Amanzimtoti Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s cut through the numbers and talk about what’s really happening at Amanzimtoti. This is a beach and reef setup that’s exposed to the south, so it grabs whatever the ocean throws at it. The water temp is sitting at 70°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The next 16 days are a real mixed bag, and to be honest, the first week is a bit of a write-off for anything decent. The wind is a constant problem, mostly cross or cross-onshore, and the ocean is just lumpy and choppy. There’s a short window of hope on Saturday the 22nd. The morning looks promising with a light offshore from the NNW, swinging to a gentle breeze. The swell is only 3ft from the SSW, with a long 12s period, which gives it some shape, and the combined energy is moderate at 435. The wind is offshore and clean, so the surf will be glassy. That’s your best bet for the first week, but it’s not a big day.

The following week is where things get interesting, but it’s also where the wind comes back to bite. Sunday the 23rd has a solid 13ft SSW swell with a 13s period, but the cross-onshore wind at 25 km/h is going to chop it up completely. The combined energy is a massive 8370, suggesting strong to very strong wave energy, but it’s a messy, blown-out mess. The afternoon is a little better with a 10ft SSW swell and a 15s period, and the wind drops to 15 km/h, but it’s still cross-onshore. The surf will be poor for paddle surfing. If you’ve got a kite, this is the week to look at it.

The standout for the whole period, in my opinion, is the morning of Saturday the 22nd. It’s the only time we get a clean, offshore wind and a decent, long-period swell. The wave comment says “expect good surf conditions,” and the score backs that up. It’s not huge, but it’s clean, and that’s a rare thing here. The crowds are listed as “sometimes,” so you might have a few friends out, but it’s not a circus.

There’s a big gap of poor surf after that, with nothing worth paddling out for until the very end of the period. The swell is either too small, too windy, or both. The last few days of August and the start of September are all cross-shore winds and choppy, lumpy conditions, with the occasional small swell that’s just not worth the effort.

So, to wrap it up: if you’re a surfer, your best bet is Saturday the 22nd morning. It’s clean, it’s offshore, and it’s the only real quality window in the entire 16-day run. The rest of the time, the wind is the enemy. For the kite surfers, the big swell days on the 23rd and 30th might be worth a look, but for a wave, it’s a tough call.

Rusty.

Read more