Surf Forecasts:
North Beach surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 21 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 12s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 21 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 12s period, SE swell with 683 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 12s period with SE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for North Beach this week:
The surf forecast for North Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at North Beach in the next 16 days are 1.6m 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for North Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the menu for the next few weeks. We've got one spot on the radar, North Beach, so let's see if it's worth the paddle.
The first week is a bit of a write-off. We're looking at a long stretch of pretty average conditions, with the wind mostly messing things up. The swell is there, but it's not clean. Honestly, the best bet in the whole 16-day window is a bit of a surprise, and it's later on.
Tuesday the 21st kicks off with a 5ft SE swell with a 12-second period, generating moderate energy (598). The wind is cross-on, though, so it's a bit bumpy and not worth getting excited about. That pattern sticks with us through the week. The swell drops off by Thursday the 23rd to 3ft, and while the wind turns cross-off, it's pretty small. Friday the 24th sees a bit of a bump with a 7ft S swell, but it's a short 8-second period, and the wind is fresh and messy, so it's a pass.
We hit a real dry spell from Saturday the 25th all the way through the week, with the wind howling cross-on and the swell all over the place. Nothing to report.
Now, here's the standout. Wednesday the 29th is the day to circle on the calendar. The morning session is looking magical. We’ve got a 4ft ENE swell with an 8-second period, and the best part is the wind: glassy. That's right, hardly a breath of air. The combined energy is moderate (416), but the conditions will be smooth as glass. The break is a beach/pier setup, which can get a bit crumbly, but with zero wind, it's going to be as clean as it gets. This is the one to chase. The afternoon session switches to a tiny 2ft S swell, but with a very long 17-second period, and it's also glassy. That's a weird combo, but for the morning, get out there.
After that, the window closes again. From Thursday the 30th of July through to the end of the outlook on the 5th of August, it's back to strong cross-on winds and choppy, messy surf. The 4th of August has a small window of lighter wind, but the swell is weak. It's not going to save the week.
So, bottom line: the first two weeks are mostly a no-go. The one true standout is the morning of Wednesday the 29th of July at North Beach. Get the glassy conditions while they last.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Wed afternoon, min 16°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 22°C on Sun afternoon, min 15°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri night, fresh winds from the NE by Sun afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | NE 7 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SSW 6 | S 8 | S 8 | SSW 17 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | S 15 | SSW 13 | ENE 6 | NE 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 683 | 546 | 546 | 435 | 403 | 319 | 351 | 167 | 164 | 198 | 634 | 345 | 486 | 259 | 237 | 343 | 141 | 181 | 503 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 8:03AM1.46m | 8:36PM1.52m | 8:51AM1.33m | 9:34PM1.41m | 10:13AM1.23m | 11:07PM1.35m | 12:17PM1.23m | 00:47AM1.38m | 1:42PM1.33m | 1:52AM1.47m | 2:30PM1.47m | 2:37AM1.57m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:06AM0.65m | 2:09PM0.64m | 2:56AM0.77m | 2:58PM0.77m | 4:10AM0.86m | 4:18PM0.88m | 6:01AM0.86m | 6:17PM0.89m | 7:26AM0.78m | 7:39PM0.81m | 8:16AM0.66m | 8:30PM0.69m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | |  | | | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — |
 | 5:15 | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:19 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 22 | 19 |
Feels °C | 19 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | S 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | ENE 7 |
| kJ | 683 | 546 | 546 | 435 | 403 | 319 | 136 | 70 | 164 | 106 | 77 | 59 | 207 | 123 | 77 | 343 | 141 | 181 | 263 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | SW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SE 12 | SE 12 | S 6 | S 12 | E 10 | SSW 20 | SSW 17 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SE 10 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 57 | 37 | 91 | 138 | 218 | 141 | 236 | 167 | 30 | 106 | 2 | 76 | 486 | 259 | 237 | 14 | 21 | 5 | 49 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SSW 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | NE 6 | NE 7 | E 10 | SE 11 | S 19 | SE 10 | E 9 | SSW 9 | ESE 9 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 6 | 6 | 68 | 71 | 143 | 11 | 2 | 8 | 40 | 118 | 15 | 6 | 26 | 8 | 86 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NE 3 | ENE 4 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | NE 7 | SSW 5 | — | SSW 6 | S 8 | S 8 | — | — | NE 3 | ENE 4 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | NE 7 |
| kJ | — | — | 2 | 13 | 18 | 45 | 351 | 22 | — | 198 | 634 | 345 | — | — | 5 | 12 | 16 | 179 | 503 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 153 | 1 | 1 | 405 | 695 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 423 | 575 | 219 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Durban/KwaZulu-Natal South Coast | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the North Beach Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for North Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at North Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our North Beach 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 (North Beach) 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 North Beach 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 North Beach, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Durban/KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, consider staying in Durban which is 6 km (4 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.
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