Surf Forecasts:
North Beach surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, SSW swell with 1,922 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 9s 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 17s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 5s is also forecast. 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 3.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) 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 1.5m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for North Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let’s talk about North Beach over the next couple of weeks.
We’re starting off dry. The first chance of anything rideable is Thursday the 20th of August, but it’s marginal. The early part of the week is all choppy, cross-shore junk.
Thursday morning the 20th looks like a possible early window. The wind is cross-off from the southwest at 25 km/h, cleaning up the surface. We’ve got a 6ft swell from the south, short period of 8 seconds, so it’s a bit weak, but the wave energy is moderate (617). It might produce some punchy peaks, but keep an eye on the tide.
The standout session is Saturday the 22nd of August, in the morning. Clear sky, cross-off wind from the north-northwest at 15 km/h – glassy. Swell is 5ft from the northeast, short period of 7 seconds, and energy reading 476. Not a big swell, but with clean conditions and a fairly consistent break, this is the best you’ll see. You might have some company, as crowds are sometimes a thing around here.
We shuffle through a few marginal days until Monday the 24th of August afternoon. This one’s interesting – the wind goes glassy light east at 5 km/h. The swell is 3ft from the south with a 12-second period, which will give it some shape. Moderate energy (348). That flat surface will make it feel like a whole different spot. Worth a late session.
Looking ahead, Saturday the 29th of August morning is the other one to circle. Clean again, cross-off wind south-southwest at 15 km/h. Swell is 4ft from the south-southeast with a 14-second period and moderate-strong energy (668). That’s a nice groundswell, but at a beach break, that long period can make waves a bit straight. For experienced surfers, that’s the best of the second week.
The end of the month and early September get rough. Strong onshore winds, messy conditions. Even when the swell hits 8ft on September 1st, the onshore wind ruins it. That’s only for the brave, and it’s not going to be pretty.
So, best bet: Saturday morning the 22nd of August for clean fun, with a solid backup on the glassy Monday afternoon the 24th.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Wed morning, min 17°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, strong winds from the SSW by Wed night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Sat morning, min 15°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Sat afternoon, light winds from the NNW by Sun night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | S 8 | SSW 8 | S 16 | S 13 | SSW 12 | S 11 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | SSW 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 12 | S 13 | S 12 | S 16 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 164 | 159 | 117 | 116 | 322 | 500 | 459 | 1107 | 521 | 252 | 116 | 244 | 74 | 1922 | 546 | 514 | 681 | 488 | 217 | 251 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | on | glassy | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:58PM1.71m | 7:05AM1.52m | 7:27PM1.56m | 7:37AM1.37m | 8:04PM1.40m | 8:28AM1.22m | 9:28PM1.25m | 12:11PM1.16m | 00:48AM1.27m | 1:47PM1.32m | 1:52AM1.40m | 2:22PM1.50m | 2:28AM1.55m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:08AM0.59m | 1:09PM0.61m | 1:41AM0.74m | 1:39PM0.78m | 2:29AM0.89m | 2:31PM0.94m | 5:06AM0.97m | 6:20PM1.00m | 7:26AM0.86m | 7:49PM0.85m | 8:07AM0.70m | 8:27PM0.69m | ||||||||
 |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — |
 | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 32 | 23 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 17 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 21 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 29 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 7 | E 9 | S 8 | S 16 | S 13 | SSW 12 | S 11 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 12 | S 13 | S 12 | S 16 |
| kJ | 164 | 159 | 117 | 89 | 127 | 37 | 289 | 1107 | 521 | 252 | 116 | 140 | 74 | 1013 | 546 | 514 | 681 | 488 | 217 | 251 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SSE 5 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | E 8 | SSW 14 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | — | S 9 | SSW 15 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 15 | S 10 |
| kJ | 11 | 26 | 85 | 116 | 127 | 73 | 34 | 21 | 21 | 21 | — | 25 | 45 | 21 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 115 | 92 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 11 | SW 17 | SE 5 | — | — | NE 7 | SSW 14 | — | — | — | — | SSW 14 | — | S 15 | — | — | — | — | E 9 | ENE 5 |
| kJ | 11 | 11 | 6 | — | — | 7 | 62 | — | — | — | — | 67 | — | 17 | — | — | — | — | 14 | 10 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 6 | — | — | ENE 4 | SSW 15 | S 8 | SSW 8 | — | — | ENE 4 | ENE 6 | NE 7 | S 5 | SSW 10 | — | — | — | NE 9 | NE 3 | — |
| kJ | 83 | — | — | 16 | 322 | 500 | 459 | — | — | 12 | 68 | 244 | 110 | 1922 | — | — | — | 22 | 2 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 155 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 153 | 405 | 285 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 209 | 1 | 330 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 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 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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