Surf Forecasts:
Eastern Beach surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 22 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 12s period, SSW swell with 5,864 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 10s period with E swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Eastern Beach this week:
The surf forecast for Eastern Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Eastern Beach in the next 16 days are 4.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 5PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 15ft (4.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Eastern Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty, and I’ve got the lowdown on Eastern Beach for the next couple of weeks.
Right now, there’s no surf worth chasing for a few days. Wednesday morning (19 August) sees waist-to-chest high swell at 4ft from the SSW, with a 13-second period – proper groundswell. Combined energy is 615 (moderate), and there’s a light cross-onshore breeze, so it’s a bit bumpy. Wednesday afternoon cleans up nice: light cross-off wind, 4ft SSW groundswell, and 605 energy. That’s your first proper window, but Eastern Beach is inconsistent, so don’t count on constant sets.
Thursday 20 August is the real standout. Morning brings a solid 10ft SW swell with a 12-second period, and the combined energy is 3215 (strong). The wind is cross-off at 20 km/h, and conditions are clean. That’s big, groundswell – over 8ft, so experts only. Beginners, stay on the sand. Thursday afternoon drops a bit to 8ft from the SSW, still excellent for experienced surfers, with energy at 2307.
Friday 21 August goes south – NE winds, cross-onshore, chop it up. Saturday is a mess with 35-45 km/h SW winds, poor conditions despite the clean look.
Sunday 23 August morning has another big one: 10ft from the S, 14-second period, 3108 energy, with clean cross-off wind. Expert territory again. Monday 24 August morning is a gem – 5ft from the S, 12-second period, glassy with barely any wind (just 5 km/h from the ESE). Combined energy is 533 (moderate). That’s a dream session for intermediates.
The second week gets spotty. Tuesday 25 August has some 4-5ft SSW swell with long 14-15 second periods, and light winds – worth a paddle. Wednesday 26 August onwards is mostly poor: strong cross-onshore winds, lumpy seas, and dropping energy. There’s a tiny window on Sunday 30 August morning with 5ft S swell and 8-second period, but with rain showers and moderate cross-onshore, it’s a pass.
Water temp is about average for this time of year.
Best calls: Thursday 20 August (morning) for the big stuff for experts, and Monday 24 August (morning) for clean, fun waves for intermediates. The rest is filler.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Wed morning, min 15°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, fresh winds from the WSW by Wed night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Fri afternoon, min 14°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Sat afternoon, light winds from the NNW by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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 10 | E 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 7 | SSW 10 | SSW 13 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
186 | 117 | 615 | 538 | 482 | 289 | 365 | 1942 | 1026 | 528 | 353 | 279 | 251 | 2937 | 5352 | 3606 | 1834 | 814 | 533 | 466 | 363 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:05PM1.75m | 7:10AM1.57m | 7:38PM1.60m | 7:47AM1.43m | 8:23PM1.45m | 9:02AM1.30m | 10:17PM1.34m | 12:22PM1.30m | 00:43AM1.39m | 1:40PM1.43m | 1:43AM1.50m | 2:17PM1.58m | 2:20AM1.63m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:42PM0.60m | 1:11AM0.76m | 1:14PM0.75m | 1:49AM0.88m | 1:53PM0.90m | 2:50AM1.00m | 3:07PM1.05m | 5:23AM1.04m | 6:17PM1.07m | 7:15AM0.93m | 7:39PM0.95m | 7:59AM0.79m | 8:18PM0.81m | ||||||||
6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
— | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 17 | 21 | 21 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 17 |
Feels °C | 16 | 15 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 12 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | SSW 13 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 11 |
186 | 117 | 615 | 538 | 482 | 289 | 365 | 1942 | 1026 | 528 | 353 | 239 | 94 | 26 | 2822 | 3606 | 1834 | 814 | 533 | 466 | 363 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | E 9 | E 9 | E 7 | E 8 | SSW 12 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | S 12 | SSW 11 | — | ENE 9 | — | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 14 |
44 | 87 | 83 | 60 | 110 | 63 | 224 | 22 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 279 | 167 | — | 7 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 215 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 7 | — | E 10 |
6 | — | — | — | — | — | 34 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 7 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | SSW 7 | — | ENE 4 | — | SW 6 | — | — | — | NE 3 | E 5 | — | SSW 7 | SSW 10 | SSW 13 | — | — | — | — | — | SW 4 |
80 | 70 | — | 13 | — | 167 | — | — | — | 2 | 57 | — | 251 | 2937 | 5352 | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 26 | 28 | 28 | 15 | 15 | 0 | 297 | 57 | 0 | 5 | 116 | 244 | 0 | 436 | 846 | 173 | 57 | 173 | 5 | 0 | 15 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape - Wild Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Information about the Eastern Beach Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Eastern Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Eastern Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Eastern Beach 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 (Eastern Beach) 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 Eastern Beach 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.
Eastern Beach is 8 km (5 miles) from the city of East London. If you plan a holiday in Eastern Cape - Wild Coast, look for hotels and other accommodation in East London. East London has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











