
Surf Forecasts:
Tidals surf forecast from 16 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s period, E swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 19 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 9s period, E swell with 828 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 17 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s period with E swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Tidals this week:
The surf forecast for Tidals over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Tidals in the next 16 days are 2.3m 9s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 19) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 8s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 22) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5PM (Thu 17th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 5PM (Thu 17th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sat 19th Sep) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tidals over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 68mm), heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat morning, min 12°C on Thu afternoon). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Wed afternoon, calm by Thu night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sat afternoon. Warm (max 27°C on Tue morning, min 17°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | Tuesday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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) | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
290 | 259 | 210 | 338 | 732 | 819 | 772 | 766 | 758 | 627 | 630 | 513 | 425 | 201 | 200 | 228 | 196 | 314 | 454 | 220 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:12PM1.38m | 6:24AM1.23m | 6:37PM1.23m | 6:50AM1.09m | 7:05PM1.08m | 7:30AM0.95m | 8:11PM0.94m | 12:16PM0.91m | 00:32AM0.98m | 1:21PM1.06m | 1:23AM1.12m | 1:50PM1.22m | 1:55AM1.26m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:22AM0.37m | 12:25PM0.43m | 00:50AM0.51m | 12:54PM0.58m | 1:31AM0.65m | 1:40PM0.73m | 4:11AM0.75m | 6:20PM0.77m | 7:00AM0.63m | 7:24PM0.63m | 7:35AM0.48m | 7:54PM0.48m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | |
5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | |
mm | 4 | 15 | 8 | 7 | 21 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 23 | 24 | 20 | 27 | 27 | 23 |
Feels °C | 12 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 24 | 25 | 20 | 27 | 27 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | S 8 | E 10 | SSW 12 | ESE 8 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | SSW 13 | E 9 |
290 | 259 | 169 | 338 | 147 | 650 | 186 | 97 | 137 | 125 | 476 | 313 | 277 | 201 | 200 | 169 | 196 | 314 | 34 | 220 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SSW 14 | E 10 | S 8 | — | SSW 12 | SSE 7 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | — | SSW 11 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 11 |
174 | 110 | 210 | 144 | — | 140 | 66 | 120 | 12 | — | 73 | 513 | 425 | 195 | 86 | 56 | 20 | 33 | 16 | 40 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SSW 14 | SE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 19 | — | — | — | — | — | SW 12 | SSW 14 | S 15 | S 14 |
— | — | 149 | 93 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 34 | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 19 | 4 | 16 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 6 | S 6 | SE 6 | — | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | — | — | E 8 | ENE 5 | ENE 8 | E 8 | SW 6 |
207 | 140 | 126 | — | 732 | 819 | 772 | 766 | 758 | 627 | 630 | 401 | 356 | — | — | 228 | 58 | 460 | 454 | 52 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 260 | 107 | 120 | 0 | 511 | 591 | 645 | 339 | 434 | 269 | 269 | 120 | 269 | 41 | 41 | 495 | 269 | 120 | 293 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape - Wild Coast | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Tidals Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Tidals provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Tidals can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Tidals 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 (Tidals) 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 Tidals 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 Eastern Cape - Wild Coast? If you are looking for accommodation near Tidals, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Eastern Cape - Wild Coast, consider staying in East London which is 25 km (16 miles) away. Other places in and around Eastern Cape - Wild Coast where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Butterworth which is 59 km (37 miles) away, Stutterheim and Bisho.










