Surf Forecasts:
Albatross surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 13s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 17s period, SW swell with 1,929 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 15 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 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 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m 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 1.8m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 5PM. 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 Wednesday (Aug 12) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 2PM (Mon 17th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Albatross over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks. Let’s talk about Albatross. It’s a beach and reef break, and it’s a consistent spot when the swell is from the right direction. It’s a sheltered little nook, so it needs a proper SSW push to get it going.
The water is a bone-chilling 57°, which is 9° colder than it should be for this time of year. That’s a serious cold snap, so you’ll be needing a thick wetsuit.
We’ve got a rough start to the period. Tuesday the 11th and Wednesday the 12th are a total washout. The wind is screaming cross-onshore at 18 to 25 mph, turning the waves into a lumpy mess. The energy is there, reading 1846 and 1287, but it’s no good. Thursday the 13th is marginal at best with a cross-onshore breeze.
The first real sign of life comes on the weekend. Saturday morning the 15th is a gem. The wind drops to a light SSW offshore at 3 mph, going glassy. The swell is a clean 4ft from the SW with a 14-second period, and the combined energy is a moderate 550. This is the kind of clean, glassy morning that gets the heart pumping. This is the best of the first week.
Sunday the 16th is also good, with a moderate WSW offshore wind at 12-15 mph holding up a clean 4ft wave (438 energy). It’s not as pristine as Saturday, but it’s still a solid session.
We hit a lull on Monday the 17th and Tuesday the 18th, with marginal conditions.
Now, get ready for a big one. Wednesday the 19th is a proper pulse. The morning is looking enormous with an 12ft SSW swell and an 11-second period. The combined energy is a massive 2672, and the wind is glassy. At 12ft, this is for experts only. It’s going to be a heavy, powerful day at the reef.
The following week is a mix. The real standout of the second week is Wednesday the 26th. The afternoon session is looking excellent for experienced surfers: an 8ft SSW swell, a 12-second period, and a gentle offshore wind from the SW making it clean. The energy is a very strong 2035. That is a solid, powerful groundswell with a clean face.
Given the size and the reef, this spot will handle that swell much better than a beach break, though the long period might make it a bit shifty.
To sum it up, the best bets are Saturday morning the 15th for a clean, fun-sized wave, and Wednesday the 19th and 26th for the bigger, more powerful stuff for the experienced rippers. The first few days are a waste, but it doesn’t stay poor for long.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the E on Wed afternoon, light winds from the NNE by Thu night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Fri afternoon, min 14°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 12 | ESE 8 | SSW 21 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 20 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1022 | 691 | 712 | 922 | 1294 | 1100 | 1929 | 1225 | 930 | 842 | 746 | 532 | 532 | 509 | 423 | 465 | 538 | 1200 | 1435 | 1077 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-off | off | cross | cross-on | off | off | cross-off | on | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:04PM1.59m | 3:18AM1.63m | 3:44PM1.72m | 3:57AM1.68m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:13PM0.15m | 9:31AM0.03m | 9:54PM0.07m | 10:06AM-0.03m | 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 | |||||||
 |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — |
 | 5:46 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 15 | 18 | 23 | 18 | 24 | 27 | 24 | 18 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 15 | 18 | 22 | 17 |
Feels °C | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 15 | 19 | 13 | 21 | 24 | 21 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 13 | 17 | 22 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SE 8 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 16 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | SW 14 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 1022 | 500 | 203 | 922 | 1294 | 1001 | 1929 | 1225 | 411 | 356 | 381 | 257 | 532 | 509 | 423 | 465 | 538 | 1200 | 1435 | 1077 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 24 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 20 | S 9 | S 9 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | E 9 | E 10 | E 11 | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 |
| kJ | — | 144 | 372 | 237 | 103 | 1100 | 7 | 2 | 930 | 842 | 746 | 532 | 175 | 146 | 220 | 242 | 282 | 229 | 224 | 168 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 10 | SSW 21 | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 | — | S 11 | — | — | — | WSW 4 | SW 7 | E 4 | S 10 | WSW 6 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 8 | 712 | 43 | 31 | 16 | — | 2 | — | — | — | 18 | 38 | 20 | 2 | 4 | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | ESE 8 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 8 | — | W 4 | WSW 5 | — | E 4 | WSW 6 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 824 | 691 | 315 | 898 | 1083 | 697 | 805 | 951 | 623 | — | 23 | 22 | — | 26 | 13 | 22 | 23 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 562 | 198 | 198 | 198 | 140 | 180 | 198 | 30 | 10 | 30 | 1 | 0 | 180 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 140 | 140 | 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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