Surf Forecasts:
Alkantstrand surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 14s period, S swell with 2,107 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period with SSW 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 Thursday (Aug 20) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 6s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Alkantstrand in the next 16 days are 2.3m 14s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.2m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Alkantstrand over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here, looking at the surf ahead for Alkantstrand. The forecast is a mixed bag over the next couple of weeks. There’s some solid swell coming through, but the wind is going to be the main player, often making it messy. The water temp is sitting right on average for this time of year at 71°F, so nothing out of the ordinary there.
The first real action kicks off on Thursday, 20 August. We’ve got a serious SSW swell pushing in at 10ft, with a period of 8 seconds. That’s a big, short-period swell, and it’s bringing a lot of energy with it – the combined energy is a hefty 1036. The wind is blowing strong offshore from the SSW at 25 mph, which will clean things up, but this size is strictly for the experts. It’s going to be a battle to get out and a proper handful once you’re in. The swell direction is SSW, which is a solid match for what the spot likes.
Later that same Thursday afternoon, the swell drops to 7ft from the south, with the wind turning cross-offshore. The energy is still moderate at 711. It’s a bit cleaner, but still a big wave for the average punter. It’s a bit of a standout for the week, but only if you’ve got the skills.
The next real standout falls on Saturday, 29 August. The forecast shows a 8ft south swell with a short 8-second period, and the combined energy is moderate at 622. The wind is light and cross-offshore from the south at just 6 mph, making for clean conditions. However, this is still a big swell, over 8ft, so it’s expert territory again. The swell direction is a good match for the optimum.
There are a few other days with decent swell, like the 23rd and 24th, but the wind is either onshore or cross-onshore, making the surf look poor. The 25th of August shows a nice 4ft south swell in the afternoon with a long 15-second period and clean cross-offshore winds, but the energy is moderate at 626, and it’s not a huge standout above the others.
Looking further ahead, the first week of September has some clean, smaller options. The morning of Thursday, 3 September, looks promising with a 4ft swell from the ENE and glassy conditions, with light winds. It’s not a big swell, but it’ll be fun and clean for the beginners and intermediates. The energy is light at 425.
Overall, the best on offer is that Thursday morning, 20 August, for the big-wave crew, and the Saturday, 29 August, for another dose of heavy, clean surf. The rest of the period is seriously wind-affected or just too big.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Wed afternoon, min 18°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Wed night, calm by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 36°C on Sat afternoon, min 17°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Sat afternoon, light winds from the WNW by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 14 | S 13 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 14 | SSW 7 | SSW 10 | S 10 | S 11 | S 14 | S 14 | S 18 | S 16 | S 15 | S 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
113 | 165 | 141 | 995 | 546 | 251 | 1158 | 591 | 248 | 146 | 195 | 398 | 1130 | 918 | 721 | 2107 | 1190 | 1375 | 401 | 619 | 498 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | off | cross-off | glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | glassy |
High Tide | 7:25PM1.48m | 7:34AM1.33m | 8:00PM1.30m | 8:19AM1.16m | 9:22PM1.14m | 11:55AM1.07m | 00:58AM1.18m | 1:46PM1.22m | 1:57AM1.34m | 2:24PM1.40m | 2:31AM1.51m | 2:52PM1.57m | 2:59AM1.66m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:12PM0.47m | 1:35AM0.60m | 1:44PM0.65m | 2:19AM0.76m | 2:39PM0.82m | 4:37AM0.88m | 6:12PM0.88m | 7:29AM0.77m | 7:46PM0.73m | 8:12AM0.59m | 8:24PM0.57m | 8:41AM0.42m | 8:53PM0.41m | ||||||||
6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | |
— | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 25 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 19 | 31 | 36 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 24 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 20 |
Feels °C | 21 | 21 | 18 | 14 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 28 | 34 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 22 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | NE 6 | E 8 | SSW 13 | S 8 | S 14 | S 13 | SSW 12 | S 12 | NE 6 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | S 11 | S 14 | S 14 | S 18 | S 12 | S 15 | S 13 |
113 | 86 | 62 | 34 | 141 | 247 | 1158 | 591 | 248 | 146 | 88 | 21 | 12 | 12 | 721 | 2107 | 1190 | 1375 | 220 | 619 | 498 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 6 | SSW 14 | E 8 | NE 6 | E 8 | S 16 | E 8 | — | E 5 | ENE 6 | S 14 | NE 6 | — | ENE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | S 17 | E 9 | S 16 | E 8 | ENE 9 |
23 | 165 | 58 | 7 | 22 | 251 | 30 | — | 21 | 26 | 195 | 6 | — | 13 | 13 | 14 | 135 | 6 | 401 | 6 | 7 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSW 5 | SSW 13 | — | NE 6 | E 8 | — | — | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | — | — | NE 6 | — | E 9 | — | NE 5 | NE 4 | S 23 |
45 | 6 | 141 | — | 2 | 19 | — | — | 11 | 11 | 6 | 21 | — | — | 1 | — | 6 | — | 6 | 1 | 40 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NE 4 | NNE 6 | SSW 8 | S 8 | — | — | E 8 | N 3 | NNE 5 | — | SSW 7 | SSW 10 | S 10 | — | — | NE 4 | NE 5 | — | SSW 4 | — |
— | 35 | 200 | 995 | 546 | — | — | 61 | 5 | 36 | — | 398 | 1130 | 918 | — | — | 13 | 17 | — | 11 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 157 | 157 | 0 | 399 | 484 | 0 | 157 | 157 | 117 | 37 | 1008 | 156 | 484 | 155 | 0 | 157 | 157 | 0 | 392 | 0 | 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.











