East Pier (Port Alfred) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here with a long look at what East Pier (Port Alfred) has in store. We’ve got a bit of a wild ride ahead, with some absolute gems but also some serious size that’ll keep the crowds thin and the experts grinning.

Let’s start with the water temp – it’s sitting at 62°, which is 5° colder than normal for this time of year. That’s a notable chill, so you’ll want a good wetsuit.

The coming window kicks off with a bit of a wait. Sunday the 23rd is a write-off for paddling; we’ve got a 10ft SW swell with 11-second period and a cross-off wind, but it’s just too big for this break. The energy is strong (3200), but it’s not the one. Monday the 24th is where things start looking interesting. The morning shows a clean 5ft SSW swell with a 12-second period and a light cross-off breeze. Wave energy is moderate (722), and conditions are set to be clean. It’s a good, manageable size for intermediates.

Tuesday the 25th morning is a real standout. We’ve got a 5ft SSW swell, but look at that period – 16 seconds, a proper long-period groundswell. That means plenty of energy (2369) and well-shaped, powerful lines. The wind is light cross-off, so it’ll be clean. This is the best of the first week, no doubt. Just be aware, that long period can make the waves a bit straight on a beach break, but East Pier handles it. It’s an exposed spot, and with that SSW swell direction matching the optimum, it’s all coming together. The crowds can be *sometimes* here, but for a Tuesday, you might have it quiet.

Then the wind turns ugly. From Wednesday the 26th through to Friday the 28th, it’s all onshore or cross-onshore winds with messy conditions. The swell sticks around, but the quality is shot. Saturday the 29th morning offers a tiny 4ft S swell with clean conditions, but it’s marginal at best.

Sunday the 30th afternoon throws a curveball – another 10ft SW swell, this time with a shorter 9-second period and clean cross-off wind. The energy is high (1635), but again, it’s too big for the break.

Into the second week, and Monday the 31st is another day of oversized 10ft SW swell with moderate cross-off wind. It’s clean, but it’s a no-go for all but the most experienced, and even then, it’s a handful. Tuesday the 1st of September is more manageable at 6ft to 7ft, but the wind is a bit messy.

Wednesday the 2nd of September morning is a solid call. A clean 6ft SSW swell with a 12-second period and an offshore WNW wind. That’s clean, lined-up waves with good energy (939). This is the pick of the second week, but remember, it’s a way off, so don’t book the trip just yet.

After that, the forecast gets wild. From Thursday the 3rd, it’s either too small or, from Friday the 4th onwards, absolutely massive. We’re talking 15ft to 21ft SW swells with 15-17 second periods. The energy readings are astronomical (up to 28876), but the waves are just way too big for East Pier. This is pure big-wave territory, and with the cross-off wind keeping them clean, it’s more of a spectacle than a session for most. If you’re an expert with a big-wave gun and a tow rig, that’s a different story, but for the average surfer, it’s a watch-from-the-cliff situation.

So, the standout is Tuesday the 25th morning. The pick of the second week is Wednesday the 2nd of September morning. Get after it.

Rusty.

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