Long Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.13° S 18.33° E

Long Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 am 16 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Long Beach sea temperature is
13.8° C
1.9° 

Long Beach surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Long Beach surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 13s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with 3,785 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 13s period with WSW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Long Beach this week:

The surf forecast for Long Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 13s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Long Beach in the next 16 days are 3.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Mon 17th Aug)8ft (2.5m) 13s
Best Surf 8PM (Mon 17th Aug)8ft (2.5m) 13s
Most Powerful11PM (Sun 16th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 14s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Long Beach over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s get into it. The forecast window really starts to fire up around Wednesday, August 19th, with a solid run of southwest groundswell and some good wind windows. The standout period is shaping up to be Friday, August 28th, with a couple of other excellent days in the mix. There’s a bit of a rough patch early on, and later in the month, some very strong energy pushes through, but it’s paired with tricky winds.

Right now, the water is sitting at 57° which is a bit colder than usual for this time of year, so expect a bit of extra chill slipping into the lineup at Long Beach.

The early part of the week, starting Sunday August 16th, is pretty average. Sunday morning has 7 ft of WSW swell but the wind is onshore from the NNW at 12 mph, and the wave comment says it’s poor with a combined energy of 1774. Sunday afternoon goes up to 8 ft, but still cross-onshore and choppy. Monday isn’t much better – 10 ft in the morning but onshore and messy, energy at 2715. The afternoon improves a little with a light breeze but still cross-onshore. Tuesday sees a shift to cross-offshore winds from the SE, which cleans things up, but the waves are still only marginal. 7 ft in the morning, 10 ft in the afternoon with moderate energy pushing 2984.

Then, Wednesday August 19th is where we start to get some clean action. Morning brings offshore winds from the S at 12 mph, 8 ft of SW swell at 12 seconds, and a combined energy of 1866. The afternoon is even better – gentle offshore from the S at 9 mph, 8 ft, clean waves, and the comment says “expect very good surf conditions.” That’s a solid session.

But the real highlight is Friday August 28th. The afternoon session is absolutely firing – 12 ft of SW swell with a 15-second period, combined energy of 6868, offshore winds from the S at 9 mph, and the comment says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” This is the best on offer. The morning of the 28th is also excellent with 8 ft and clean cross-offshore winds, but the afternoon is the standout. That swell is big and powerful, so this is for experienced surfers only.

The run-up to that is also good. Monday August 24th morning has 7 ft of SSW swell at 14 seconds, light winds from the SE, and excellent conditions for experienced surfers. Wednesday August 26th is another cracker – morning has 10 ft of SW swell, 15-second period, combined energy of 3795, and light cross-offshore winds, excellent for experienced surfers. The afternoon is clean too, with 8 ft.

There’s a bit of a lull in between. Saturday August 22nd and Sunday August 23rd are mostly poor to marginal. The 22nd has cross-onshore winds and poor surf, and the 23rd is clean but with strong winds and only marginal conditions.

The very end of the month, August 30th and 31st, sees a big pulse of energy – 13 ft on the 30th afternoon with 7629 combined energy, but it’s wind-affected, and the 31st has 12 ft with clean conditions but still marginal. The 30th morning is a write-off with strong onshore winds and messy surf.

So, bottom line: if you’re an experienced surfer, Friday August 28th afternoon is the one to circle. Wednesday the 19th and the 26th are also excellent clean sessions. The rest of the window is either marginal or too big and messy for the casual paddle.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SE on Thu night, calm by Fri night).

Sunday
16
Monday
17
Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
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
1
1
1
3
4
3
2
2
3
3
2
2
2
1
2
2
2
0
0
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.1
WSW
14
2.5
WSW
14
3
WSW
14
3
WSW
13
2.5
WSW
13
2.3
WSW
13
2
WSW
12
3
SW
13
3
SW
12
2.5
SW
12
2.4
SW
12
2.5
SW
12
3
SW
13
3
SW
13
2.3
SW
12
2.2
SW
11
1.9
SW
11
1.5
SW
11
1.8
SW
11
1.9
SW
10
2.2
SW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1773
2671
3703
2709
2354
1766
1197
2984
2397
1866
1638
1928
3057
2843
1539
1131
860
487
749
745
1551
Wind (km/h)
20
NNW
15
NW
20
N
20
NNW
10
NW
10
SSW
15
SE
25
SSE
25
SSE
20
S
15
S
20
SSE
30
SSE
35
SE
30
SE
20
SSE
20
S
5
WSW
15
NW
15
WNW
15
S
Wind State
on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
off
High Tide
5:39PM1.55m
5:56AM1.33m
6:12PM1.43m
6:31AM1.21m
6:47PM1.29m
7:10AM1.09m
7:28PM1.15m
8:04AM0.99m
8:30PM1.04m
9:46AM0.92m
10:24PM0.98m
11:55AM0.96m
00:06AM1.03m
Low Tide
11:24AM0.14m
11:56PM0.19m
11:56AM0.25m
00:31AM0.30m
12:29PM0.38m
1:08AM0.42m
1:05PM0.51m
1:54AM0.54m
1:55PM0.63m
3:17AM0.62m
3:49PM0.70m
5:32AM0.61m
6:07PM0.66m
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:24
7:24
7:22
7:22
7:20
7:18
7:18
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:16
6:16
6:17
6:19
6:19
6:20
6:21
 mm
Temp °C
14
15
15
16
16
16
15
15
13
14
15
14
13
13
13
13
14
14
15
16
16
Feels °C
11
11
13
13
14
16
13
11
8
11
12
10
9
7
6
9
11
13
13
14
15
  • 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 Long Beach Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Long Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Long Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Long Beach 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 (Long Beach) 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 Long Beach 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.

Are you planning a holiday in Cape Town? If you are looking for accommodation near Long Beach, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Cape Town, consider staying in Cape Town which is 26 km (16 miles) away. Other places in and around Cape Town where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Robben Island which is 37 km (23 miles) away, Bellville, Stellenbosch and Kayamnandi.

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