Surf Forecasts:
North Beach surf forecast from 30 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 3 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 11s period, S swell with 6,042 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 11PM (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 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 6s. 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 5.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.3m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 03) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sun 30th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 16ft (5.0m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for North Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, looking at what we've got lined up over the next couple of weeks.
We're starting off quiet, real quiet. The first few days are a bit of a dud. From Sunday the 30th through to Thursday the 3rd of September, it’s mostly small, messy, and cross-onshore. The swell energy is weak to moderate at best, and the wind just keeps ruining the shape. Honestly, it’s more of a beach day than a surf day, so you can leave the board at home.
The real action, and the standout of this entire forecast, hits us on Friday the 4th of September. North Beach is firing, but this one is for experienced surfers only. We’re looking at a solid 16ft swell thumping in from the S. That’s a boatload of energy – a massive 5553 reading – and the wind is set to be a clean cross-offshore. It’s a beast of a day. If you’ve got the skill and the big-wave board, this is your window. The water temp is sitting at 70°F which is bang on average for this time of year. Because of the size, the crowds might be a bit thinner, as only the brave will be out there. Just remember, this isn't one for beginners.
Saturday the 5th hangs in there with a still hefty 10ft SSE swell, but the wind turns more cross and cross-on, making it choppier. It’s still big, but less clean than Friday. By Sunday the 6th, a strong NE wind messes up a long-period S swell, making it choppy and lumpy, so give it a miss.
Monday the 7th of September brings a bit of hope back. The morning is messy, but looking at the afternoon, we get a clean 7ft swell from the E with a sweet cross-offshore wind. The wave energy (1066) is solid, and the conditions will be excellent for experienced surfers. This is your second-best call if you missed Friday.
After that, the forecast gets a bit shaky. There’s a window from the 8th to the 11th that looks marginal or poor due to strong winds or onshore slop, though the 10th Thursday afternoon has some small, ridable waves with light winds. Then Saturday the 12th of September serves up another big 10ft swell, this time from the SSW, but the wind is tricky – off in the morning but onshore in the afternoon. It’s another one for the experienced crew only.
The rest of the run into the second week gets blown out or drops off in size. The 13th and 14th are a write-off with strong winds. So, to wrap it up: Friday the 4th is the big one to circle on your calendar if you’re up for a charge. Monday the 7th afternoon is the next best for a clean session on a solid swell.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Warm (max 22°C on Tue afternoon, min 18°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Sun morning, calm by Mon night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 31°C on Thu afternoon, min 18°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, strong winds from the SW by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 8 | ENE 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 6 | E 7 | E 9 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | S 10 | S 11 | S 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
352 | 335 | 212 | 207 | 225 | 239 | 101 | 106 | 130 | 122 | 300 | 320 | 212 | 262 | 1138 | 5512 | 5504 | 2904 | 1664 | 1406 | 621 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 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 | 9:12AM1.29m | 10:28PM1.30m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 3:39PM0.92m | ||||||||
6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | |
— | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:42 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 2 | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 21 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 28 | 31 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 17 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 25 | 28 | 22 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 6 | E 7 | E 9 | E 9 | SSW 16 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | E 11 | E 10 | E 11 | SSE 8 |
352 | 335 | 212 | 207 | 225 | 239 | 101 | 69 | 130 | 122 | 96 | 320 | 212 | 262 | 49 | 32 | 34 | 35 | 54 | 36 | 621 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 6 | SE 5 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | SSW 7 | E 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | S 5 | E 8 | SSW 14 | — | ENE 10 | NE 8 | NE 8 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | E 11 |
42 | 23 | 62 | 30 | 27 | 13 | 10 | 73 | 37 | 86 | 35 | 69 | 108 | — | 33 | 9 | 11 | 21 | 44 | 42 | 81 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 12 | SSW 9 | SSE 11 | SE 10 | S 10 | S 7 | S 7 | S 11 | SSW 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 8 | — | — | SSW 14 |
8 | 18 | 28 | 17 | 11 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 300 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | 40 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 7 | — | — | SE 5 | NE 3 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | — | S 5 | SSW 5 | NE 2 | NW 2 | SSW 6 | S 10 | S 11 | S 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSW 8 |
323 | 210 | — | — | 25 | 5 | 36 | 106 | — | 42 | 36 | 1 | 1 | 355 | 1138 | 5512 | 5504 | 2904 | 1664 | 1406 | 508 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 353 | 238 | 0 | 51 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 155 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 219 | 209 | 54 | 2613 | 48 | 779 | 1265 | 5 |
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.











