Surf Forecasts:
North Beach surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 15 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 10s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 16s period, S swell with 1,092 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 15 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 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 Saturday (Aug 15) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 13s. 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 1.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sat 15th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sat 15th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Fri 21st Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for North Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let me break down what’s happening at North Beach for the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, it’s a tough start. The first week is mostly blown out with cross-onshore winds from the northeast, making a mess of things. The swell is small and short-period, with weak to moderate energy. The direction is east, which isn’t ideal for this spot. Not a lot to love.
Water temp is around 70°, which is normal for the time of year.
Tuesday the 18th offers a little glimmer. The wind goes cross-offshore from the south-southwest, cleaning it up. But the swell is only 3 to 4ft from the east with a 9-second period, and the energy is pretty low. It’s marginal. Worth a look if you’re keen, but don’t get your hopes up.
Things stay onshore and messy until Saturday the 22nd. That morning, with the same cross-offshore wind, we get a clean 3ft south swell with a long 16-second period. Energy hits 893 (moderate). That’s a nice groundswell, and with the wind good, it should be fun. A few people might be out, but nothing crazy.
The standout is Sunday the 23rd morning. Again, clean with cross-offshore wind, but the swell jumps to 8ft from the south-southwest with an 11-second period. Energy is a massive 1800 (strong wave energy). That’s powerful stuff. Only for experienced surfers – too big for the beginners. The wind is offshore, so the waves should be clean and lined up.
After that, the following week is mostly messy onshore again, with a few clean but tiny days. The 30th has a small, long-period south-southeast swell at just over 2ft, but it’s only marginal.
Bottom line: your best bets are Saturday the 22nd morning for a clean, long-period ride, and Sunday the 23rd morning for the big, powerful stuff. Everything else is pretty average.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Mon afternoon, min 16°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Wed afternoon, min 18°C on Wed morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Thu morning, calm by Fri morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | ||||||||||||||
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 10 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | ENE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | S 6 | SSW 15 | S 16 | S 14 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 432 | 496 | 526 | 695 | 683 | 734 | 440 | 349 | 241 | 192 | 155 | 115 | 94 | 105 | 186 | 65 | 137 | 316 | 1092 | 372 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 5:30PM2.06m | 5:41AM1.91m | 6:00PM1.97m | 6:10AM1.80m | 6:29PM1.85m | 6:38AM1.67m | 6:58PM1.71m | 7:05AM1.52m | 7:27PM1.56m | 7:37AM1.37m | 8:04PM1.40m | 8:28AM1.22m | 9:28PM1.25m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:39PM0.23m | 11:47AM0.20m | 00:10AM0.33m | 12:15PM0.32m | 00:39AM0.45m | 12:42PM0.46m | 1:08AM0.59m | 1:09PM0.61m | 1:41AM0.74m | 1:39PM0.78m | 2:29AM0.89m | 2:31PM0.94m | ||||||||
 |  | | | | | | | |  |  | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — |
 | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:34 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 17 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 22 | 17 | 17 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | SSW 15 | SSE 7 | S 16 | S 14 |
| kJ | 432 | 496 | 526 | 695 | 683 | 524 | 440 | 349 | 241 | 192 | 155 | 115 | 86 | 105 | 78 | 46 | 130 | 75 | 1092 | 372 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | S 9 | SW 12 | SSW 16 | S 4 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | E 8 | SSW 15 | E 8 | — |
| kJ | 15 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 26 | 5 | 42 | 94 | 79 | 186 | 65 | 31 | 316 | 21 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | S 8 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 15 | S 12 | S 11 | S 17 | S 18 | S 11 | SW 16 | S 4 | — | SSW 10 | E 8 | SSW 16 | NE 6 | E 8 | — | — |
| kJ | 15 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 11 | 3 | — | 18 | 46 | 48 | 2 | 20 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | ENE 5 | NNE 5 | ENE 10 | — | — | SSW 3 | S 4 | — | — | ENE 3 | — | SSW 4 | S 5 | S 6 | — | ENE 3 | ENE 6 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 44 | 42 | 734 | — | — | 3 | 10 | — | — | 4 | — | 16 | 109 | 137 | — | 6 | 84 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 5 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 155 | 155 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 330 | 684 | 26 | 5 | 894 | 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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