Surf Forecasts:
Kelso (Happy Wanderers) surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 11s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, SSW swell with 1,664 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 12s period with SE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Kelso (Happy Wanderers) this week:
The surf forecast for Kelso (Happy Wanderers) over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 10s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Kelso (Happy Wanderers) in the next 16 days are 3.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 7s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kelso (Happy Wanderers) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. We’ve got a pretty lean stretch ahead at Kelso (Happy Wanderers). The whole 16-day window is looking tough, with real surfable action only peeking through on a few days. There’s a big gap of poor conditions from the 22nd of July through to the 24th, and then another dry spell from the 26th right through to the 3rd of August. Don’t get too excited – the best we’ve got is marginal.
The standout window is the morning of Friday, 24th July. A solid 8 ft swell from the S, with an 11-second period, is pushing in and combined wave energy is strong at 1501. The wind is a clean cross-offshore from the S at 12 mph, which means the face should be pretty clean. This is a point break, so that S swell direction isn’t a perfect match for the optimum S direction, but it’s close enough. The size is pushing into the “too big for beginners” zone, but for an intermediate, this is the best on offer. The water temp is about average for the time of year, so nothing weird there. Crowds are possible here, so get in early.
The morning of Monday, 20th July, is worth a mention too. We’ve got a 7 ft swell from the SSE, period 12 seconds, and energy at 1385. The wind is a clean cross-offshore from the S at 12 mph. Again, it’s marginal due to tide, but it’s one of the few half-decent windows.
Thursday afternoon, 28th July, throws up a big 12 ft swell from the SSW with a short 9-second period – that’s a windswell, not a groundswell. Combined energy is 2210, which is very strong, but the period is short, so it’ll be chunky and messy. This one is for experts only, and the onshore/cross conditions make it a real handful. Honestly, this setup looks more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer.
The rest of the run is a write-off with onshore winds, low swell, or poor conditions. Keep an eye on the forecasts, though – it tends not to stay this flat for long.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Wed morning, min 14°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Fri morning, min 16°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Thu afternoon, calm by Fri night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SE 12 | SSE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SSW 7 | SSW 9 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 16 | S 15 | S 15 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 993 | 1368 | 841 | 683 | 551 | 486 | 389 | 508 | 336 | 205 | 164 | 555 | 1202 | 1439 | 1369 | 651 | 1430 | 1117 | 405 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 7:21AM1.40m | 7:54PM1.47m | 8:01AM1.27m | 8:37PM1.34m | 8:51AM1.15m | 9:37PM1.21m | 10:15AM1.05m | 11:15PM1.15m | 12:22PM1.05m | 00:56AM1.18m | 1:43PM1.15m | 1:58AM1.28m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:24AM0.39m | 1:28PM0.33m | 2:04AM0.50m | 2:07PM0.47m | 2:53AM0.61m | 2:58PM0.60m | 4:04AM0.69m | 4:19PM0.70m | 5:56AM0.71m | 6:18PM0.71m | 7:26AM0.62m | 7:40PM0.63m | |||||||
 |  | | | | |  | | | |  | | | |  |  | | | | |
 | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — |
 | 5:15 | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 18 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 19 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | SSE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | SE 12 | SE 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 15 | S 15 | SSE 9 |
| kJ | 993 | 1368 | 841 | 683 | 551 | 486 | 389 | 361 | 282 | 293 | 142 | 74 | 106 | 60 | 1369 | 627 | 1430 | 1117 | 169 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | E 10 | S 8 | SSW 9 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | NE 8 | ENE 7 | SE 11 | SSW 16 | SE 10 | ESE 10 | SSW 15 |
| kJ | 130 | 49 | 165 | 146 | 125 | 306 | 358 | 508 | 336 | 205 | 164 | 110 | 30 | 5 | 42 | 651 | 16 | 10 | 405 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | S 10 | ENE 10 | SSW 13 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | — | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | — | E 8 | E 10 | SSW 19 | SE 11 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 9 |
| kJ | 71 | 17 | 31 | 63 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 6 | — | 192 | 96 | — | 1 | 2 | 145 | 29 | 14 | 6 | 14 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 6 | — | NNE 5 | N 3 | NE 4 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 7 | SSW 5 | SSW 7 | SSW 9 | S 11 | — | — | NNE 3 | NE 4 | NE 4 |
| kJ | — | 140 | — | 3 | 8 | 12 | 45 | 69 | 205 | 434 | 30 | 555 | 1202 | 1439 | — | — | 1 | 12 | 29 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3 | 87 | 90 | 0 | 49 | 49 | 14 | 49 | 426 | 14 | 205 | 205 | 3 | 235 | 50 | 21 | 49 | 49 | 48 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Durban/KwaZulu-Natal South Coast | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Kelso (Happy Wanderers) Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Kelso (Happy Wanderers) provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Kelso (Happy Wanderers) can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Kelso (Happy Wanderers) 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 (Kelso (Happy Wanderers)) 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 Kelso (Happy Wanderers) 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.
Kelso (Happy Wanderers) is 5 km (3 miles) from Scottburgh. If you plan a holiday in Durban/KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, look for hotels and other accommodation in Scottburgh. Scottburgh has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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