
Surf Forecasts:
Dairy Beach (New Pier) surf forecast from 11 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 8s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 14 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 9s period, ENE swell with 2,592 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 11 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 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 Friday (Sep 11) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 5s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Dairy Beach (New Pier) in the next 16 days are 4.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 14) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 7s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 17) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Fri 11th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 5PM (Thu 17th Sep) | 6ft (1.9m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Mon 14th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Dairy Beach (New Pier) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Dairy Beach (New Pier) . It’s a beach and pier setup, fairly exposed to the east, so it picks up that swell nicely when the direction lines up. Water temp is sitting at 68°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year—just over a degree and a half below average, so you’ll want a decent wetsuit.
The forecast kicks off from Friday 11th September, but honestly, the first week is a write-off for quality surfing. Friday afternoon has some chest-to-shoulder high swell at 4ft from the east, period around 9 seconds, and combined wave energy of 217—moderate. But the cross-off southerly wind is spoiling it, and the conditions are rated as poor. Saturday and Sunday stay similar: small, onshore or cross-on winds, and the swell gets messy. By Sunday morning, the swell bumps up to 4ft from the east-northeast, with energy jumping to 514, but the wind is cross-onshore and the surf is still poor.
Monday 14th September is a big one, but not in a good way for paddling. Swell hits 10ft in the morning, climbing to 13ft by afternoon, both from the east-northeast, with energy readings of 1216 and 2592—that’s strong to very strong. That’s far too big for anyone but the most seasoned experts, and with a strong breeze to near-gale onshore wind, it’s blown out and dangerous. Honestly, this setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
Tuesday 15th September gives a small window of possible improvement. Morning sees 6ft from the east, period 9 seconds, energy 617, but the wind is light cross-onshore, making for only marginal conditions. The afternoon is similar, but still poor. Wednesday continues the same story: 6ft to 6ft east swell, light cross-onshore winds, and only marginal surf at best. Nothing to get excited about.
Now, we finally get a shift. Thursday 17th September is where things start to look decent. The swell swings around to the south, 8ft in the morning with a period of 8 seconds and energy of 1289, but it’s the wind that changes everything—strong offshore south-southwest at 25 mph. That’s clean, though hard to paddle into. By Thursday afternoon, the swell drops to 6ft, still from the south, period 8 seconds, energy 692, and the offshore wind eases to a moderate 16 mph. The conditions are rated as very good. This is the standout of the whole outlook. Dairy Beach will be offering clean, lined-up waves, best for intermediate and above. The south swell direction is right on the money for this break’s optimum.
Friday 18th September keeps the goods coming. Morning sees 7ft from the south-southeast, period 9 seconds, energy 754, with a light cross-off southerly breeze making it clean. Afternoon holds at 7ft, same direction, energy 769, and moderate cross-off wind. Still very surfable, though not quite as crisp as Thursday. Crowds can be likely here, so get in early.
From Saturday 19th September onward, the swell eases back. Saturday morning has 4ft, cross-off wind, but the energy drops to 285, and conditions are poor again. Sunday and Monday offer small, weak swell around 3ft to 4ft with periods dropping to 6-8 seconds, and the energy is low. Not worth paddling out for unless you’re desperate.
The second week, from 22nd September through to 26th September, is a mixed bag. Tuesday 22nd has onshore winds and 6ft to 7ft east-northeast swell, but it’s onshore and poor. Wednesday 23rd morning is marginal with 7ft from the northeast, cross-off wind, but energy is moderate at 673. Thursday 24th has a brief offshore window Thursday morning with 3ft from the east, but it’s tiny. The rest of the week fades to small, weak surf with onshore or cross-on winds.
Overall, if you want the best of the bunch, Thursday 17th September afternoon and Friday 18th September are your windows. Clean, solid south swell with offshore to cross-off winds, and the wave energy is solid. Before that, it’s mostly a mess or too big. After, it fades away. Get on it while it’s good.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Mon morning, min 19°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri night, strong winds from the NE by Mon morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Warm (max 23°C on Mon afternoon, min 18°C on Tue morning). Winds decreasing (near gales from the NE on Mon afternoon, light winds from the ENE by Tue morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | ||||||||||||||
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 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 6 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | S 8 | S 8 | S 9 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
212 | 160 | 122 | 94 | 248 | 260 | 139 | 525 | 1155 | 2592 | 826 | 614 | 625 | 625 | 586 | 653 | 426 | 1055 | 453 | 635 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 4:00PM2.12m | 4:13AM2.02m | 4:29PM2.13m | 4:41AM2.00m | 4:56PM2.09m | 5:08AM1.93m | 5:23PM2.00m | 5:34AM1.83m | 5:48PM1.88m | 5:58AM1.71m | 6:12PM1.73m | 6:23AM1.56m | 6:36PM1.57m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:10PM0.14m | 10:17AM0.09m | 10:38PM0.14m | 10:45AM0.13m | 11:06PM0.19m | 11:12AM0.20m | 11:32PM0.29m | 11:37AM0.32m | 11:58PM0.41m | 12:00PM0.46m | 00:22AM0.55m | 12:24PM0.62m | 00:49AM0.70m | |||||||
— | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | |
5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
Temp °C | 22 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 18 | 17 | 18 |
Feels °C | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 14 | 14 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 12 | 11 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | S 16 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | S 9 |
212 | 160 | 122 | 94 | 160 | 169 | 315 | 196 | 81 | 122 | 826 | 614 | 625 | 625 | 586 | 653 | 426 | 234 | 239 | 465 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | S 5 | S 6 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 8 | E 9 | SSE 8 | S 18 | — | E 9 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 13 | — | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | E 10 |
81 | 12 | 9 | 68 | 86 | 85 | 74 | 40 | 54 | — | 490 | 49 | 27 | 23 | 10 | 32 | — | 21 | 18 | 154 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 19 | SSE 8 | S 10 | S 9 | — | SSW 14 | S 4 | — | S 17 | SSW 15 | S 17 | — | — | — | SSW 13 |
5 | 37 | 29 | 29 | 24 | 277 | 50 | 17 | 7 | — | 161 | 3 | — | 6 | 21 | 5 | — | — | — | 17 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 6 | — | — | E 4 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 6 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | SSW 14 | — | — | — | — | ENE 6 | SSW 5 | S 8 | S 8 | S 9 |
49 | — | — | 7 | 248 | 260 | 139 | 525 | 1155 | 2592 | 63 | — | — | — | — | 159 | 205 | 1055 | 453 | 635 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 155 | 0 | 4 | 856 | 0 | 1230 | 4 | 4 | 695 | 438 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 404 | 266 | 0 | 0 |
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.










