Long Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.13° S 18.33° E

Long Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 08 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Long Beach sea temperature is
12.7°C
3.0° 

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 8 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 12 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, SW swell with 3,053 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 8 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 12s 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 Tuesday (Sep 08) at 2PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 11s. 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 2.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) 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 1.8m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2PM (Tue 8th Sep)2.5ft (0.7m) 12s
Best Surf11AM (Thu 10th Sep)8ft (2.5m) 14s
Most Powerful11PM (Sat 12th Sep)8ft (2.5m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for the next couple of weeks.

First up, we gotta talk about the water. At Long Beach, it’s a nippy 55°F right now, and that’s a full 5°F colder than usual for this time of year. That’s very unusual, so you’ll be wanting a thick steamer if you’re paddling out.

Right now, there’s a bit of a gap. The first real surf on offer kicks off Tuesday morning, September 8th, but it’s marginal at best. We’ve got a 3ft WSW swell with a 12-second period, but the wind is onshore from the NNW at 6 mph, so it’s not looking clean. The combined energy is weak (585). Tuesday afternoon cleans up nicely with a solid offshore S wind at 12 mph, but the swell drops to 2ft. It’s surfable, but very ordinary.

Wednesday the 9th is similar. Morning brings a 3ft swell from the WSW with a 13-second period and a gentle offshore S breeze at 9 mph. It’s clean but small. The afternoon picks up a touch to 4ft from the SW, with a moderate offshore SSE wind at 16 mph, and the energy bumps up to moderate (404). The forecast says to expect good surf conditions here.

Now, Thursday the 10th is where things get interesting. The morning is the first real standout. We’ve got a solid 8ft SW groundswell with a 14-second period pumping in, and the combined energy is strong (2590). Wind is a gentle offshore from the SSE at 9 mph, so it’s going to be clean. This is excellent surf, but at 8ft, it’s for experienced surfers only. The afternoon holds at 8ft from the WSW, still with moderate offshore wind, and very good conditions.

Friday the 11th gets messy. The swell drops to 6ft, but the wind swings SE and strengthens to 22 mph, becoming cross-offshore. It’s clean but the quality drops right off. By the afternoon, the wind is up to 25 mph, and it’s poor. Saturday the 12th is worse – strong SE winds at 28-31 mph, with a 7-7ft SW swell. The energy is huge (over 4000 in the afternoon), but the wind is howling. It’s a write-off for paddle surfing; this setup looks more interesting for kite surfing.

Sunday the 13th is a redemption day. The morning is a beauty: 7ft SW swell at 14 seconds, light ESE breeze at 6 mph, excellent conditions for experienced surfers. The afternoon eases to 6ft with a gentle SE breeze, still very good.

Monday the 14th is a total no-go. Wind is cross-onshore from the NNW at 16 mph, making a mess of the 4ft swell. Choppy and poor. Tuesday the 15th is even worse. A massive 12ft SW swell with a very long 26-second period rolls in, but the wind is strong onshore from the NNW at 25 mph. Combined energy is extreme (11670), but it’s a washing machine. Poor surf.

Wednesday the 16th is a big one. We’ve got a 13ft WSW swell with a 17-second period, and the wind is cross-offshore from the ESE at 12 mph. The energy is extreme (9753). The forecast calls it marginal due to tide or conditions, but for experienced surfers only, it could be a beast. The afternoon is similar.

After that, the swell backs off a bit. Thursday the 17th is 7ft, clean, but marginal. Friday the 18th gets blown out again with strong SE winds. Saturday the 19th sees a return of clean conditions with a 5ft SW groundswell and a light cross-offshore SW breeze – very good.

Sunday the 20th is the second standout. The morning is glassy, with an ESE wind at 3 mph, and a 6ft SW swell with a 13-second period. Expect very good conditions. The afternoon holds clean with a gentle offshore S breeze.

The rest of the run into the 23rd gets mixed up with stronger winds and poorer conditions, but there’s still a 6ft SW swell hanging around.

So, the two best windows are Thursday the 10th morning and Sunday the 20th morning. If you’re experienced, get on the Thursday morning session for the biggest, cleanest swell. If you want something a bit more manageable, Sunday the 20th morning with glassy conditions is your ticket. Crowds are often a factor at Long Beach, so expect company on those days.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Tue morning, fresh winds from the SE by Thu night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun morning, min 14°C on Fri morning). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SE on Sat afternoon, light winds from the E by Sun night).

Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
2
1
2
3
4
3
1
1
0
0
0
0
2
4
3
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
WSW
12
0.7
WSW
12
0.9
SW
11
0.9
WSW
13
1.1
SW
13
1.7
WSW
12
2.5
SW
14
2.3
WSW
13
2
WSW
13
1.8
WSW
12
1.6
WSW
12
2.5
SSE
7
2.1
SW
14
2.2
SW
14
2.4
SW
15
2.1
SW
14
1.9
SW
13
1.5
SW
13
1.1
SW
12
1
SW
12
1.1
SW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
294
137
211
304
382
808
2590
1859
1321
904
722
691
1838
1918
2416
1549
1285
721
367
272
309
Wind (km/h)
10
NNW
20
S
15
SE
15
S
25
SSE
15
SSE
15
SSE
20
S
30
SE
35
SE
40
SE
45
SE
45
SE
50
SE
25
ESE
10
ESE
15
SE
20
NNW
25
NNW
25
NW
30
N
Wind State
on
off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
High Tide
1:35PM1.43m
1:53AM1.43m
2:15PM1.56m
2:33AM1.51m
2:52PM1.65m
3:10AM1.55m
3:25PM1.70m
3:44AM1.55m
3:58PM1.68m
4:16AM1.51m
4:29PM1.62m
4:47AM1.44m
4:59PM1.53m
Low Tide
7:50PM0.20m
8:04AM0.12m
8:31PM0.09m
8:41AM0.05m
9:08PM0.01m
9:15AM0.02m
9:42PM-0.01m
9:48AM0.03m
10:15PM0.01m
10:19AM0.08m
10:45PM0.08m
10:49AM0.16m
11:15PM0.17m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:56
6:54
6:52
6:52
6:50
6:48
6:48
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:31
6:32
6:34
6:35
6:35
6:36
6:37
 mm
2
Temp °C
23
22
20
18
17
16
16
16
15
15
15
14
15
14
16
19
19
19
15
17
16
Feels °C
22
20
18
17
14
14
14
13
11
10
8
7
7
5
12
18
19
19
11
14
14
  • 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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