Amanzimtoti Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Howdy, Rusty here. Let’s talk Amanzimtoti. This beach and reef setup is exposed to S swell, and water temps are pretty normal for the season.

We get going on Wednesday morning, 12th August, but it’s not pretty. Rain showers, onshore SE wind at 9 mph, and a lumpy 8ft ESE swell at 9 seconds. Combined energy is strong at 1464. The afternoon is more of the same – messy 8ft. Thursday morning, 13th August, is where you want to be. Glassy conditions, SE wind down to a whisper at 3 mph, and a cleaner 5ft SE swell at 8 seconds. Energy drops to a moderate 432. That’s a standout window – clean, small, and uncrowded. Perfect for beginners or a relaxed paddle.

Thursday afternoon gets a cross-on breeze back, so get out early. Friday morning, 14th August, is another beauty. Cross-off NNE wind at 9 mph, clean lines, 5ft ESE swell with a 10-second period, and moderate energy of 559. This is the best wave of the week. By Friday afternoon, the NE wind cranks up to 16 mph cross-shore and it gets choppy – no good.

Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th August see the swell push up to 6–7ft from the E, with periods hitting 11–12 seconds. Energy climbs over 1000. But the NE wind stays cross-shore, leaving it bumpy and marginal. You’ll find a wave, but it’s work.

Monday 17th August has a light cross-on S wind and a 6ft E swell – still only fair. Then comes a dry spell. From Tuesday 18th August through Saturday 22nd August, it’s poor. Swell drops, wind is messy, scores are zero. Energy levels range from 117 to 682 – weak to moderate. Don’t bother.

Sunday 23rd August brings a big SSW swell – 13ft at 10 seconds with energy of 3121, which is strong. This is expert-only. The NE cross-shore wind at 13 mph puts a chop on it, and the call is marginal. Monday 24th August keeps that big 8ft+ SSW swell but with fresh cross-on SSW wind at 22 mph. Blustery and for the brave.

Tuesday 25th August is the last chance in the second week. A 6ft S swell at 14 seconds (long period) with moderate 1407 energy. Light cross-on S wind in the morning, then onshore SE in the arvo. It’s marginal but the only half-decent day in that stretch. After that, it’s weak and small from 26th–27th August with strong cross-shore NE wind.

Bottom line: Thursday 13th August morning and Friday 14th August morning are your winners – clean, glassy, fun-sized, uncrowded. The big stuff later is for experts only and the wind will spoil it. There’s a big gap of poor surf from the 18th to the 22nd, so plan around it. Keep watching, though – things can turn.

Rusty.

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