Surf Forecasts:
Albatross surf forecast from 16 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 16 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SW swell with 3,009 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 16 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 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 Wednesday (Sep 16) at 2PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m 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 3.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 8s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 19) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 2PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Albatross over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, Rusty here. Let's break down Albatross for the next couple of weeks. The water's sitting at a very unusual 59°, a massive 7° colder than normal for this time of year. You'll want the thickest wetsuit you own.
The outlook gets going on Wednesday the 16th of September, but it's not the best start. There's a big 10ft SW swell pushing in, with strong energy (4910). A moderate offshore wind from the SSW keeps it clean, but the forecast is calling it 'marginal'. That size is well over 8ft, so this is just for the experts. Beginners, stay on the beach. It stays big and clean through the afternoon.
Thursday the 17th drops to a 8ft SW swell, but the wind comes cross-shore from the ESE at 15 mph, putting a chop on it. The energy is still solid (2092), but the quality is poor. Friday the 18th and Saturday the 19th are a write-off with onshore winds and lumpy, choppy water. Sunday the 20th shows a bump back to 8ft SW swell, but a light cross-onshore wind keeps it marginal.
There's a quiet stretch from Monday the 21st through Wednesday the 23rd with smaller swells (5ft to 6ft) and mixed winds, but nothing to get excited about. The energy drops off during this run.
Here's the real standout: Thursday the 24th of September. The morning has a 8ft SW swell, a light offshore wind from the W, solid energy (1887), and 'very good surf conditions.' That's the one to target. The afternoon gets even bigger for the experts, with the swell jumping to a 10ft SSW groundswell, a 14-second period, and a fresh 19 mph offshore (3456 energy). Huge, clean, and powerful.
The next morning, Friday the 25th of September, is also a top call. We've got an 8ft SSW swell with a 13-second period, light wind, and clean conditions (2447 energy). That's excellent for the experienced crew. The offshore wind sticks around through the afternoon.
After that, the surf fades through the weekend and into early October. There's a brief moment on Monday the 28th with a fresh offshore wind again, but the swell is down to a smaller 5ft. By Wednesday the 30th of September, it's small and clean, but the energy is weak (136). From the 1st of October onward, it's flat and onshore.
So, bottom line: Thursday the 24th and Friday the 25th are your best shots for big, clean surf, but you'll need to know what you're doing.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Wed morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 40mm), heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun afternoon, min 16°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | Tuesday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 3725 | 2940 | 1474 | 1791 | 1404 | 939 | 997 | 866 | 940 | 706 | 614 | 740 | 2050 | 1561 | 1018 | 667 | 522 | 361 | 326 | 453 | 273 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 6:12PM1.39m | 6:25AM1.24m | 6:38PM1.24m | 6:55AM1.09m | 7:11PM1.09m | 7:50AM0.95m | 8:56PM0.95m | 12:15PM0.96m | 00:28AM1.02m | 1:12PM1.11m | 1:16AM1.16m | 1:43PM1.27m | 1:48AM1.30m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:59AM0.34m | 00:22AM0.40m | 12:25PM0.48m | 00:53AM0.54m | 12:56PM0.63m | 1:41AM0.68m | 2:00PM0.77m | 4:51AM0.75m | 6:22PM0.77m | 6:53AM0.63m | 7:18PM0.62m | 7:28AM0.48m | 7:49PM0.47m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | |  | | |  | | |  |  | | | | | |  |  |  | |
 | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — |
 | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — |
mm | 4 | 5 | 5 | — | — | 3 | — | 1 | — | 2 | 3 | 12 | 7 | 2 | 11 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 21 | 22 | 20 |
Feels °C | 8 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 16 | 17 | 20 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | E 8 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | E 8 | SW 12 | E 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 |
| kJ | 3725 | 2940 | 1474 | 1791 | 1404 | 939 | 997 | 866 | 940 | 706 | 614 | 524 | 2050 | 1561 | 1018 | 316 | 522 | 286 | 326 | 293 | 169 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | — | SSW 14 | — | — | SW 16 | SSW 15 | E 8 | ESE 8 | — | SW 12 | SSW 16 | SW 12 | SW 12 | S 15 | SW 11 |
| kJ | 208 | 165 | 131 | 108 | 108 | 75 | — | 342 | — | — | 38 | 740 | 422 | 398 | — | 667 | 50 | 361 | 298 | 4 | 273 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SSW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 14 | WSW 11 |
| kJ | — | — | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 343 | — | — | — | — | — | 186 | 121 | 16 | 24 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 10 | — | SSE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | — | — | — | E 8 | E 8 | ESE 8 | — | — | SW 11 | SW 6 |
| kJ | 1185 | — | 204 | 301 | 246 | 404 | 419 | 569 | 549 | 765 | 720 | — | — | — | 393 | 454 | 341 | — | — | 453 | 238 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 140 | 198 | 180 | 198 | 425 | 198 | 596 | 600 | 198 | 180 | 30 | 0 | 30 | 140 | 186 | 180 | 180 | 1 | 23 | 180 | 30 |
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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