Surf Forecasts:
North Beach surf forecast from 30 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, S swell with 2,548 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 10s period with E 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 Sunday (Aug 30) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 7s. 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 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 03) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sun 30th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for North Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what North Beach has in store for us over the next couple of weeks.
Right from the start, it’s a bit of a tough stretch. The first week is mostly a write-off – small, messy, and plagued by iffy winds. The water temp is about average for this time of year.
We kick off on Sunday the 30th. There’s a 5 ft swell from the ENE with a short 9-second period, but a stiff 19 mph cross-off wind keeps things clean, even if the energy is only moderate (723). It's a "marginal" call at best. Sunday afternoon is similar but drops a touch in size to 4 ft.
Monday the 31st is a real struggle. A 4 ft wave with onshore wind. Not worth paddling for. The trend continues into Tuesday with a brief moment of glassy conditions on Tuesday afternoon – 4 ft from the east but with a tiny 6-second period and weak energy (186). It’s surfable but ordinary.
Wednesday morning (September 2nd) sees a jump to 5 ft from the SSW with a short 6-second period, cross-off wind keeping it clean, but the energy is only moderate (408). Still, a lack of quality holds it back. By Thursday and Friday, the wind goes onshore again and it’s messy.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. On Friday, September 4th , the swell jumps to a solid 12 ft from the S/SW with a 10-second period. That’s a lot of water moving – the combined energy is a massive 2651, which is very strong. But here’s the kicker: the guidance says it’s predicted to be too big for this exposed beach/pier break. That’s expert-only territory, so stay safe.
We then drop back into smaller, choppier conditions through the weekend of September 5th-6th. Saturday has 6 ft from the SE, but cross-on wind kills it.
The second week from September 7th onward is pretty bleak. Winds are strong, mostly onshore or cross-on, and the swell is a mix of short-period junk. There’s a glimmer on Thursday, September 10th with 8 ft from the ENE (7 seconds) but it's straight onshore. Not great.
The standout – if you can call it that – is the Friday, September 11th morning. You’ve got 8 ft from the ENE (8 seconds) with a light cross-on breeze. The energy is strong (1454) and it’s the best-looking wave of the whole run. The wind is light enough that it could be fun for intermediate to advanced surfers, but the short period means it won’t have much shape. Expect a bit of a closeout on the beach.
Honestly, the only true highlight worth getting wet for is that Friday September 11th session. The early part of the forecast is plagued by poor conditions, and the huge Friday the 4th is only for the brave. Crowds will be a factor here at North Beach – it gets busy – so pick your window if it cleans up.
This is Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 23°C on Tue afternoon, min 18°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NE on Sat night, calm by Sun night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 30°C on Thu afternoon, min 18°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, near gales from the SSW by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 9 | S 8 | ENE 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 6 | E 7 | SSW 6 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | ENE 8 | S 8 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
767 | 352 | 335 | 212 | 207 | 262 | 239 | 230 | 104 | 187 | 198 | 216 | 259 | 118 | 186 | 898 | 2548 | 2294 | 924 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross |
High Tide | 4:45AM1.97m | 5:04PM2.09m | 5:13AM1.95m | 5:32PM2.04m | 5:42AM1.88m | 6:03PM1.95m | 6:14AM1.78m | 6:36PM1.81m | 6:50AM1.63m | 7:14PM1.63m | 7:38AM1.45m | 8:11PM1.44m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:45PM0.19m | 10:51AM0.12m | 11:13PM0.20m | 11:19AM0.15m | 11:42PM0.26m | 11:48AM0.23m | 00:13AM0.35m | 12:20PM0.36m | 00:47AM0.49m | 12:57PM0.54m | 1:31AM0.65m | 1:46PM0.74m | 2:44AM0.82m | ||||||
— | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | |
5:38 | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 2 | 1 |
Temp °C | 21 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 28 | 30 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 15 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 25 | 26 | 13 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | S 7 | E 9 | E 7 | ENE 9 | E 9 | SSW 16 | E 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | E 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 |
767 | 352 | 335 | 212 | 207 | 262 | 239 | 4 | 74 | 187 | 126 | 76 | 259 | 40 | 186 | 113 | 47 | 1931 | 924 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 6 | SE 6 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | S 10 | S 7 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 17 | S 6 | SSW 14 | — | — | SSW 17 | ENE 10 | E 11 |
71 | 42 | 23 | 66 | 36 | 26 | 12 | 2 | 4 | 36 | 84 | 216 | 35 | 118 | — | — | 27 | 32 | 20 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 10 | — | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSW 10 | SSE 11 | SE 10 | SW 11 | S 15 | S 7 | — | NE 7 | E 9 | S 6 | — | — | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 |
4 | — | 17 | 28 | 30 | 11 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | — | 7 | 54 | 10 | — | — | 29 | 25 | 41 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 8 | S 8 | SE 6 | SE 5 | SE 5 | — | E 9 | E 6 | ENE 6 | SSW 6 | S 6 | — | NE 4 | S 5 | S 8 | S 10 | SSE 10 | — |
— | 329 | 248 | 30 | 32 | 20 | — | 230 | 104 | 160 | 198 | 132 | — | 20 | 164 | 898 | 2548 | 2294 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 18 | 330 | 405 | 0 | 5 | 48 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 155 | 155 | 2 | 238 | 2 | 54 | 54 | 2611 | 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 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.











