Surf Forecasts:
Periwinkles surf forecast from 10 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 16 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 12s period, ENE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 12s period, ENE swell with 1,372 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 15 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 7s period with ENE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Periwinkles this week:
The surf forecast for Periwinkles over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 1.8m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Periwinkles in the next 16 days are 2.3m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 16s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 13) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Periwinkles over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s cooking for Periwinkles.
We’re in a quiet spell right now, not much to get excited about until mid-next week. The first real chance to wet a line is on Thursday, August 20th, in the morning. The ocean goes glassy – barely a breath of wind – and there’s a 6ft swell from the east with a short 6-second period. Combined energy is weak at 380, but the clean surface makes it a treat. That’s your standout: a calm, welcoming window for the intermediate surfer. Water’s about 68°, pretty standard for this time of year.
That Thursday afternoon, the swell jumps to 8ft from the east, still short period at 8 seconds, energy moderate at 1046. Wind comes cross-on, so it’ll get a bit textured, and that size is pushing into expert territory.
Friday, August 21st, things ramp up big – 12ft to 15ft swell from the southeast, long 12-second period, energy strong to very strong (4207 to 5978). But with fresh to strong cross-shore winds, it’s a choppy mess. More of a kite-surfing day unless you’re an experienced charger wanting a battle.
Saturday, August 22nd, still sees a 13ft swell from the ESE, period 12 seconds, energy 4794, but winds remain cross and moderate to fresh, keeping the surface lumpy. Expert-only and not clean.
From there, the swell fades into the end of the month – 7ft down to 4ft – with winds staying cross or onshore. No other real standouts.
Bottom line: Thursday, August 20th morning at Periwinkles is your clear winner – glassy, 6ft east swell, and that reef will hold shape nicely. Everything else is blown out, too big, or too messy. Get that Thursday in your calendar.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed morning, min 14°C on Mon afternoon). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sun morning, min 14°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NE on Thu afternoon, light winds from the NE by Sat morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SE 8 | SSW 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | SSW 17 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 12 | ENE 12 | ENE 12 | ENE 12 | E 11 | E 11 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 251 | 487 | 1206 | 865 | 603 | 380 | 460 | 503 | 381 | 441 | 395 | 285 | 457 | 475 | 383 | 1102 | 1372 | 1251 | 1104 | 835 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:25PM1.36m | 2:41AM1.48m | 3:10PM1.53m | 3:23AM1.58m | 3:49PM1.66m | 4:01AM1.63m | 4:25PM1.74m | 4:36AM1.64m | 4:59PM1.76m | 5:09AM1.61m | 5:32PM1.73m | 5:40AM1.54m | 6:02PM1.64m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:30PM0.30m | 8:56AM0.16m | 9:17PM0.17m | 9:35AM0.04m | 9:57PM0.08m | 10:10AM-0.03m | 10:34PM0.04m | 10:42AM-0.05m | 11:08PM0.05m | 11:14AM-0.03m | 11:40PM0.10m | 11:43AM0.05m | 00:10AM0.18m | |||||||
 |  | | |  |  |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — |
 | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — |
mm | 2 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 18 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 24 | 23 | 20 |
Feels °C | 10 | 13 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SSW 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSW 19 | ESE 9 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | ENE 7 | E 7 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | SW 12 | E 11 |
| kJ | 251 | 487 | 1206 | 865 | 220 | 297 | 187 | 322 | 158 | 441 | 395 | 173 | 121 | 355 | 181 | 851 | 959 | 980 | 23 | 835 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | SE 8 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | S 10 | SSW 17 | SW 16 | ENE 10 | ENE 11 | S 9 | SW 16 | E 12 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | — | SW 16 |
| kJ | 145 | 169 | 412 | 372 | 359 | 163 | 145 | 94 | 381 | 258 | 21 | 40 | 2 | 61 | 383 | 31 | 28 | 23 | — | 39 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SSW 14 | S 13 | E 10 | S 26 | SSW 14 | SSW 22 | SW 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 11 | S 8 | SW 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | — | SW 11 |
| kJ | 161 | 236 | 14 | 68 | 13 | 64 | 181 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 33 | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | 19 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 12 | ENE 12 | ENE 12 | E 11 | WSW 3 |
| kJ | — | — | 426 | 277 | 603 | 380 | 460 | 503 | 77 | 224 | 277 | 285 | 457 | 475 | 247 | 1102 | 1372 | 1251 | 1104 | 3 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 1 | 541 | 300 | 325 | 403 | 541 | 150 | 295 | 401 | 150 | 302 | 302 | 0 | 70 | 74 | 0 | 70 | 290 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape - Wild Coast | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Periwinkles Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Periwinkles provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Periwinkles can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Periwinkles 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 (Periwinkles) 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 Periwinkles 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.
Periwinkles is 44 km (27 miles) from the city of Butterworth. If you plan a holiday in Eastern Cape - Wild Coast, look for hotels and other accommodation in Butterworth. Butterworth has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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