Surf Forecasts:
Long Beach surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 13s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 2,686 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 11s 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 Friday (Aug 21) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 10s. 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 2.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5PM (Fri 21st Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Long Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about our local stretch of sand.
Water temp is feeling about normal for this time of year, nothing special.
We’re easing into it. Friday the 21st, the swell is around 6-7 feet from the SW, but the morning wind is messy. The afternoon cleans up with a good offshore breeze, so it’s rideable but not a classic. Saturday the 22nd is a total washout with onshore wind, so don’t bother.
Now, Sunday the 23rd is the real deal for the first week. We’re looking at a solid 7 to 8 foot groundswell from the WSW, with light offshore wind in the morning and a clean offshore breeze in the afternoon. The wave energy is pumping (1896) and the period is 12-13 seconds, giving you some real power and long lulls between sets. This is your session.
Monday the 24th has a decent morning with offshore wind, but the afternoon fades. The rest of the week is a bit of a roll of the dice with cross-off winds and some decent sized swell, but the conditions are often just so-so. Tuesday the 25th has a bigger 8-foot swell, but it’s getting into the big boy territory and the wind is strong.
Then we get to the big one. The forecast for Thursday the 3rd of September is showing a massive pulse of swell. We’re talking 18 to 20 feet from the WSW, with a very long period of 15 seconds. The wave energy is colossal (12242 and 28449). This is a serious, expert-only groundswell. The wind is offshore and clean, which is a miracle for a swell this size. Long Beach will be a beast, but on a sandbar, a long period swell can be a bit too straight, so you need to know the place. This is the standout of the whole forecast, but it’s a long way out, so stay tuned. Friday the 4th of September also holds excellent, massive waves for the experienced crew.
There are a few other clean windows, like Tuesday the 1st of September morning with glassy conditions and a 5 foot SW swell, but nothing beats that Sunday the 23rd or the big Thursday swell.
So, here’s the take: Sunday the 23rd is your best bet for the first week with clean, solid surf. The big, serious stuff for the pros is locked in for Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th of September.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SE on Tue afternoon, light winds from the ESE by Wed afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 12 | SW 11 | WSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 12 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1610 | 947 | 458 | 392 | 534 | 947 | 1048 | 1599 | 1694 | 1338 | 876 | 376 | 2424 | 2450 | 1838 | 1077 | 648 | 485 | 593 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | on | cross-on | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on |
High Tide | 8:30PM1.04m | 9:46AM0.92m | 10:24PM0.98m | 11:55AM0.96m | 00:06AM1.03m | 12:59PM1.06m | 1:02AM1.13m | 1:37PM1.18m | 1:41AM1.24m | 2:08PM1.31m | 2:13AM1.33m | 2:37PM1.42m | 2:44AM1.41m | ||||||
Low Tide | 3:17AM0.62m | 3:49PM0.70m | 5:32AM0.61m | 6:07PM0.66m | 6:46AM0.52m | 7:07PM0.56m | 7:27AM0.41m | 7:45PM0.45m | 7:59AM0.31m | 8:17PM0.34m | 8:27AM0.21m | 8:46PM0.25m | |||||||
 |  | |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — |
 | 6:19 | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:21 | — | — | 6:21 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:23 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 24 | 24 |
Feels °C | 9 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 13 | 21 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 11 | WSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 12 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 1610 | 947 | 458 | 392 | 534 | 947 | 1048 | 1599 | 1694 | 1338 | 876 | 376 | 2424 | 2450 | 1838 | 1077 | 648 | 485 | 593 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SSW 10 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 16 | WSW 14 | SSW 11 | — | — | SSW 13 | SW 10 | W 11 | — | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 10 | SSW 11 | SE 7 |
| kJ | — | — | 310 | 291 | 214 | 26 | 687 | 297 | — | — | 66 | 316 | 154 | — | 84 | 149 | 158 | 202 | 140 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SSW 14 | — | — | WSW 10 | — | — | — | — | SW 14 | — | — | — | — | SSW 15 | W 21 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 81 | — | — | 195 | — | — | — | — | 214 | — | — | — | — | 42 | 9 | 40 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 3 | SE 5 | SSE 5 | — | NW 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 4 | SE 5 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 7 | SE 7 | — |
| kJ | 6 | 56 | 40 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 17 | 99 | 157 | 282 | 413 | 334 | 285 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
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.
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