Surf Forecasts:
North Beach surf forecast from 23 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 29 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 11s period, S swell with 2,966 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 23 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 13s period with SSW 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 Thursday (Jul 23) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at North Beach in the next 16 days are 3.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Wed 29th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for North Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, Rusty here. Let's break down what's happening at North Beach. Water temp is about 72°, which is pretty normal for this time of year.
Honestly, the start of this forecast is a bit of a dud. Thursday the 23rd has a tiny 3ft swell from the SE, period around 12 seconds, but the wind is a messy cross-off at 25 km/h and conditions are just mediocre. The wave energy is weak (315). Not worth the paddle.
Friday the 24th is a big one, but not in a good way. We've got a solid 10ft S swell, 10-second period, with a strong cross-off wind at 40-45 km/h. The wave energy is enormous (1821-2231). This is way too much for North Beach – it's a beach/pier spot, and it'll be a churning mess. Better suited for the kite surfers than paddle surfing. Leave it for the experts.
Saturday the 25th drops to 6ft from the SSE, period 9-10 seconds. The wind is light and cross in the morning, but the conditions are still only marginal. The wave energy is moderate (666-743). It's a maybe, but nothing special.
From Sunday the 26th through to the end of July, we've got a lot of onshore and cross-onshore winds from the NE, making for choppy, poor surf. There are a few pulses of big swell – 10ft and 12ft on the 29th, 30th, and 31st – but again, it's either too big for this break or the wind is all wrong. The 31st of July has a 10ft SSE swell with a clean cross-off wind in the morning, but at that size, it's still only for the brave. The wave energy is extreme (3452).
The one window that looks promising is Thursday the 1st of August. The swell is 8ft from the ESE, period 10 seconds, and the wind is a light cross-on from the NE. The wave energy is moderate (1086). It's still a bit on the bigger side for beginners, but for an intermediate surfer, this is your best shot. The swell direction is close to the optimum SE, so the waves should have some shape. Crowds are possible, so get out there early.
After that, the second week fades out with smaller, poor-quality swells and onshore junk through to the 7th of August. Not much to get excited about.
So, the verdict: the first week is a bust unless you're charging big waves. Thursday the 1st of August is your best chance for a decent session, with a solid swell and okay wind. It's not a classic, but it's the only real game in town.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Thu morning, min 14°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the S on Fri afternoon, calm by Sat night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Mon afternoon, min 14°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | S 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 167 | 164 | 106 | 1745 | 2047 | 564 | 495 | 563 | 431 | 260 | 172 | 224 | 157 | 77 | 97 | 127 | 155 | 248 | 2357 | 2653 | 2479 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-on | cross-on | off | on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:13AM1.23m | 11:07PM1.35m | 12:17PM1.23m | 00:47AM1.38m | 1:42PM1.33m | 1:52AM1.47m | 2:30PM1.47m | 2:37AM1.57m | 3:06PM1.60m | 3:13AM1.67m | 3:38PM1.73m | 3:44AM1.75m | 4:07PM1.83m | 4:14AM1.81m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:18PM0.88m | 6:01AM0.86m | 6:17PM0.89m | 7:26AM0.78m | 7:39PM0.81m | 8:16AM0.66m | 8:30PM0.69m | 8:53AM0.54m | 9:09PM0.58m | 9:25AM0.43m | 9:42PM0.47m | 9:54AM0.34m | 10:13PM0.39m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:46 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — |
 | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 17 | 19 | 19 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 7 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | S 10 | SSW 16 | E 9 | SSE 10 |
| kJ | 77 | 164 | 106 | 61 | 59 | 564 | 495 | 563 | 431 | 260 | 172 | 100 | 88 | 42 | 97 | 127 | 125 | 244 | 333 | 79 | 1870 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | S 8 | NE 6 | ENE 8 | SSW 19 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 10 | SSW 5 | SSW 16 | E 9 | E 9 | S 19 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 167 | 57 | 10 | 6 | 125 | 269 | 169 | 174 | 118 | 187 | 137 | 68 | 22 | 35 | 33 | 10 | 155 | 160 | 103 | 175 | 337 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | ENE 7 | E 9 | S 22 | — | SE 11 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | — | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | ESE 10 | S 11 | SSW 18 | S 11 | S 18 | — | E 9 | E 9 |
| kJ | 71 | 41 | 6 | 9 | — | 31 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 5 | — | 49 | 28 | 18 | 21 | 104 | 61 | 248 | — | 99 | 76 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 4 | — | SSW 6 | S 10 | S 10 | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | ENE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | SW 3 | SSW 6 | S 6 | — | S 10 | S 11 | S 11 |
| kJ | 29 | — | 161 | 1745 | 2047 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 48 | 224 | 157 | 77 | 3 | 41 | 11 | — | 2357 | 2653 | 2479 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 130 | 1 | 353 | 684 | 695 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 701 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 87 | 0 | 107 | 714 | 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.
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