Surf Forecasts:
Dairy Beach (New Pier) surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 26 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 17s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 17s period, S swell with 3,425 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 10s period with S 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 9s. 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 2.4m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 17s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 5PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Dairy Beach (New Pier) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming for Dairy Beach (New Pier) over the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a rollercoaster, but a few sessions are worth paddling out for.
The first real session kicks off on Sunday afternoon, August 23rd. We’ve got a 7ft south swell, period of 10 seconds, with a moderate energy (777). The breeze is a cross-off from the SSE at 15 km/h, so the surface will be clean. The water’s at 70°, which is about normal for the season. This is a solid, fun day for an intermediate surfer, and the break is consistent, so you’ll get waves. Expect crowds to be likely.
From there, it goes quiet. Monday and Tuesday are a no-go with onshore winds and tiny swell. Tuesday afternoon, there’s a 2ft south swell with a very long period of 18 seconds. The energy is moderate (366). The wind is a cross-off, so it’ll be clean, but it’s small. That long period might give you a few fun walls, but it’s not a standout.
The absolute standout is Wednesday, August 26th, in the afternoon. This is the session to aim for. We’ve got a 5ft south swell with a 17-second period, packing strong energy (1553). The wind is offshore from the SSW at 15 km/h, so it’s going to be glassy and clean. This is for experienced surfers only—the swell’s over 5ft, so it’s too big for beginners. The long period will make the waves shape up nicely, though it might break a little straight on the beach. Look for the rip bowls.
From Thursday, August 27th, through the end of the first week, it’s a mess. Strong onshore northeasterlies and building swell up to 12ft mean the beach is blown out. The energy is strong (over 1000), but the wind is howling onshore. This is more of a kite-surfing setup than a paddle session.
The second week starts to show some life. On Monday, August 31st, the afternoon brings a 6ft south swell with a 9-second period, and a cross-off breeze from the SE. The energy is moderate (673), and the conditions are clean. It’s a fun, surfable day.
And then on September 7th, Monday morning and afternoon, we get another good one. A 5ft south swell with a 13-second period, light offshore winds in the morning, and a light cross-off in the afternoon. The energy is solid (879 and 865). This is another excellent session for experienced surfers, with clean, lined-up waves. It’s a bit of a wait, but it’s worth it.
Overall, there’s a big gap of poor surf from Thursday, August 27th, right through to the end of the month, with a few windows in between. The best is Wednesday afternoon, August 26th, and the early part of the second week. Keep your eyes on the 26th—that’s a beauty.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sun afternoon, min 16°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 24°C on Fri afternoon, min 17°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Wed night, strong winds from the NE by Thu afternoon). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | S 18 | SE 9 | S 17 | S 17 | S 17 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
771 | 432 | 165 | 106 | 90 | 48 | 304 | 13 | 297 | 1543 | 3418 | 1403 | 794 | 653 | 590 | 870 | 741 | 723 | 1287 | 996 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 1:52AM1.40m | 2:22PM1.50m | 2:28AM1.55m | 2:50PM1.67m | 2:57AM1.68m | 3:17PM1.82m | 3:25AM1.80m | 3:43PM1.94m | 3:52AM1.89m | 4:09PM2.04m | 4:18AM1.95m | 4:36PM2.08m | 4:45AM1.97m | |||||||
Low Tide | 7:49PM0.85m | 8:07AM0.70m | 8:27PM0.69m | 8:37AM0.55m | 8:57PM0.54m | 9:04AM0.41m | 9:24PM0.40m | 9:31AM0.28m | 9:51PM0.30m | 9:57AM0.19m | 10:18PM0.22m | 10:23AM0.13m | 10:45PM0.19m | |||||||
— | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | |
5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 23 | 24 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 20 |
Feels °C | 16 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | S 17 | S 17 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 |
771 | 432 | 165 | 106 | 90 | 421 | 297 | 677 | 308 | 1543 | 3418 | 1403 | 794 | 653 | 374 | 353 | 287 | 290 | 180 | 65 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | ENE 4 | SSE 8 | S 18 | SE 9 | S 17 | E 8 | SE 12 | — | S 17 | S 16 | S 16 | S 16 | S 15 | SW 11 | — | SW 10 |
6 | 6 | 133 | 82 | 12 | 48 | 304 | 13 | 297 | 6 | 6 | — | 278 | 132 | 125 | 129 | 119 | 31 | — | 4 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | S 17 | NE 5 | SSE 9 | ENE 5 | SE 10 | SE 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 14 | 6 | 6 | 146 | 6 | 62 | 2 | 15 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | E 4 | NE 5 | — | — | SSW 4 | — | — | — | ENE 5 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
— | — | — | 6 | 21 | — | — | 13 | — | — | — | 102 | 446 | 640 | 590 | 870 | 741 | 723 | 1287 | 996 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 26 | 0 | 4 | 695 | 695 | 222 | 554 | 476 | 218 | 423 | 683 | 354 |
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.











