Long Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.13° S 18.33° E

Long Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 21 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Long Beach sea temperature is
15.3° C
0.3° 

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 21 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 16s period, SW swell with 9,588 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 22 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 13s period with SW 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 Wednesday (Jul 22) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 13s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Long Beach in the next 16 days are 4.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) 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 1.5m 6s period and expected on Monday (Jul 27) at 2PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Wed 22nd Jul)8ft (2.5m) 13s
Best Surf 5AM (Fri 24th Jul)13ft (4.0m) 15s
Most Powerful11PM (Thu 23rd Jul)15ft (4.5m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

# Rusty's Surf Outlook

Alright, let's talk about Long Beach. It's a sandbar setup, intermediate-level stuff, fairly consistent with an SW swell window. We're looking at a solid 16-day window, but it's a bit of a mixed bag, so let's break it down.

The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing too wild.

First thing to get excited about is Thursday the 23rd afternoon. The wind goes glassy, ENE at 3 mph, and we've got a 8ft SW swell rolling in with a combined energy of 2622. That's moderate energy, but those glassy conditions will make it clean as a whistle. This is excellent for experienced surfers – the swell is over 5ft, so it's a bit much for beginners. This is a standout.

Then Friday the 24th is a beauty. Morning glassy conditions with SE at 3 mph, and a 12ft SW groundswell at 14 seconds. That's a long period, meaning better shaped waves, more energy, and longer gaps between sets – makes paddling out easier. Combined energy is 5161, which is strong. This is for experienced surfers only, over 8ft. The afternoon holds at 10ft, SSE wind at 9 mph going offshore, clean and gentle. Another standout.

Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th are decent but not as prime. Saturday morning has 6ft SSW swell with cross-off winds, clean, but questionable tide conditions. Combined energy at 2135 – moderate. Saturday afternoon brings 8ft SW swell, SE wind at 9 mph, cross-off, clean, with 1740 energy. Expect very good surf. Sunday morning has 7ft SW, light cross-off, clean, 1204 energy. Good, but not the best of the window.

There's a gap from Monday the 27th through Tuesday the 28th where the wind gets strong – 31 mph near gale – and the swell is 12ft, but conditions are poor. That's a two-day wipeout.

Wednesday the 29th afternoon is worth a mention. SE wind at 16 mph turning offshore, 8ft SW groundswell at 14 seconds, combined energy 2557. Moderate offshore and clean. Marginal tide conditions, but it's a solid option.

Then there's a bit of a lull through the end of July and into August. Friday the 31st morning is glassy with 5ft SW swell, 1017 energy, very good surf conditions. A nice little clean-up session.

Saturday the 1st of August and Sunday the 2nd are poor to marginal with strong cross-off winds. The swell drops to 4-5ft. Not worth paddling out for.

From Monday the 3rd of August, it's mostly poor with onshore winds and small swell, dropping to 3ft. Then Tuesday the 4th afternoon picks up with a 13ft WSW groundswell at 15 seconds, light cross-shore wind, combined energy 6544 – very strong. But it's marginal tide conditions, so only for the experienced who know the bank.

And finally, Thursday the 6th of August morning – that's a big one. 13ft SW swell at 14 seconds, light SSW cross-off wind at 6 mph, combined energy 6311, clean. Excellent for experienced surfers. A real standout if you're willing to wait for it.

So, the best on offer: Thursday the 23rd afternoon for that glassy perfection, and Friday the 24th for the long-period groundswell with offshore winds. Thursday the 6th of August is also a monster, but it's a long way off – promising but less certain.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue night, min 11°C on Thu morning). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, fresh winds from the N by Thu morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sat night, min 13°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SE on Sun morning, strong winds from the SE by Mon afternoon).

Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
1
0
0
0
4
4
4
4
2
3
3
3
3
2
2
1
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)
2.5
SW
13
2.2
SW
12
2.1
SW
12
1.8
WSW
12
2.1
SW
11
2.3
SW
11
4.5
SW
16
3.5
SW
14
3
SW
14
3
SW
13
1.9
SSW
13
2.4
SW
12
2
SW
12
2.1
SW
11
2
SW
11
2.3
SW
13
1.9
SW
15
3.5
SSW
17
3
SW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1908
1404
1209
920
1034
1350
8899
5161
4062
2693
1245
1710
1094
1054
999
1626
1526
7100
3814
Wind (km/h)
10
S
15
NNW
20
NW
30
N
40
N
5
ENE
15
ESE
5
SE
15
SSE
25
SE
15
ESE
15
SE
15
SE
5
SE
20
SE
25
SSE
40
SE
50
SE
60
SSE
Wind State
off
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
glassy
cross-off
glassy
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
8:36PM1.19m
9:20AM1.00m
9:43PM1.11m
10:47AM0.97m
11:05PM1.08m
12:11PM1.01m
00:19AM1.11m
1:10PM1.09m
1:14AM1.17m
1:54PM1.18m
1:57AM1.25m
2:30PM1.27m
2:33AM1.32m
Low Tide
3:14AM0.51m
3:12PM0.60m
4:33AM0.55m
4:46PM0.64m
5:57AM0.53m
6:15PM0.61m
6:59AM0.47m
7:15PM0.54m
7:44AM0.39m
7:59PM0.46m
8:20AM0.31m
8:36PM0.38m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:47
7:46
7:45
7:45
7:43
7:43
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:58
5:59
6:00
6:00
6:00
6:01
6:01
 mm
2
4
1
2
Temp °C
14
13
14
14
12
13
14
13
14
14
14
19
20
18
17
15
15
15
15
Feels °C
12
11
10
10
5
11
13
12
13
11
11
16
17
15
15
13
8
7
6
  • 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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