
Surf Forecasts:
Kelso (Happy Wanderers) surf forecast from 10 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 12 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 9s period, ESE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 10 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, S swell with 2,891 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 9s period with ESE 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 Wednesday (Aug 12) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Kelso (Happy Wanderers) in the next 16 days are 4.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 10) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.1m 7s period and expected on Monday (Aug 10) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Wed 12th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Wed 12th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Mon 10th Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kelso (Happy Wanderers) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, grab a coffee and let’s have a look at the next 16 days for Kelso.
The outlook’s a tough one, to be honest. We’ve got a proper run of messy, blown-out, or just plain poor conditions. The first real surf on offer shows up on Monday the 10th of August, but it’s a big, unruly 12ft S swell with a cross-off wind blasting at 28 mph. The combined energy is pumping hard (2351), but it’s raw and pretty much unsurfable for a paddle. A beach setup like Kelso (Happy Wanderers) with that much power and wind is more of a kite-surfing show than a surfer’s dream. The next few days stay marginal with 7ft to 5ft waves, but the wind keeps nagging from the cross-off direction, and we’ve got rain showers muddying the view.
Thursday morning the 13th of August gives a little glimmer for a moment. The swell drops to 5ft from the ESE, and the wind swings light from the WNW at 6 mph, making for a clean, cross-off morning. The energy is moderate (640), and the period is a short 8 seconds, so it’ll be a bit fat and weak, but it’s the only window where the surface looks glassy. Crowds are known to be around here sometimes, so you might have a few mates out. That’s the pick of the entire run, but it’s a low bar.
After that, it’s a whole lot of nothing good. From Friday the 14th through to the 25th of August, the wind is either onshore or cross-on, often from the NE, and the swell is either too small, too weak, or completely blown out. The energy numbers drop into the hundreds (300–500), and the water temperature is sitting at 71°, which is about normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The standouts? Honestly, Thursday morning the 13th is the only break in the clouds. If you’re desperate, that’s your window. Everything else is a write-off. The spot rarely turns on clean, and this run is a classic example of the typical blank spell for this area.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 28mm), heaviest during Mon morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 14°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the S on Mon morning, calm by Wed night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sat afternoon, min 15°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSW 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 10 | E 11 | E 12 | E 12 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
2287 | 2261 | 1048 | 623 | 381 | 1150 | 917 | 861 | 575 | 329 | 243 | 183 | 361 | 573 | 1075 | 1740 | 1472 | 1004 | 757 | 828 | 598 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | on | on | cross | on | on | cross | on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 2:26PM1.45m | 2:44AM1.57m | 3:11PM1.63m | 3:26AM1.69m | 3:50PM1.78m | 4:03AM1.76m | 4:26PM1.87m | 4:37AM1.79m | 5:00PM1.90m | 5:09AM1.76m | 5:32PM1.87m | 5:40AM1.70m | 6:02PM1.79m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:11AM0.37m | 8:31PM0.33m | 8:56AM0.20m | 9:17PM0.19m | 9:35AM0.07m | 9:57PM0.09m | 10:10AM-0.02m | 10:33PM0.05m | 10:43AM-0.06m | 11:06PM0.05m | 11:14AM-0.04m | 11:38PM0.10m | 11:44AM0.03m | 00:08AM0.18m | |||||||
6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | |
— | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | |
mm | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 17 |
Feels °C | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | ESE 11 | E 10 | SSW 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 10 | E 11 | E 12 | E 12 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 |
64 | 64 | 143 | 156 | 380 | 978 | 917 | 861 | 575 | 329 | 243 | 183 | 361 | 573 | 1075 | 1740 | 1472 | 1004 | 757 | 828 | 598 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | — | E 10 | SSW 14 | E 10 | S 13 | S 9 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 10 | E 10 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | SW 12 |
2 | — | 78 | 165 | 181 | 987 | 225 | 153 | 161 | 184 | 127 | 106 | 150 | 66 | 22 | 21 | 8 | 3 | 11 | 10 | 6 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 13 | SSW 11 | SSW 15 | — | SSW 12 | SW 24 | SSW 15 | SSW 18 | E 11 | S 8 | — | S 9 | SW 20 | S 9 | — | SW 13 | SW 13 | S 12 | SW 17 |
— | — | 14 | 109 | 305 | — | 274 | 22 | 42 | 127 | 56 | 60 | — | 6 | 15 | 6 | — | 7 | 7 | 3 | 11 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | N 3 |
2287 | 2261 | 1048 | 623 | 381 | 1150 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 382 | 187 | 168 | 862 | 862 | 853 | 862 | 862 | 0 | 0 | 49 | 0 | 49 | 49 | 14 | 49 | 49 | 14 | 49 | 49 | 14 |
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.











