Surf Forecasts:
West Pier (Port Alfred) surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, SW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, S swell with 5,514 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for West Pier (Port Alfred) this week:
The surf forecast for West Pier (Port Alfred) over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 10s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at West Pier (Port Alfred) in the next 16 days are 3.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 4.0m 9s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for West Pier (Port Alfred) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking for the next couple of weeks.
We’re looking at a pretty wild stretch ahead for West Pier (Port Alfred). The water is sitting at 62°, which is a hefty 5° colder than usual for this time of year – that’s a serious bite in the water, so don’t even think about ditching the steamer.
The overall pattern is messy. The first part of the week is a write-off with strong winds and junky surf. Things start to settle down late in the week, but it’s a slow build. The real standout is looking like Friday morning, the 28th of August. The swell is a clean 4 ft from the south, with a nice 12-second period, but the real story is the wind. It’s glassy, which is a huge positive for this exposed spot. The combined energy of all swells is moderate (599). It’s not huge, but for a Friday morning session, it’s going to be clean and fun.
After that, the swell drops off a bit over the weekend with some cleaner cross-off winds, though the size gets small. Then we get another big pulse of energy from the southwest starting Sunday the 30th, but it gets hammered by strong winds again, making it a messy, lumpy mess for a few days. That’s not a good look.
Looking further out, there is some serious size on the horizon. The 4th of September onwards sees a massive swell building, with waves hitting 13 ft to 15 ft from the southwest. The wind is actually light for a window there, but the issue is the size. This is expert-only territory, and even then, it’s probably too big and powerful for most. The combined energy is in the thousands – very strong (6757, 6918). For a beach/pier setup, this is more of a spectacle than a paddle. It’s a promising long-range signal, but very uncertain and for experts only.
Over the next 16 days, the best bet is that Friday morning glass. The rest is either wind-affected or too big to handle.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the WSW on Sat afternoon, calm by Sun night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 25°C on Fri morning, min 16°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the ENE on Thu afternoon, calm by Fri morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 8 | SW 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 16 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1545 | 1658 | 1221 | 1102 | 814 | 710 | 604 | 671 | 1430 | 1138 | 2329 | 2233 | 5514 | 2359 | 1335 | 942 | 726 | 449 | 416 | 287 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | off | glassy | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 00:55AM1.03m | 1:45PM1.05m | 1:47AM1.15m | 2:19PM1.19m | 2:21AM1.28m | 2:47PM1.33m | 2:51AM1.39m | 3:13PM1.46m | 3:18AM1.48m | 3:39PM1.57m | 3:45AM1.55m | 4:05PM1.66m | 4:13AM1.59m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:30PM0.73m | 7:31AM0.59m | 7:43PM0.61m | 8:08AM0.45m | 8:19PM0.48m | 8:36AM0.32m | 8:48PM0.35m | 9:01AM0.20m | 9:16PM0.24m | 9:26AM0.10m | 9:44PM0.15m | 9:51AM0.03m | 10:11PM0.08m | |||||||
 |  | | | | | | | | |  |  |  |  | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — |
 | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:51 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 22 | 20 | 25 | 25 | 28 |
Feels °C | 9 | 9 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 16 | 19 | 24 | 24 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 16 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | S 11 |
| kJ | 18 | 6 | 1221 | 1102 | 814 | 710 | 604 | 671 | 1430 | 1138 | 2329 | 2233 | 5514 | 2359 | 1335 | 942 | 726 | 842 | 614 | 287 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | SSE 11 | E 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | E 9 | S 17 | — | — | — | — | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 11 | SSE 14 |
| kJ | — | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 12 | 8 | 536 | 620 | 1055 | 2 | 812 | — | — | — | — | 251 | 449 | 416 | 163 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SE 12 | E 9 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 14 | S 15 | SW 16 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 5 | 7 | 13 | 12 | 7 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 150 | 110 | 39 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 8 | SW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | — | — | ENE 9 |
| kJ | 1545 | 1658 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 209 | 769 | 1805 | 1799 | — | — | 597 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 327 | 122 | 118 | 116 | 0 | 5 | 121 | 0 | 118 | 118 | 66 | 244 | 730 | 381 | 324 | 324 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 21 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape (South) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the West Pier (Port Alfred) Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for West Pier (Port Alfred) provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at West Pier (Port Alfred) can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our West Pier (Port Alfred) 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 (West Pier (Port Alfred)) 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 West Pier (Port Alfred) 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 (South)? If you are looking for accommodation near West Pier (Port Alfred), camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Eastern Cape (South), consider staying in Port Alfred which is 1 km (1 miles) away. Other places in and around Eastern Cape (South) where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Grahamstown which is 48 km (30 miles) away, Bisho and Fort Beaufort.
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