Surf Forecasts:
Long Beach surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 13s period, WSW swell with 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, 11PM (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 11PM. 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 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 1.3m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Mon 17th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Mon 17th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Long Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty checkin’ in with a look at what Long Beach (sandbar) has cookin’ over the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a slow burner, but there’s a real gem waitin' for us right at the end.
First up, the water’s sittin' at 57°, which is a touch colder than we’re used to for this time of year. Not freezing, but you’ll feel that little bite.
We’ve got a solid stretch of surf on the horizon, but the early days are a real mixed bag. Sunday the 16th kicks off with a 7ft WSW swell, but that north wind is blowin’ straight on, making it a bit of a mess. The wave energy is strong though, checkin’ in at 1672. Monday the 17th pumps up to 10ft, but again that wind angle is no good – it’s cross-on and lumpy. For the first few days, the setup is just too choppy for a good paddle. We do get some cross-off winds on Tuesday the 18th, cleanin’ up a 10ft SW swell, but the quality is still just so-so. It’s a kite surfer’s dream, not so much for us.
The real turn happens mid-week. Wednesday the 19th morning, the wind swings to a light offshore from the SSE, combin’ with an 8ft SW swell at 12 seconds. The energy is solid at 1742, and it’s lookin’ clean. Then Thursday the 20th pushes that swell to 10ft with clean, cross-off winds, but it's bumpin' up into the big range – more for the experienced crew. Friday the 21st morning is the pick of the first week: a light offshore breeze from the SSE, a solid 7ft SW swell, and clean conditions. That’s a session you’d paddle out for.
The weekend of the 23rd and 24th gets a bit wild. We see a big, very long-period groundswell from the SSW on Sunday the 23rd afternoon, hittin’ 8ft with a 16-second period. The energy jumps to 5089 – that’s powerful stuff. Monday the 24th isn’t backing down, with an 12ft SW swell on the morning. This is proper big-wave territory, and with that long period, it’s going to be walled up and fast at a sandbar. Only for experts who know what they’re doin’.
Now, here’s the standout. After a few days of cleaner but still sizey conditions, we get to Tuesday the 25th afternoon. The wind goes offshore from the south, and the swell drops to a beautiful 5ft SW, but with a wild 22-second period. That is *ultra* long-period groundswell, and the energy is massive at 3358. For a point or reef, this would be heaven. At a sandbar, it might be a bit straight, but wow, the power will be there.
But the absolute best of the whole run has to be Wednesday the 26th morning. The forecast is for a glassy, dead-calm morning, a 10ft SW swell with a 16-second period, and energy at 3968. The text literally says "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers." That is a once-in-a-forecast window. Get the big board for that one.
The very end of the run, Sunday the 30th, is a monster. A 15ft SW groundswell with a 16-second period and an energy reading of 9520 – that’s just insane power. The wind is glassy again in the morning. This is for chargers only, a big, heavy, and potentially epic day if you’ve got the nerve.
So, overall: a slow, messy start, but it builds into some very clean, powerful windows. The absolute pinnacle is the glassy morning of Wednesday the 26th with that long-period SW swell. Tuesday the 25th afternoon and that Sunday the 30th morning are also serious contenders for the experienced crew.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun night, min 13°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SE on Thu night, light winds from the W 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 | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 11 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1667 | 2671 | 3703 | 2709 | 2354 | 1624 | 1033 | 2596 | 2130 | 1742 | 1638 | 1565 | 2331 | 2736 | 1771 | 1213 | 860 | 460 | 1035 | 2233 | 2111 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-off | 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 | ||||||||
7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | |
— | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:19 | — | — | 6:19 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:21 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 |
Feels °C | 11 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 11 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
1667 | 2671 | 3703 | 2709 | 2354 | 1624 | 1033 | 2596 | 2130 | 1742 | 1638 | 1565 | 2331 | 2736 | 1771 | 1213 | 860 | 460 | 1035 | 2233 | 2111 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 10 | — | — | — | WSW 16 | SW 14 | SW 12 | W 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
9 | — | — | — | 211 | 363 | 888 | 75 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SW 16 | E 11 | E 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | 65 | 9 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 4 | SE 4 | — | — | — | — | SE 5 | — | — | — | NW 3 | — | — |
5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 31 | 7 | — | — | — | — | 53 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 21 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 411 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 9 | 22 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Town | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











