
Surf Forecasts:
Alkantstrand surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 23 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 7s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 13s period, SSE swell with 1,156 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 17 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 10s period with E swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Alkantstrand this week:
The surf forecast for Alkantstrand over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 17) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 12s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 3s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Alkantstrand in the next 16 days are 1.9m 13s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) 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 0.9m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Sun 19th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Alkantstrand over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break down the next sixteen days at Alkantstrand. We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but don’t write it off just yet. The first real fun surf doesn’t kick in until Sunday the 19th, so we’ve got a couple of quiet days to sit through.
Friday the 17th is pretty marginal. The morning sees a small 4ft easterly swell with a 10-second period, but the wind is a cross-on, so it’s messy. The afternoon cleans up nicely with glassy conditions, but the swell drops to 4ft, so it’s small and weak. Saturday the 18th is a write-off: the swell fades, and the wind is onshore and building. Don’t bother.
Sunday the 19th is where it starts to get interesting. The morning brings a 4ft SSE groundswell with a long 14-second period, and clean offshore SSW winds. The afternoon is even better – the swell bumps up to 6ft from the SSE, period 12 seconds, and the wind goes cross-off. This is clean, powerful, and built for experienced surfers. The combined wave energy is strong (1113), so there’s some serious push. This is one of the standouts.
Monday the 20th keeps the good vibes going. Morning has 6ft SSE swell, 12 seconds, and offshore winds again. The afternoon gets a bit cross-on, so it’s not as perfect, but still rideable. The water is a warm 72°, which is pretty much average for this time of year – nothing unusual there.
Tuesday the 21st through Thursday the 23rd is a rough patch. Winds turn strong onshore or cross-on, the swell gets short-period and messy. Not worth the paddle.
Friday the 24th is a bit of a tease with a 4ft long-period SSW swell (13 seconds) but cross-on winds in the morning, then onshore in the afternoon. Not great.
Saturday the 25th is the real standout. Morning delivers a 4ft SSW swell with an incredible 20-second period – that’s super long-period groundswell. The wind is offshore, and the combined energy is massive (1261). This is a day for the experienced crew, as the long period will make the waves fat and powerful, best handled on a point or reef. The afternoon has a 6ft S swell but gets hammered by strong winds.
Sunday the 26th and Monday the 27th are a mixed bag. The swell is still solid from the south, but winds are cross-off or cross-on, keeping things from being perfect. The wave energy remains moderate to strong.
Tuesday the 28th has a nice surprise. The afternoon turns glassy with a 6ft ENE swell, but it’s short period (8 seconds). That said, the clean conditions make it a fun option for a quick session.
From Wednesday the 29th onward, the outlook drops off. Winds get strong again, the swell turns short and weak, and the combined energy falls into the low hundreds. By Friday the 31st and into August 1st, it’s pretty much flat with howling onshore winds. No good surf.
So, your two best windows: Sunday the 19th afternoon and Saturday the 25th morning. The 19th is cleaner and more accessible for strong intermediates, while the 25th is a pure groundswell event for the experts. Crowds are possible at Alkantstrand, so keep an eye out.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Fri afternoon, min 16°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Wed afternoon, min 17°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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) | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 12 | E 10 | S 12 | SSE 14 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | NE 7 | SSW 14 | SSW 6 | S 7 | S 7 | SSW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
284 | 234 | 190 | 190 | 153 | 444 | 538 | 996 | 918 | 919 | 795 | 561 | 411 | 350 | 245 | 244 | 218 | 295 | 258 | 168 | 162 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | glassy | off | on | on | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 5:59PM1.95m | 6:08AM1.81m | 6:36PM1.87m | 6:43AM1.71m | 7:13PM1.75m | 7:19AM1.58m | 7:51PM1.61m | 7:58AM1.43m | 8:33PM1.46m | 8:47AM1.29m | 9:32PM1.32m | 10:08AM1.18m | 11:12PM1.25m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:40AM0.02m | 00:04AM0.19m | 12:16PM0.10m | 00:42AM0.29m | 12:52PM0.21m | 1:20AM0.41m | 1:29PM0.35m | 2:00AM0.54m | 2:09PM0.51m | 2:47AM0.66m | 2:59PM0.66m | 3:58AM0.76m | 4:23PM0.77m | ||||||||
6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | |
— | 5:12 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 23 | 19 | 20 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 26 | 21 | 27 | 31 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 20 |
Feels °C | 21 | 23 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 19 | 19 | 23 | 20 | 23 | 28 | 22 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | S 12 | S 11 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | ENE 7 | SE 12 | NE 8 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 6 |
284 | 234 | 190 | 190 | 153 | 444 | 357 | 996 | 918 | 919 | 795 | 561 | 411 | 350 | 245 | 99 | 164 | 59 | 99 | 97 | 60 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 9 | SSW 12 | SSW 10 | E 10 | SSE 14 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | S 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 16 | SE 11 | SSW 14 | SE 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 |
68 | 86 | 30 | 189 | 112 | 116 | 538 | 96 | 69 | 45 | 49 | 118 | 59 | 29 | 129 | 217 | 218 | 108 | 93 | 50 | 162 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 7 | S 10 | SSW 14 | S 15 | S 14 | SSW 11 | E 10 | S 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 9 | E 9 | S 13 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | S 15 | — | — | NE 7 | NE 7 | SSW 6 |
15 | 2 | 41 | 40 | 106 | 76 | 94 | 21 | 45 | 33 | 42 | 89 | 15 | 14 | 6 | 161 | — | — | 14 | 13 | 23 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NE 3 | — | — | NE 2 | — | — | — | — | — | NE 5 | ENE 9 | NNE 4 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 7 | SSW 6 | S 7 | S 7 | — |
— | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 55 | 11 | 41 | 69 | 244 | 147 | 295 | 258 | 168 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 157 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 157 | 117 | 51 | 157 | 37 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 392 | 373 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in KwaZulu-Natal North Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Alkantstrand Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Alkantstrand provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Alkantstrand can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Alkantstrand 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 (Alkantstrand) 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 Alkantstrand 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.
Are you planning a holiday in KwaZulu-Natal North Coast? If you are looking for accommodation near Alkantstrand, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in KwaZulu-Natal North Coast, consider staying in Richards Bay which is 1 km (1 miles) away. Other places in and around KwaZulu-Natal North Coast where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Richards Bay which is 1 km (1 miles) away, Empangeni, eSikhawini and Eshowe.










