Surf Forecasts:
Kelso (Happy Wanderers) surf forecast from 9 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 11 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 9s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 10s period, SSW swell with 4,564 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 11 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 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 Friday (Sep 11) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 14s. 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 4.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 4.5m 9s period and expected on Monday (Sep 14) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Fri 11th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Fri 11th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 15ft (4.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kelso (Happy Wanderers) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here again. Let’s cut to it—this stretch is mostly a bust, with one clear shot at the end that you need to circle on the calendar.
For the first ten days or so, it’s flat to tiny, with onshore wind messing up whatever dribble rolls through. Don’t waste your time until we get to the 17th. Even then, it’s marginal—8ft of SSW swell at a short 9 seconds, with lumpy cross-off wind. The energy reading is 1169, so there’s power, but it’s not clean. The 20th is similar, 8ft of SSW at 7 seconds, but again, it’s raw and bumpy. This is kite territory, not paddle surfing.
Now, the one to get excited about. On the 22nd of September, Tuesday morning, Kelso (Happy Wanderers) lines up. You’ve got 7ft of S swell rolling in on a 13-second groundswell, with light offshore SW wind. The combined energy is 1547—that’s strong, proper juice. This point is fairly consistent, and with that glassy, offshore flow, it’s going to be clean and hollow. Crowds can show up here, so get in early. It’s for the experienced crew—this size isn’t for learners. Swell direction is a bit south of ideal, but with this period, it’ll still push through the point nicely.
After that, it fades fast. By the 23rd it’s down to 4ft, and the 24th is back to small and messy. So, your one real window is that Tuesday morning. Set the alarm, check the tide, and go get some.
Water’s about normal for this time of year, nothing special.
That’s the long and short of it. Be patient, and be ready when it turns on.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Thu morning, min 18°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Thu night, calm by Fri night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 25°C on Tue morning, min 19°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the NE on Mon afternoon, calm by Tue afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 13 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 62 | 21 | 27 | 85 | 177 | 87 | 45 | 109 | 181 | 116 | 486 | 505 | 457 | 246 | 160 | 98 | 48 | 43 | 24 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:10AM1.69m | 3:30PM1.85m | 3:42AM1.77m | 4:01PM1.92m | 4:12AM1.80m | 4:30PM1.93m | 4:41AM1.78m | 4:58PM1.89m | 5:08AM1.73m | 5:24PM1.79m | 5:33AM1.64m | 5:48PM1.66m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:06PM0.15m | 9:15AM0.04m | 9:39PM0.05m | 9:46AM-0.04m | 10:09PM0.00m | 10:15AM-0.06m | 10:38PM0.00m | 10:43AM-0.04m | 11:05PM0.04m | 11:10AM0.03m | 11:30PM0.12m | 11:36AM0.14m | 11:55PM0.23m | ||||||
 |  | |  |  | | | | | | | |  | | |  | | | | |
 | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — |
 | 5:45 | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 24 | 24 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 25 | 24 | 22 |
Feels °C | 16 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 23 | 22 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | ENE 11 | SE 10 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | E 9 | ENE 9 | SSE 8 | E 9 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 |
| kJ | 62 | 48 | 27 | 403 | 232 | 230 | 165 | 132 | 181 | 169 | 486 | 505 | 457 | 246 | 160 | 1721 | 708 | 627 | 579 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SSE 10 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | S 6 | SSE 8 | E 9 | SSE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 |
| kJ | 10 | 21 | 7 | 85 | 177 | 87 | 31 | 109 | 125 | 116 | 106 | 44 | 15 | 7 | 6 | 98 | 48 | 43 | 23 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 12 | SSW 14 | — | SSE 11 | SE 11 | SE 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | S 11 | S 9 | — | — | SSW 3 | — | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 3 | 21 | — | 11 | 5 | 6 | 45 | 38 | 46 | 40 | 66 | 30 | 2 | 6 | — | — | 2 | — | 24 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | — | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | — | — | — | ENE 9 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | NE 9 | — | — | ENE 9 |
| kJ | 753 | 521 | 555 | — | 156 | 86 | — | — | — | 188 | 81 | 289 | 471 | 1304 | 2948 | 2176 | — | — | 734 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 49 | 256 | 193 | 50 | 187 | 215 | 3 | 49 | 49 | 49 | 862 | 862 | 647 | 666 | 256 | 77 | 215 | 3 | 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.
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