Surf Forecasts:
Dairy Beach (New Pier) surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 16s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 16s period, S swell with 2,002 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 9s period with E swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Dairy Beach (New Pier) this week:
The surf forecast for Dairy Beach (New Pier) over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 9s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Dairy Beach (New Pier) in the next 16 days are 2.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) 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 2.5m 7s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Dairy Beach (New Pier) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let’s talk about what’s cooking at Dairy Beach (New Pier) over the next couple of weeks.
Look, I’m gonna be straight with you – the first week and a half is a pretty tough slog. We’ve got a long stretch of marginal to poor conditions, with a lot of onshore wind and small, weak swell. The water’s sitting at 70°, which is about average for this time of year, nothing to get excited about. There’s a real gap in quality surf from now until the end of August.
Monday the 17th and Tuesday the 18th have some east swell around 3ft to 6ft, but it’s short period (8-10 seconds) and the wind is all wrong – onshore or cross-off. The combined energy is weak to moderate (between 162 and 597), and the conditions are just poor. It’s not worth paddling out.
Wednesday the 19th stays small and onshore, with swell dropping to 3ft. Thursday the 20th afternoon sees a bit of a bump with a 6ft south swell, but the energy is only moderate (541) and it’s flagged as marginal. Not your best bet.
Friday the 21st brings a bigger south groundswell – 5ft with a 14-second period and strong energy (1002) – but again, the wind is onshore from the NE. It’s a frustrating tease. That pattern of onshore wind and small, messy swell continues right through until the end of the month.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Sunday the 30th of August, look out. The afternoon brings a solid 10ft south swell with a 9-second period. The combined energy is strong at 1830. The wind is a light cross-off from the SSE, keeping things clean. This is a standout for experienced surfers only – it’ll be too big for beginners. The break is a beach/pier setup, so it might handle the size okay.
But the real highlight – the one you’ve been waiting for – is Monday the 31st of August morning. We’ve got a 10ft south swell with a 13-second period, and the wind is offshore from the SSW at 22 mph. That’s clean, powerful, and the combined energy is pumping at 2900. This is proper groundswell, and it’s going to be epic for the crew who can handle it. The offshore wind will groom it beautifully. That afternoon, the wind swings cross-off, but the swell holds.
Then Tuesday the 1st of September morning is another cracker: 7ft south swell, 16-second period – that’s some serious long-period groundswell – and the combined energy is 2398. The wind is light and cross-off, so it’s glassy and clean. That long period might make it a bit walled at a beach break, but for the experienced guys, it’s going to be a session to remember. The afternoon gets ruined by onshore wind again.
So, bottom line: the first week and a half is a write-off. Don’t bother. But mark your calendar for Sunday the 30th of August onwards, especially Monday the 31st morning and Tuesday the 1st of September morning. That’s where the magic is. It’s a long-range forecast, so keep an eye on it, but it’s looking promising.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Mon afternoon, min 17°C on Mon morning). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, strong winds from the SSW by Wed night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Fri afternoon, min 17°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, fresh winds from the SSW by Sat afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 7 | E 9 | S 8 | S 16 | S 14 | S 13 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | S 8 | S 8 | S 9 | S 14 | S 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
520 | 563 | 470 | 241 | 162 | 155 | 115 | 89 | 132 | 37 | 517 | 1787 | 971 | 408 | 172 | 31 | 538 | 355 | 185 | 715 | 826 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | on | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | on | on | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 6:29PM1.85m | 6:38AM1.67m | 6:58PM1.71m | 7:05AM1.52m | 7:27PM1.56m | 7:37AM1.37m | 8:04PM1.40m | 8:28AM1.22m | 9:28PM1.25m | 12:11PM1.16m | 00:48AM1.27m | 1:47PM1.32m | 1:52AM1.40m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:15PM0.32m | 00:39AM0.45m | 12:42PM0.46m | 1:08AM0.59m | 1:09PM0.61m | 1:41AM0.74m | 1:39PM0.78m | 2:29AM0.89m | 2:31PM0.94m | 5:06AM0.97m | 6:20PM1.00m | 7:26AM0.86m | 7:49PM0.85m | ||||||||
6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | |
— | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 |
Feels °C | 17 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 22 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | SE 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 7 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 16 | S 14 | S 13 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | SSW 14 | S 8 | S 9 | S 14 | S 16 |
520 | 4 | 470 | 241 | 162 | 155 | 115 | 89 | 132 | 105 | 63 | 1787 | 971 | 408 | 172 | 31 | 104 | 228 | 185 | 715 | 826 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | SW 11 | S 16 | S 18 | SW 16 | S 5 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | NE 7 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | — | S 11 | — | ENE 7 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 |
10 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 22 | 84 | 116 | 84 | 37 | 22 | 21 | 21 | — | 160 | — | 11 | 65 | 213 | 16 | 25 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 16 | S 9 | — | SW 11 | SSW 16 | SE 4 | — | — | NE 7 | NE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | — | — |
6 | 10 | 2 | — | 5 | 26 | 5 | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 14 | 15 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 5 | E 10 | NNE 5 | SSW 5 | S 6 | S 5 | — | ENE 5 | SSW 15 | SSW 8 | S 8 | — | NE 3 | ENE 6 | — | SSW 7 | S 8 | S 8 | — | — | — |
67 | 563 | 48 | 122 | 92 | 31 | — | 48 | 696 | 851 | 517 | — | 10 | 188 | — | 475 | 538 | 355 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 4 | 4 | 1 | 155 | 138 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 153 | 329 | 285 | 0 | 334 | 4 | 0 | 354 | 329 | 0 | 155 | 4 | 1 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Durban/KwaZulu-Natal South Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Dairy Beach (New Pier) Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Dairy Beach (New Pier) provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Dairy Beach (New Pier) can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Dairy Beach (New Pier) 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 (Dairy Beach (New Pier)) 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 Dairy Beach (New Pier) 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 Durban/KwaZulu-Natal South Coast? If you are looking for accommodation near Dairy Beach (New Pier), camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Durban/KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, consider staying in Durban which is 5 km (3 miles) away. Other places in and around Durban/KwaZulu-Natal South Coast where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Glenwood which is 6 km (4 miles) away, Kwamashu, Umhlanga and Mount Edgecombe.











