Surf Forecasts:
Albatross surf forecast from 11 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 16 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SW swell with 3,331 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 12s 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 (Sep 12) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 1.0m and 6s is also forecast. 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 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 9s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sat 12th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 2PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Albatross over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here with the rundown on Albatross. The water is sitting at 59°, which is a solid 7° colder than average for this time of year—that’s a serious cold snap, so don’t skimp on the rubber.
First real call is Friday morning the 11th. We’ve got a 6ft swell from the SW with a 13-second period, and that light cross-off breeze is gonna keep the faces clean. There’s good energy in the water (1204), so you’ll feel the push. Albatross is a sheltered, consistent beginner spot, but the crowd can pop up sometimes, so get there early.
The wind gets ugly for a bit, but Saturday morning the 12th is a glassy little moment. Swell drops to a clean 4ft from the WSW, no wind at all. It’s small, but for a quiet, easy paddle, it’s a solid call.
Now, the one you don’t want to miss: Monday morning the 14th. It’s dead flat calm, glassy as a lake, and we’ve got an 8ft swell from the ESE. That’s serious power (1967) and with those perfect conditions, it’s gonna be firing. That size is for experts only, though—beginners, sit this one out.
Wednesday afternoon the 16th is another one for the experienced crew. 8ft of SW groundswell with a long 14-second period. Light cross-off breeze keeps it clean, and the energy is massive (2613). That’s a proper session.
Later on, Monday the 21st afternoon has a clean 6ft SSW swell with light offshores. Solid, mellow option. Wednesday the 23rd morning gives you another clean window with 6ft from the WSW, though the wind picks up a touch. And Friday morning the 25th brings a smaller 5ft SW swell with a clean offshore breeze—nice for a relaxed session.
There are some rough days in between, especially around the 20th and 24th when the wind is on it and the swell gets big and messy. The second week is hit or miss, so pick your moments.
Get after that Monday the 14th. You’ll thank me.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Sun morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri morning, min 16°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat morning, strong winds from the E by Sun night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 25mm), heaviest during Wed afternoon. Warm (max 22°C on Tue morning, min 15°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 15 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1204 | 1182 | 678 | 365 | 1542 | 2928 | 2037 | 1649 | 2091 | 1424 | 444 | 537 | 604 | 557 | 932 | 3143 | 2610 | 1565 | 1003 | 700 | 603 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on |
High Tide | 3:54PM1.83m | 4:07AM1.67m | 4:24PM1.83m | 4:37AM1.64m | 4:53PM1.77m | 5:06AM1.58m | 5:20PM1.67m | 5:33AM1.48m | 5:46PM1.53m | 5:59AM1.37m | 6:12PM1.39m | 6:25AM1.24m | 6:38PM1.24m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:41AM-0.02m | 10:07PM-0.00m | 10:10AM-0.03m | 10:36PM0.01m | 10:39AM0.02m | 11:04PM0.07m | 11:06AM0.10m | 11:30PM0.16m | 11:33AM0.21m | 11:56PM0.27m | 11:59AM0.34m | 00:22AM0.40m | 12:25PM0.48m | 00:53AM0.54m | |||||||
 |  |  | | |  |  |  |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — |
 | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:12 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | — | — | 1 | 4 | 8 | 3 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 22 | 21 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
Feels °C | 18 | 16 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 15 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 15 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | E 11 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 1204 | 1182 | 678 | 365 | 1542 | 2928 | 2037 | 1649 | 2091 | 1424 | 914 | 924 | 604 | 557 | 932 | 3143 | 2610 | 1565 | 1003 | 700 | 603 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | E 10 | ENE 10 | SE 7 | ENE 9 | — | — | — | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | E 11 | E 10 | SW 16 | E 10 | E 10 | S 7 | SSE 7 | E 10 | SE 7 |
| kJ | 57 | 49 | 31 | 75 | 29 | — | — | — | 804 | 543 | 444 | 537 | 507 | 367 | 644 | 204 | 200 | 97 | 249 | 98 | 69 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 15 | E 6 | SE 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | E 10 | S 10 | S 12 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 10 | SSW 15 |
| kJ | — | — | 4 | 67 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 57 | 160 | 242 | 2 | 3 | 128 | 98 | 163 | 302 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SE 6 | E 7 | SE 7 | SE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | — | — | WSW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 7 | — |
| kJ | — | — | 120 | 128 | 240 | 1086 | 2313 | 1566 | — | — | 24 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 193 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 180 | 30 | 0 | 140 | 198 | 198 | 198 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 66 | 0 | 140 | 183 | 198 | 180 |
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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