Doughnuts Backreef surfForecast / Eastern Cape (S) / South Africa

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 7 am Thursday 21 May 2026 SAST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Doughnuts Backreef surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Doughnuts Backreef sea temperature is
17.7° C
(Which is 3.4°C colder than average for this time of year)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Doughnuts Backreef this week:

The surf forecast for Doughnuts Backreef over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (May 21) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 13s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Doughnuts Backreef in the next 16 days are 2.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (May 28) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 8s period and expected on Thursday (May 21) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5PM (Thu 21st May)2.5ft (0.8m) 13s
Best Surf 8AM (Mon 25th May)5ft (1.6m) 15s
Most Powerful11AM (Thu 28th May)8ft (2.5m) 16s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Doughnuts Backreef over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 24°C on Thu afternoon, min 15°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Fri night, calm by Sat night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Mon afternoon, min 15°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
21
Friday
22
Saturday
23
Sunday
24
Monday
25
Tuesday
26
Wednesday
27
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
2
1
0
0
0
1
1
3
3
3
3
4
3
2
2
1
4
3
2
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
SSW
13
0.8
SSW
13
0.7
SW
12
0.7
SW
12
2.1
WSW
6
0.8
SSW
16
1.1
SW
14
1.2
SW
14
1.3
SW
13
1.3
SW
14
1.3
SW
13
1.1
SW
13
1.8
SW
14
2.2
SW
14
2.3
SW
13
2.1
SW
13
2
SW
13
1.7
SW
12
2
SW
13
2
SW
13
1.8
SW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
158
219
141
132
351
322
529
518
563
706
562
380
1325
1902
1862
1498
1305
850
1306
1286
1050
Wind (km/h)
20
NE
10
NNW
15
W
20
W
30
WSW
30
WSW
20
WSW
10
SW
10
NNE
15
NE
15
ENE
5
NE
10
NE
5
E
15
W
20
W
15
WSW
0
ENE
15
ENE
15
E
5
NNW
cross-off
off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross
off
High Tide
7:27PM1.36m
7:46AM1.22m
8:40PM1.29m
9:05AM1.12m
10:03PM1.27m
10:33AM1.09m
11:18PM1.30m
11:49AM1.13m
00:17AM1.35m
12:46PM1.19m
1:03AM1.40m
1:31PM1.26m
1:42AM1.45m
Low Tide
12:56PM0.32m
1:35AM0.47m
1:56PM0.42m
2:57AM0.57m
3:11PM0.50m
4:35AM0.58m
4:37PM0.53m
5:57AM0.53m
5:51PM0.50m
6:52AM0.45m
6:47PM0.46m
7:33AM0.37m
7:31PM0.41m
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:07
7:07
7:07
7:09
7:09
7:09
7:11
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:21
5:21
5:20
5:19
5:19
5:19
5:17
7
Temp °C
20
24
23
18
19
18
17
18
17
18
20
18
19
21
19
18
18
18
19
19
19
18
22
22
15
16
14
14
16
18
16
18
18
17
20
19
16
16
20
18
17
19
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
SSW
13
1.6
E
8
1.2
E
7
1
E
7
0.8
E
8
0.8
SSW
16
1.1
SW
14
1.2
SW
14
1.3
SW
13
1.3
SW
14
1.3
SW
13
1.1
SW
13
1.8
SW
14
2.2
SW
14
2.3
SW
13
2.1
SW
13
2
SW
13
1.7
SW
12
2
SW
13
2
SW
13
1.8
SW
13
Energy kJ
158
291
152
107
72
322
529
518
563
706
562
380
1325
1902
1862
1498
1305
850
1306
1286
1050
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SW
11
0.8
SSW
13
0.7
SW
12
0.7
SW
12
0.5
S
10
0.8
SW
11
0.6
E
11
0.8
S
6
0.6
S
6
0.5
SSE
11
0.5
SSE
11
0.7
SSE
11
0.6
E
5
0.6
E
5
0.8
E
6
0.7
E
7
0.5
E
6
0.6
SW
16
0.4
ENE
7
0.4
E
6
1.3
SSW
17
Energy kJ
31
219
141
132
51
145
87
50
26
74
68
101
21
21
47
42
20
201
17
13
975
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
SSE
10
0.3
ESE
12
0.5
S
12
0.5
S
10
0.5
E
12
0.5
E
12
0.3
SSE
9
0.8
WSW
7
0.5
E
11
0.5
S
6
0.4
E
10
0.6
SSW
16
0.6
SSE
10
0.4
SSE
10
0.4
SE
10
0.4
SE
9
0.3
SE
9
0.3
ENE
6
0.1
SE
8
0.3
SE
12
0.3
E
6
Energy kJ
10
27
67
52
75
70
16
51
57
21
32
171
64
37
23
21
12
8
3
21
6
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.1
E
8
0.6
W
3
1.1
WSW
5
2.1
WSW
6
1.7
WSW
7
1.4
SW
6
0.4
ENE
3
0.5
E
4
0.8
E
5
0.8
ENE
5
0.8
ENE
5
0.7
WSW
4
Energy kJ
540
7
57
351
281
139
4
6
31
37
39
14
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
1
1
2
2
2
1
3
3
3
3
4
4
2
2
1
4
4
4
4
Distance (km)
8
0
16
16
195
51
16
16
0
0
0
0
0
8
16
16
16
0
24
24
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape (South)
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
2
1
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
3
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
5
7
6
5
7
8
6
5
5
5
4
4
5
4
5
4
4
5
5
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Doughnuts Backreef Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Doughnuts Backreef provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Doughnuts Backreef can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Doughnuts Backreef 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 (Doughnuts Backreef) 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 Doughnuts Backreef 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.

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