Kelso (Happy Wanderers) Surf Break

Lat Long: 30.25° S 30.78° E

Kelso (Happy Wanderers) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 15 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Kelso (Happy Wanderers) sea temperature is
21.8° 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 15 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 21 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 12s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 22 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with 2,378 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 15 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 11s 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 Wednesday (Jul 15) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 10s. 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 2.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Monday (Jul 20) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Wed 15th Jul)6ft (1.9m) 11s
Best Surf 5AM (Tue 21st Jul)7.5ft (2.3m) 12s
Most Powerful 8AM (Wed 22nd Jul)6.5ft (2.0m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s get into it. Over the next couple of weeks, Kelso (Happy Wanderers) has some real solid windows, especially in that second week. A bit of a quiet patch mid-period too, but we’ll get there.

We’re looking at Wednesday afternoon, 15th July, to kick things off. The water temp is sitting at 71°, which is bang on average for the time of year, nothing unusual there. Swell is around 7ft from the east with a 10-second period, giving us moderate energy (869) and a clean cross-off breeze. That’s a nice session to start with – clean, fun-sized waves.

Thursday the 16th is a beauty for the early birds. Morning has 5ft east swell with glassy conditions and barely a breath of wind – 3 mph from the ENE, so that’s glassy. The afternoon stays similar with 5ft and glassy again. Two good sessions. Energy is moderate, in the 580s.

Friday 17th sees a drop to 4ft in the morning with a light cross-shore, but the afternoon picks up with 4ft and clean conditions again. Not huge, but still a decent little run.

Then there’s a gap. From Saturday 18th right through to Tuesday 21st the quality falls off. Swell drops, winds turn onshore or cross-on, and the scores are poor to marginal. Saturday morning is a write-off with cross-on wind and choppy conditions. Even Sunday and Monday have fresh winds making things messy. Tuesday afternoon shows a little promise with 3ft and a clean cross-off, but it’s the only bright spot in that stretch.

Now, Wednesday 22nd July – that’s the standout. The morning has 7ft from the SSW with a very long 16-second period, and combined energy is strong at 2147. It’s a bit cross-on in the morning but the afternoon? Clean cross-off breeze with 6ft of long-period SSW groundswell (15 seconds) and energy of 1469. That’s a serious session for experienced surfers – long lines, real power, and clean faces.

Thursday 23rd gets big – 12ft from the SSW in the morning with a long 15-second period, but with onshore wind from the NE, so it’s pretty gnarly. That’s only for experts and it’s rough. The afternoon has 10ft but strong cross-on wind and chop. Not the day for a paddle.

Friday 24th morning is back in the sweet spot: 6ft SSW groundswell, 15 seconds, clean cross-off breeze, and excellent conditions for experienced surfers. Energy is 1349. The afternoon sees the wind picking up to 25 mph, so that’ll be a handful.

Another quiet stretch hits from Saturday 25th through Monday 27th July – mostly marginal or poor, with strong winds and messy seas. The swell sticks around but the quality isn’t there.

Then Tuesday 28th morning brings 5ft from the SSW with 12 seconds and a light cross-off. Clean again, moderate energy (635). That’s a solid mid-week window.

Wednesday 29th morning looks good too – 4ft with a long 15-second period, clean, and energy of 679. A very clean, fun-sized groundswell.

Thursday 30th finishes the run with 7ft from the SSW but it’s onshore wind and choppy – not the best way to end.

The best on offer overall? Wednesday 22nd July afternoon is the standout – clean, powerful groundswell, cross-off wind, and excellent conditions for experienced surfers. Friday 24th morning is also right up there.

Take it easy,
Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sat morning, min 15°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Mon afternoon, min 16°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat night, fresh winds from the S by Sun afternoon).

Wed
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
2
2
2
1
2
2
0
1
2
0
0
3
0
0
2
1
2
3
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2
E
10
1.8
E
11
1.6
E
10
1.5
E
10
1.3
E
10
1.2
E
10
1.1
E
10
1.1
E
10
1
E
10
1
S
13
1.4
S
12
1.1
S
11
0.8
SSE
13
1.5
S
11
1
S
10
0.9
SSW
12
1.2
SSW
13
0.9
SSW
12
1
SSW
13
2.2
SSW
15
2
SSW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
840
730
524
443
325
279
234
233
200
340
538
284
225
516
227
246
492
246
339
2048
2119
Wind (km/h)
15
SSW
10
W
5
ENE
5
SE
10
NW
10
SSE
10
S
10
NW
15
NE
10
NE
10
WSW
30
SSW
25
SSW
10
WNW
25
NNE
25
NE
20
SW
20
S
10
S
10
NNW
5
ESE
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
glassy
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
on
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
High Tide
4:42PM1.77m
4:55AM1.74m
5:22PM1.80m
5:33AM1.70m
6:01PM1.78m
6:10AM1.62m
6:39PM1.71m
6:45AM1.52m
7:16PM1.60m
7:21AM1.40m
7:54PM1.47m
8:01AM1.27m
8:37PM1.34m
8:51AM1.15m
Low Tide
10:47PM0.11m
11:04AM0.01m
11:28PM0.13m
11:41AM0.03m
00:08AM0.19m
12:17PM0.09m
00:46AM0.28m
12:52PM0.20m
1:24AM0.39m
1:28PM0.33m
2:04AM0.50m
2:07PM0.47m
2:53AM0.61m
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
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>
6:50
6:50
6:50
6:50
6:50
6:48
6:48
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:13
5:14
5:14
5:15
5:15
5:15
5:16
5:16
 mm
Temp °C
21
19
20
20
18
20
20
18
23
23
21
21
21
19
21
24
19
21
21
18
26
Feels °C
19
19
19
18
17
19
18
19
20
21
21
17
16
18
17
19
19
19
20
19
23
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  • 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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