Surf Forecasts:
Albatross surf forecast from 11 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 16 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 17 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 13s period, SSW swell with 4,940 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 12s period with SSW 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 (Jul 12) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 1.4m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Albatross in the next 16 days are 4.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 17) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.3m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sun 12th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 2PM (Thu 16th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Albatross over the next 16 days.
Alright, this is Rusty. Let's get into it.
Okay, we’ve got a solid run of surf on the cards here at Albatross. The water’s sitting at 64°, which is a bit colder than usual for this time of year, so you might want an extra mil or two of rubber.
The first real standout is Thursday afternoon, the 16th of July. The swell is a solid 10ft from the southwest, with a long 14-second period, and we’ve got light offshore wind. That’s going to be clean and powerful, with a massive 2952 of combined energy. This is a setup for experienced surfers only, as it’s too big for beginners.
Then we get a proper pulse of energy. Friday the 17th is looking huge. The morning is a bit dicey with some light rain and 15 mph offshore wind, but the swell is a heavy 15ft from the southwest (5932 energy). The afternoon cleans up nicely with 13ft SW swell and a gentle offshore breeze (4878 energy). Again, this is expert territory, but it’s going to be a proper session for those who can handle it.
The absolute highlight of the whole outlook, though, is a long way off. Mark your calendars for Friday the 24th of July. The morning session is looking exceptional: a 16ft southwest swell with a ridiculously long 17-second period, pushing a colossal 13972 of combined energy. It’s a cross-offshore wind, keeping it clean. This is a once-in-a-blue-moon type of swell for the experienced crew. The afternoon on the 24th is still pumping with a 15ft, 16-second swell.
There’s a bit of a lull in the middle of the window, but the run from the 16th through to the 24th has some serious potential. Just keep in mind, with that long period, the swell can break a bit straight at the beach, but the reef sections here will handle it beautifully.
Keep an eye on the crowds, as this spot can get busy when it’s good. For now, the 16th and the 24th are the ones to circle.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 20°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Warm (max 22°C on Thu afternoon, min 14°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Sat 18 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | SSW 10 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1569 | 805 | 560 | 423 | 296 | 222 | 367 | 544 | 60 | 61 | 53 | 51 | 1179 | 3278 | 2448 | 2601 | 4447 | 4320 | 3985 | 2166 | 1584 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | cross | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-on | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 1:39AM1.48m | 2:19PM1.39m | 2:36AM1.57m | 3:09PM1.52m | 3:25AM1.64m | 3:55PM1.63m | 4:10AM1.67m | 4:39PM1.70m | 4:52AM1.65m | 5:20PM1.72m | 5:32AM1.59m | 6:00PM1.69m | 6:10AM1.50m | 6:39PM1.62m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:07AM0.24m | 8:21PM0.28m | 8:58AM0.14m | 9:15PM0.18m | 9:43AM0.05m | 10:03PM0.12m | 10:25AM0.01m | 10:48PM0.10m | 11:04AM0.00m | 11:31PM0.12m | 11:41AM0.04m | 00:12AM0.19m | 12:17PM0.12m | ||||||||
 |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | |  |  |  | |  | | | |
 | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — |
 | 5:25 | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 |
mm | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 22 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 |
Feels °C | 13 | 15 | 15 | 10 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 21 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 10 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | E 8 | E 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 12 |
| kJ | 1569 | 805 | 560 | 423 | 428 | 393 | 367 | 544 | 380 | 332 | 246 | 205 | 1179 | 3278 | 2448 | 123 | 71 | 4320 | 3985 | 2166 | 1584 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 12 | SE 7 | W 12 | W 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SW 10 | SSW 10 | SW 9 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 8 | E 10 | E 10 | — | — | E 10 | S 16 | SW 11 | SW 11 |
| kJ | 11 | 230 | 11 | 10 | 296 | 222 | 130 | 98 | 60 | 41 | 53 | 51 | 161 | 153 | 156 | — | — | 71 | 386 | 866 | 534 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | WSW 12 | SW 16 | SW 15 | W 11 | SSW 14 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SW 13 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | SW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | E 10 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
| kJ | 12 | 14 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 21 | 45 | 41 | 26 | 61 | 33 | 18 | 314 | — | — | — | — | — | 48 | 208 | 429 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 7 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | WSW 4 | SW 5 | SW 6 | — | — | — | SW 13 | SW 12 | — | — | E 10 | E 5 |
| kJ | 89 | 372 | 222 | 358 | 624 | — | — | — | — | 5 | 24 | 75 | — | — | — | 2601 | 4447 | — | — | 122 | 115 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 23 | 0 | 183 | 30 | 0 | 140 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 198 | 198 | 198 |
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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