Long Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.13° S 18.33° E

Long Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 am 20 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Long Beach sea temperature is
14.3° C
1.4° 

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 20 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SW swell with 3,165 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 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 Thursday (Aug 20) at 2PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m 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 13s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 8AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2PM (Thu 20th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 13s
Best Surf 2PM (Thu 20th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 13s
Most Powerful 2PM (Thu 20th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 13s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s coming up for Long Beach.

First thing to know: the water’s running a bit colder than usual for this time of year – about 1.4° cooler, so you’ll want that extra layer if you’re spending the morning in the water.

The forecast kicks off Thursday, 20 August morning, and to be honest, this is the standout of the whole outlook. We’ve got a solid 11.5 ft SW groundswell rolling in with a 13-second period. The combined energy is strong at 3903, so there’s plenty of push. It’s a big day – over 8 ft, which makes it one for experienced surfers only. That offshore SSE wind at 9 mph through the morning is going to groom it, keeping it clean and lined up. The afternoon stays clean too, with a 9.8 ft SW swell and 12 mph offshore winds. Thursday is the big ticket, but it’s not for the faint-hearted. Conditions are excellent, but you need to know what you’re doing. Crowds are likely here, so get in early.

Friday, 21 August, things drop quickly. Morning has a 6.6 ft SW swell, but it’s cross-off with a 16 mph SE wind, and the score is marginal. That wind strength is going to mess with the surface a bit. Friday afternoon is smaller at 4.6 ft WSW, still cross-off, but the quality just isn’t there. Not worth getting too excited about.

Saturday, 22 August, is a write-off for paddle surfing. Onshore wind in the morning and poor conditions overall. The afternoon has a cross-on breeze with a 6.2 ft SW swell and poor quality. If you’ve got a kite, the beach setup could be more interesting, but for a surfboard, skip it.

Sunday, 23 August, shows some life. The morning has a 6.9 ft WSW swell with a 13-second period and a cross-off SE wind. It’s marginal, but the afternoon picks up. The afternoon session looks good, with a clean 6.6 ft WSW swell and 12 mph offshore SSE wind. It’s a solid afternoon, clean and lined up, with moderate energy at 1549.

Monday, 24 August, is a letdown. The 19 mph winds hit in the afternoon, blowing out a 4.3 ft WSW swell. The morning at 6.2 ft is marginal with strong cross-off winds. Not your day.

Tuesday, 25 August, offers some size but strong winds again. We’ve got a 7.9 ft SW swell in the morning with a very long 14-second period, but 19 mph SE cross-off winds keep it from being great. This long-period groundswell will favour a point or reef setup, but Long Beach is a sandbar and beach break – it might line up a bit too straight for the sandbar. Afternoon is similar with 6.9 ft WSW and 19 mph winds. Both sessions are marginal.

Wednesday, 26 August, is smaller but cleaner in the afternoon. 4.3 ft WSW swell with a 12-second period, light SW cross-off wind at 6 mph, and good conditions. That light wind makes it a nice, low-key session.

Thursday, 27 August, early morning has a 3.6 ft WSW swell with a light cross-off SE breeze, good for a fun little session. The afternoon gets a longer 15-second period at 3.9 ft, but a 12 mph cross-off wind. It’s marginal, but the longer period could give a few cleaner lines.

Now, Friday, 28 August, is another standout. The afternoon session brings a clean 8.2 ft WSW groundswell with a very long 15-second period and gentle 9 mph cross-off SW winds. Combined energy is strong at 2846. This is excellent for experienced surfers. That long period groundswell at 8.2 ft is going to have plenty of power and shape, but it’s on a beach and sandbar setup – it can break a bit fast and straight, so you need to pick your peak. Still, this is the best session of the second week.

Saturday, 29 August, holds 5.9 ft WSW swell with fresh 19-22 mph offshore S winds. It’s clean but that wind is strong – it’s only for the hardy. The energy is moderate.

Sunday, 30 August, drops in quality. 8.2 ft swell both sessions, but the period drops to 7-8 seconds – that’s short-period, weak windswell. It’s messy and poor, with strong SE winds. Not recommended.

Monday, 31 August, the swell drops right off. Morning has 5.2 ft SE swell at 7 seconds, very weak energy at 404. Afternoon is a tiny 2.3 ft WSW. There’s virtually

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Sun morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SE on Mon night, light winds from the ESE by Tue night).

Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
1
1
1
2
0
0
3
2
3
3
1
0
1
2
2
2
1
2
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3.5
SW
13
3
SW
12
2.3
SW
12
2
SW
11
1.4
WSW
11
1.4
SSW
10
1.3
SSW
12
1.9
SW
11
2.2
SW
12
2.1
WSW
13
2
WSW
13
2.2
SW
12
1.9
WSW
11
1.3
WSW
11
2.3
SW
15
2.4
SW
14
2.1
WSW
13
1.8
WSW
13
1.4
WSW
12
1.3
WSW
12
1.2
WSW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
3903
2536
1513
947
458
392
543
882
1313
1465
1236
1299
907
430
2278
2141
1567
1093
575
477
374
Wind (km/h)
15
SSE
20
SSE
25
SE
20
SE
20
SSE
15
SSW
15
NNW
10
NNW
15
SE
15
SE
20
SSE
20
SSE
25
SSE
30
SSE
40
SE
30
SE
30
SE
15
ESE
10
NNW
10
SW
10
E
Wind State
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross
High Tide
8:04AM0.99m
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
1:55PM0.63m
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
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:20
7:18
7:18
7:16
7:16
7:13
7:13
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:19
6:20
6:21
6:21
6:22
6:22
6:23
 mm
Temp °C
14
14
13
13
15
14
14
15
15
13
14
13
13
14
14
14
21
21
24
24
19
Feels °C
12
11
9
9
11
11
12
13
15
10
11
9
10
10
7
8
16
19
21
20
17
  • 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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