 | 61 | 29 | 61 | 116 | 180 | 182 | 177 | 100 | 94 | 68 | 67 | 41 | 26 | 25 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 9 | — | — | — | WSW 8 | S 12 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | SW 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 2 | — | — | — | 75 | 3 | 64 | 73 | 39 | 248 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | — | — | — | W 4 | — | E 8 | — | WNW 7 | WSW 5 | WSW 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 4 | SW 5 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 699 | — | — | — | 21 | — | 132 | — | 43 | 33 | 32 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | 55 | 1713 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 180 | 2 | 2 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 180 | 2 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape (South) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Albatross Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Albatross provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Albatross can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Albatross 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 (Albatross) 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 Albatross 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.
Albatross is 18 km (11 miles) from the city of Kruisfontein. If you plan a holiday in Eastern Cape (South), look for hotels and other accommodation in Kruisfontein. Kruisfontein has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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