Mapelane Surf Forecast and Surf Reports

(KwaZulu-Natal North Coast, South Africa)

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Mapelane Surf Guide

Mapelane in Kwazulu-Natal is an exposed point break that has inconsistent surf. Summer offers the favoured conditions for surfing. Works best in offshore winds from the west southwest. Groundswells and windswells are equally likely and the ideal swell direction is from the southeast.. Rarely crowded here. Watch out for sharks and rocks.

Mapelane Spot Info

Type:	Rating:	Reliability:	Todays Sea Temp*:
Point	3	inconsistent	25.7°C*ocean temperature recorded from satellite

Surfing Mapelane:

The best conditions reported for surf at Mapelane occur when a Southeast swell combines with an offshore wind direction from the West-southwest.

Hourly Forecast

16 Day Forecast

What's the best time of year to surf Mapelane (for consistent clean waves)?

aprilBest Season: autumn

The best time of year for surfing Mapelane with consistent clean waves (rideable swell with light / offshore winds) is during Autumn and most often the month of April. Clean surfable waves are typically found 29% of the time in April while 49% of the time it tends to be blown out. For the remaining 22% of the time it is considered too small by most surfers but may still be OK for beginners and groms at times.

clean

29%

Surfable waves that hold up well for longer rides in prevailing cross-offshore, offshore or light wind conditions.

blown out

49%

Surfable sized waves that are of poorer quality due to prevailing onshore, cross-onshore or windy conditions (may be preferable for kitesurfing).

too small

22%

Waves usually considered too small for good surf. Some wave-magnet breaks may still work though if conditions are right (on occasion).

Explore Mapelane Location Map

Interactive Mapelane surf break location map. View information about nearby surf breaks, their wave consistency and rating compared to other spots in the region. Current swell conditions from local buoys are shown along with live wind speed and direction from nearby weather stations. Click icons on the map for more detail. The closest passenger airport to Mapelane is Richards Bay (Richard's Bay) Airport (RCB) in South Africa, which is 50 km (31 miles) away (directly). The second nearest airport to Mapelane is Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi (Ulundi) Airport (ULD), also in South Africa, 99 km (61 miles) away.

Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)

Please note that some surf spot locations are approximate to protect their exact location while others are not shown at close zoom level.

Mapelane Surf Forecasts:

Hourly Forecast

16 Day Forecast

Todays Surf Summary
Monday, 4 May 2026, 15:37 Local Time

m, °C	Monday 04
ft, °F	11AM	2PM	5PM	8PM
Wave (m)	S	NE	NE	NE
Period (s)	11	6	6	7
Wind (km/h)
Wind State	cross- on	cross- on	cross- on	cross- on

Tides at Mapelane

Current tide and informaton

For Mapelane, 0 km from Mapelane.

Next High Water: 05:01pm | 1.79m

Next Low Water: 11:04pm | 0.27m

NEXT	IS AT (local time)	remaining
high tide
low tide

Mapelane Sea Temperature

Sunny with very warm air temperatures, feeling like 27.0 °C once we account for any wind. Sea temperatures (25.7 °C) very warm too. Staying comfortable in the water at Mapelane won't be a problem, but wear at least a rash-vest to keep the UV off.

Today, many surfers would wear a rashvest wetsuit.

Current Temp*: 25.7°C*ocean temperature recorded from satellite