Kelso (Happy Wanderers) Surf Break

Lat Long: 30.25° S 30.78° E

Kelso (Happy Wanderers) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 18 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Kelso (Happy Wanderers) sea temperature is
21.1° C
0.1° 

Kelso (Happy Wanderers) surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Kelso (Happy Wanderers) surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 12s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 12s period, SSW swell with 5,173 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 9s period with E 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 16s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Kelso (Happy Wanderers) in the next 16 days are 4.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 7s period and expected on Friday (Aug 21) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Tue 18th Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 9s
Best Surf 2AM (Sun 23rd Aug)13ft (4.0m) 12s
Most Powerful 2AM (Sun 23rd Aug)13ft (4.0m) 12s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kelso (Happy Wanderers) over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright mates, Rusty here. Let’s break down this forecast, and honestly, the first few days ain’t pretty. We’ve got some junk to wade through before the ocean wakes up.

The early part of this stretch, Tuesday and Wednesday, is a total loss. Small, weak swell with cross-onshore winds has got the surface all chopped up. You’re looking at waves around 2 to 6 feet, but there’s no power behind them and the wind is just ruining any chance of a clean face. Don’t even bother.

There’s a slight improvement on Thursday the 20th. The swell picks up a bit to around 8 feet in the morning from the SSW, but it’s got a short 8-second period, so it’ll be fat and crumbly. The cross-off wind will keep it somewhat clean, but it’s only marginal, you know? It’s a maybe surf, not a must-surf.

Friday is another step back, with fresh cross-onshore winds and lumpy conditions. Saturday morning is small and clean but tiny. The afternoon sees the swell jump to around 10 feet, but again, that short period makes it a close-out mess and the fresh cross-off wind isn't helping.

Now, here’s the one you’ve been waiting for. Sunday the 23rd is the standout of the whole 16 days. The swell pulses to 10 feet in the morning from the SSW, but this time with a solid 13-second period. The energy is huge. The wind is a light cross-off, making the conditions glassy and clean. This is proper groundswell, and for a point break like Kelso (Happy Wanderers), it’s going to line up beautifully. This is for experienced surfers only, it’s a big, powerful wave. The afternoon kicks up to 12 feet with an even longer 15-second period, but there’s a bit more cross-shore wind on it, so it’s not as perfect. If you’re going to get one session in this whole window, it’s Sunday morning.

That’s the peak. After that, it falls off a cliff. The following week is full of small, weak, and onshore conditions. There’s a tiny window on Tuesday the 25th afternoon with a long-period swell, but it’s only around 4 feet, so it’s a grovel at best.

The second week is largely forgettable. There’s a brief pulse on Saturday the 29th to around 8 feet, but with a short 7-8 second period and strong winds, it’s going to be a raw, messy close-out. The rest of the week into September is just small slop.

So, bottom line: don't waste your energy on the early days. Hold out for Sunday the 23rd. That’s the big one, the clear winner. Everything else up to the 2nd of September is just not worth the hype.

Rusty out.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 22°C on Wed afternoon, min 17°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, strong winds from the SSW by Wed night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 35°C on Sat morning, min 15°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Sat afternoon, light winds from the WSW 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
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
1
4
0
0
0
1
0
5
5
4
4
0
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.9
SSW
6
1
E
9
1
E
9
0.9
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
14
1.1
SSW
15
2.5
SSW
8
1.7
S
8
2.1
SSW
15
1.6
SSW
13
1.1
SSW
13
0.8
SSW
12
1
SSW
12
1.9
SSW
6
4
SSW
12
4
SSW
13
3
SSW
15
2.3
SSW
13
1.7
S
12
1.4
S
12
1.2
S
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
309
168
159
330
290
522
844
396
1898
867
418
195
278
284
5173
5020
4583
1792
855
528
351
Wind (km/h)
35
SSW
20
S
0
W
20
NE
25
NE
40
SSW
25
SSW
15
S
5
NW
30
NE
30
NE
15
N
15
NW
35
SSW
15
WSW
25
SSW
15
S
10
NW
15
NE
15
NE
5
NW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
on
on
cross-off
High Tide
6:58PM1.51m
7:04AM1.34m
7:27PM1.35m
7:34AM1.19m
8:02PM1.19m
8:21AM1.04m
9:31PM1.04m
12:09PM0.97m
00:57AM1.08m
1:47PM1.11m
1:55AM1.23m
2:24PM1.27m
2:29AM1.37m
Low Tide
12:41PM0.28m
1:06AM0.42m
1:10PM0.43m
1:38AM0.56m
1:43PM0.59m
2:25AM0.71m
2:38PM0.75m
4:50AM0.80m
6:12PM0.81m
7:32AM0.69m
7:46PM0.67m
8:12AM0.53m
8:23PM0.53m
clear
clear
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:28
6:26
6:26
6:24
6:24
6:22
6:22
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:32
5:34
5:34
5:35
5:35
5:36
5:36
 mm
1
Temp °C
20
20
19
21
22
21
20
19
18
20
20
21
35
23
19
19
19
17
19
20
18
Feels °C
15
17
19
18
19
20
15
15
18
16
16
17
30
20
13
13
14
16
16
17
17
  • 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 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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