Surf Forecasts:
North Beach surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, NE swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, NE swell with 1,697 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period with NE 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 Saturday (Aug 29) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 2.5m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 12s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at North Beach in the next 16 days are 3.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for North Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, folk. Rusty here. Let's have a proper look at what's comin' down the line for North Beach.
First off, we've got a bit of a rough start. The wind is gonna be howlin' from the northeast for the next few days, makin' conditions pretty lumpy and messy. It's not going to be a pretty sight out there, with poor surf conditions on the cards. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, so nothin' to write home about there.
That first real chance to get out is lookin' like Tuesday the 1st of September. That mornin', the wind goes glassy – just a slight air – and we get a clean, small swell. We're talkin' 4ft from the east, but it's short-period stuff at around 9 seconds. The combined energy is weak, so it's not gonna set the world on fire, but it'll be clean and user-friendly for a paddle.
Then, we have to wait a bit. Thursday the 3rd of September is the real standout of this whole forecast. A long-period groundswell rolls in from the south-southwest with a period of 15 seconds – that's proper energy right there. The swell is small, only 3ft in the mornin' droppin' to 2ft in the afternoon, but it's combin' with a clean, cross-offshore wind that is almost glassy. The combined energy is moderate, and the forecast says "expect very good surf conditions." This is a classic example of quality over quantity – clean, lined-up waves from a deepwater swell. Just remember, with that long period, it might be a bit straight for a beach break, so keep your eyes peeled for a more defined bank.
Now, hold onto your boardies for Friday the 4th of September. A massive 15ft swell from the southeast shows up in the mornin', with a period of 12 seconds and a combined energy in the thousands – that is serious power. The wind will be light and cross-shore. But here's the rub: the forecast is clear – it's simply too big for this break. The swell is over 8ft, which puts it firmly in the expert-only zone, and even then, the predictions say the size is a problem. The afternoon turns ugly with strong onshore winds, so that session is out.
After that huge pulse, we get a cleaner window on Sunday the 6th of September. There's another big 12ft swell, but again, at 10ft and 12ft for the day, it's still too big for North Beach. The mornin' has a gentle cross-onshore breeze, but the afternoon goes clean with a moderate cross-offshore wind and high combined energy. It'll look powerful, but it's still beyond the comfort zone for this spot.
The rest of the forecast into the second week is a mix of small, weak swells and poor winds. We get a couple of marginal days, but nothin' that screams "get in the car." There's a final pulse on Saturday the 12th of September, with a 10ft swell from the east-northeast and clean cross-offshore wind, but just like the ones before it, the forecast says it's too big for the break.
So, to sum it up: if you want clean fun, hit Tuesday the 1st for a glassy session. But if you're after quality, Thursday the 3rd of September is your day, with that beautiful, clean long-period groundswell. Be patient for that one.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sat afternoon, min 16°C on Fri morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NE on Sat afternoon, calm by Sun night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 22°C on Mon afternoon, min 18°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Mon night, calm by Wed night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 6 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | S 8 | SSW 18 | SSW 14 | E 9 | E 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
372 | 653 | 593 | 521 | 1014 | 784 | 359 | 322 | 246 | 203 | 221 | 164 | 158 | 148 | 381 | 140 | 496 | 326 | 165 | 203 | 78 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:09PM2.04m | 4:18AM1.95m | 4:36PM2.08m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:57AM0.19m | 10:18PM0.22m | 10:23AM0.13m | 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 | |||||||
6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | |
— | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:40 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | 1 | 7 |
Temp °C | 21 | 23 | 20 | 22 | 25 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 20 |
Feels °C | 16 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 13 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 23 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SSE 12 | S 12 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | SE 6 | SSE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | S 8 | S 7 | SSW 14 | ENE 6 |
371 | 292 | 184 | 256 | 187 | 784 | 359 | 322 | 246 | 203 | 221 | 164 | 91 | 29 | 225 | 140 | 87 | 159 | 47 | 145 | 48 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | SSE 16 | S 15 | SSW 11 | — | S 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | S 6 | SSE 6 | SSW 9 | SE 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 12 | — | SSW 14 | SSW 18 | SSW 14 | SSE 6 | E 8 |
46 | 86 | 161 | 12 | — | 101 | 41 | 24 | 84 | 34 | 15 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | — | 18 | 326 | 165 | 14 | 78 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | SW 10 | SE 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SW 12 | S 11 | S 14 | SW 14 | — | SSW 13 | ENE 8 | E 9 | — | SE 6 |
— | — | — | — | — | 4 | 8 | 18 | 28 | 24 | 11 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 8 | — | 116 | 70 | 61 | — | 25 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | — | SSW 6 | S 7 | S 6 | — | SSE 5 | SE 6 | E 9 | ENE 6 | NE 7 | SSW 5 | S 8 | — | ENE 3 | E 9 | — |
372 | 653 | 593 | 521 | 1014 | — | 160 | 124 | 141 | — | 21 | 89 | 158 | 148 | 381 | 84 | 496 | — | 8 | 203 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 433 | 476 | 353 | 409 | 439 | 0 | 155 | 154 | 0 | 5 | 54 | 48 | 555 | 740 | 0 | 405 | 740 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 51 |
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.











