Alkantstrand Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at what Alkantstrand has got cookin’ for us over the next couple of weeks.

To start with, the water temp is sitting at 72°, which is bang on average for this time of year – no surprises there, just your usual warm Indian Ocean bathtub. The first bit of decent action kicks off this Sunday morning, the 19th of July. We’ve got a solid 6ft swell rolling in from the SSE, with a period of 13 seconds giving it some proper groundswell grunt. That combined wave energy is pumping at 1100 – that’s moderate to strong energy, no messing about. The wind is light offshore from the SSW (10 km/h), so the surface should be clean and inviting. But look, 6ft with that power is a step up from small fry; this is for the experienced crew. Beginners might want to sit this one out.

Sunday afternoon sees the wind swing cross-on from the ESE, still light, but it’ll put a few little ripples on the face. The swell sticks around 6ft, but the quality drops a notch.

Now, Monday the 20th of July is where it gets tasty. Morning session is the standout of this whole run. We’ve got a 6ft swell from the SE with a 13-second period, and the combined energy is a beefy 1308. A moderate SSW offshore breeze (12 mph) is going to groom that swell into clean, organised lines. This is proper surfer’s surf – plenty of punch, good shape, and that offshore wind is a major plus. Again, this is in the expert zone at that size.

Monday afternoon holds up well too, with a light cross-offshore breeze and clean conditions, still offering 6ft from the SE.

We hit a bit of a lull from Tuesday the 21st through Thursday the 24th of July. The wind gets messy – cross-on and onshore – and the swell drops and gets shorter in period. There’s a brief moment Thursday morning (23rd July) with a fresh offshore from the SW and 3ft, but that’s pretty weak and marginal for a proper session. Then Thursday afternoon, the swell jumps back to 6ft but with a short, choppy 6-second period – that’s wind slop, not worth getting excited about.

Friday the 24th afternoon is worth a mention: a 5ft S swell with an 11-second period and light cross-offshore wind, the conditions look clean and the energy is moderate (625). A solid, sneaky good session for anyone who can get out.

Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th are a mixed bag. Saturday is let down by cross-on winds, even though the swell is a long-period 5ft S groundswell (15 seconds). That long period is best for points and reefs, and here at a beach break, it might stand up a bit too straight and dumpy. Sunday the 26th morning is glassy – a magic window with 4ft S swell (14 seconds) and no wind at all. That’s clean and beautiful, but the swell is a bit weaker (738 energy). For a long, smooth ride on a clean face, that’s a winner, but don’t expect heavy barrels.

The first week of August brings a big spike. On Saturday the 1st of August, the morning shows an 8ft swell from the SSE. The combined energy is a whopping 2242 – that’s serious power. That is straight-up big-wave territory, only for experts, and I’d be cautious even then. The wind is onshore from the NNE (9 mph), so it’ll be a messy, chunky beast. After that, the rest of the run into the second week (2nd and 3rd of August) looks pretty messy with strong onshore winds and lumpy seas, not much to recommend.

The standout: Without a doubt, Monday morning the 20th of July at Alkantstrand (KwaZulu-Natal). That 6ft SE swell with a 13-second period and a clean offshore wind is the best wave quality on offer. Big enough to be exciting, wind is perfect, and the energy is pumping. Get on it.

Second pick: Friday afternoon the 24th of July for a clean, lighter session with that 5ft S swell and light winds, and Sunday morning the 26th of July for a glassy, smaller but clean paddle.

This run has a few good windows but plenty of blank days in between, so don’t waste the good ones.

Catch you on the beach.
Rusty.

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