Surf Forecasts:
Albatross surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 14s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, SSW swell with 4,168 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 13s 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.4m and 13s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Albatross in the next 16 days are 3.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Albatross over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming our way.
Alright, we’ve got a solid run of surf on the cards at Albatross, a sheltered beach and reef setup that likes a SSW swell. The water is a freezing 58°F, which is a whopping 8°F colder than usual for this time of year—that’s a very unusual chill, so grab the thickest steamer you’ve got.
The week kicks off strong. Sunday the 23rd sees a clean 8ft swell from the SW with a light cross-off breeze and very good surf conditions. The wave energy is strong, pushing 1526. Monday the 24th is a standout morning with glassy conditions and a clean 7ft SW swell, energy at 1099. That’s the pick of the early days.
Tuesday the 25th gets serious. Morning brings 8ft SW swell with light offshore wind and excellent conditions for experienced surfers, energy jumping to 3456. By afternoon, it’s 10ft SW with a 15-second period and clean offshore breeze—energy up to 4085. This is expert territory, but it’s going to be epic.
Wednesday the 26th turns ugly. Strong cross-onshore winds mess it up, with 8-10ft SSW swell but poor, choppy conditions. Skip that day.
Thursday the 27th bounces back nicely. Glassy morning with a 7ft SSW swell, energy 1375, and very good surf. Friday the 28th has a smaller, glassy 5ft S swell in the morning for a good session, but it drops off in the afternoon.
Saturday the 29th is a write-off with strong, lumpy cross-winds. Sunday the 30th sees a return of clean, moderate offshore wind with a 7ft WSW swell in the morning, energy 756—decent.
Now, the real standout of the whole run is Monday the 31st of August morning. Absolutely glassy, with a 10ft WSW swell (period 9 seconds) and energy at 2164. Excellent conditions for experienced surfers. That’s the one to circle.
After a few smaller days, we get another gem on Wednesday the 2nd of September morning: glassy, 10ft SW swell, energy 2770, excellent for the pros.
Thursday the 3rd is wild—near gale-force winds with 15ft WSW swell—not for paddling, this is kite-surfing territory if anything.
Friday the 4th cleans up nicely with a 8ft SW swell and clean conditions. Saturday the 5th is absolutely mammoth: 18ft SW swell in the morning, energy 13613, and by afternoon it’s 16ft with a 16-second period, moderate offshore, and energy 13334. This is exceptional for experts only—one for the truly brave.
Sunday the 6th and Monday the 7th keep the big stuff rolling with clean, offshore wind and 12-13ft SW swell.
Bottom line: the best on offer are Monday the 24th morning for the glassy perfection, and Monday the 31st of August morning for the big, clean power. Get out there.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun afternoon, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Thu morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the E on Wed night, calm by Thu morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | ||||||||||||||
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 11 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1242 | 1545 | 1094 | 913 | 2096 | 2305 | 3470 | 2766 | 3777 | 4108 | 1731 | 1289 | 1082 | 909 | 553 | 403 | 441 | 256 | 202 | 286 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:44AM1.20m | 2:15PM1.24m | 2:18AM1.33m | 2:43PM1.39m | 2:47AM1.44m | 3:10PM1.52m | 3:15AM1.54m | 3:36PM1.63m | 3:42AM1.60m | 4:02PM1.72m | 4:10AM1.64m | 4:29PM1.77m | 4:39AM1.64m | |||||||
Low Tide | 7:41PM0.62m | 8:04AM0.46m | 8:16PM0.49m | 8:32AM0.33m | 8:46PM0.36m | 8:58AM0.21m | 9:14PM0.25m | 9:23AM0.11m | 9:41PM0.15m | 9:49AM0.04m | 10:09PM0.09m | 10:15AM0.00m | 10:38PM0.05m | |||||||
 |  | | | |  | |  |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — |
 | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 5:59 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 32 | 36 | 31 |
Feels °C | 14 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 23 | 25 | 22 | 24 | 29 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | E 10 | E 10 |
| kJ | 1242 | 1545 | 1094 | 913 | 2096 | 2305 | 3470 | 2766 | 3777 | 4108 | 1731 | 1289 | 1082 | 909 | 553 | 403 | 441 | 256 | 237 | 204 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | E 10 | SE 11 | SSW 15 | ESE 11 | SSW 16 | WSW 13 | SSW 15 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 6 | E 8 | SSE 11 | WSW 13 |
| kJ | 284 | 2 | 5 | 411 | 11 | 1151 | 615 | 1432 | 640 | 69 | 45 | 587 | 487 | 476 | 334 | 251 | 71 | 130 | 158 | 286 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | — | E 9 | SE 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | — | — | — | — | SSW 16 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | S 15 | SSE 14 | E 9 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | S 10 |
| kJ | 2 | — | 2 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 86 | 94 | 77 | 155 | 273 | 104 | 203 | 202 | 54 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 5 | ESE 6 | E 7 | ENE 8 | — | — | — | — | N 3 | NNW 4 | NW 5 | WSW 5 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 56 | 194 | 707 | 1033 | — | — | — | — | 5 | 23 | 51 | 47 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 198 | 560 | 140 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 30 | 30 | 69 | 52 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape (South) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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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