
Surf Forecasts:
Alkantstrand surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 15 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 9s period, ENE swell with onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 18 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 11s period, S swell with 1,921 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 15 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 9s period with ENE 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 Tuesday (Sep 15) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 2.1m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 13s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be onshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Alkantstrand in the next 16 days are 2.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Alkantstrand over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, folks, Rusty here. Let's get into it.
Honestly, looking at the next 16 days for Alkantstrand, it's a real mixed bag. We’ve got a long wait for anything worth paddling out for, so be patient.
The water temp is sitting around 69.8°, which is pretty much what you’d expect for this time of year – nothing wild there.
The first proper chance doesn't come until Thursday the 17th of September, and even then it's a marginal call. We get a fresh offshore wind from the SSW, cleaning up a 5.2ft easterly swell. The combined energy is moderate (617), so there's some push, but it's a "marginal" call, so keep your expectations in check.
Friday the 18th looks promising on paper, but it’s for experts only. The swell jumps to 8.2ft from the SSW with an 11-second period, giving the water some serious energy (1773). The wind is light and offshore from the SSW, meaning it should be clean *and* big. This is a standout for the big wave crew, but if you're not experienced, give it a wide berth.
Saturday the 19th and the 20th both have offshore winds and solid swell, but again, the size is the story. Saturday has a 9.8ft S swell (1351 combined energy) with a light cross-offshore breeze, and Sunday the 20th morning offers a 6.2ft SSE swell with a moderate offshore breeze (582). That Sunday morning is probably the best bet for the average surfer – it's still solid but not terrifying, and it'll be clean.
After that, the window closes fast. Monday the 21st has a clean 5.9ft ESE swell in the morning (773), but by the afternoon it’s too big again at 7.2ft. Tuesday the 22nd is the same story: clean, big, and for experts only (7.5ft ESE, 1297 energy). After that, we slip back into a few days of poor, choppy conditions from Wednesday the 23rd through to the end of the month.
So, the only true standout here for the general surfer is Sunday the 20th of September – a clean, solid SSW swell with moderate offshore wind. For the big-wave chargers, Friday the 18th is the call. Don't expect much else.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sun afternoon, min 19°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat morning, strong winds from the NE by Mon afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Thu morning. Warm (max 26°C on Tue afternoon, min 18°C on Thu night). Mainly strong winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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 | E 9 | E 9 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | S 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
115 | 120 | 199 | 127 | 326 | 341 | 334 | 844 | 645 | 1039 | 979 | 701 | 650 | 432 | 563 | 510 | 449 | 1314 | 1659 | 963 | 799 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | off | cross-off | off | off | cross | cross |
High Tide | 4:30PM2.11m | 4:40AM1.99m | 4:57PM2.07m | 5:07AM1.93m | 5:23PM1.97m | 5:32AM1.83m | 5:47PM1.83m | 5:57AM1.70m | 6:11PM1.67m | 6:22AM1.54m | 6:35PM1.49m | 6:47AM1.37m | 7:01PM1.32m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:16AM-0.08m | 10:36PM-0.01m | 10:44AM-0.06m | 11:03PM0.03m | 11:11AM0.02m | 11:29PM0.12m | 11:37AM0.13m | 11:54PM0.24m | 12:03PM0.28m | 00:19AM0.38m | 12:28PM0.45m | 00:45AM0.55m | 12:54PM0.63m | 1:18AM0.73m | |||||||
5:54 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | |
— | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 30 |
Temp °C | 23 | 25 | 21 | 25 | 26 | 21 | 25 | 25 | 22 | 24 | 26 | 21 | 24 | 25 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 |
Feels °C | 23 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 19 | 13 | 15 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SSW 18 | E 7 | SE 9 | S 14 | ENE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 |
115 | 120 | 199 | 102 | 326 | 150 | 129 | 107 | 645 | 739 | 771 | 701 | 650 | 432 | 563 | 510 | 449 | 190 | 106 | 106 | 102 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 6 | SSW 12 | S 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSW 16 | S 15 | S 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 10 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 7 | S 16 |
12 | 49 | 71 | 70 | 51 | 341 | 157 | 7 | 65 | 54 | 29 | 25 | 21 | 8 | 50 | 20 | 94 | 14 | 8 | 2 | 19 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 6 | SSW 11 | SSW 20 | S 10 | SSE 8 | S 10 | S 9 | — | — | — | S 19 | S 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | — | — | — | NE 7 | NE 7 |
33 | 6 | 25 | 127 | 35 | 24 | 7 | 7 | — | — | — | 7 | 21 | 20 | 26 | 21 | — | — | — | 12 | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ENE 4 | NE 5 | NE 5 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | NNE 6 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | — | — | ENE 5 | NNE 4 | NNE 5 | SSW 4 | SSW 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | S 10 |
— | 11 | 35 | 36 | 194 | 72 | 334 | 844 | 198 | 1039 | 979 | — | — | 64 | 28 | 66 | 45 | 1314 | 1659 | 963 | 799 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 157 | 1008 | 51 | 157 | 157 | 1014 | 838 | 625 | 154 | 99 | 153 | 0 | 157 | 157 | 0 | 559 | 1057 | 123 | 1 | 155 | 1 |
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.










