
Surf Forecasts:
North Beach surf forecast from 3 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 3 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, NE swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 17s period, S swell with 2,564 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 3 Sep, 8PM (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 Thursday (Sep 03) at 8PM. 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 0.5m 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 2.1m 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 03) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for North Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s cooking at North Beach.
First up, the water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, so you know what to expect when you hop in. The real story for the next couple of weeks is that we’ve got a lot of swell on the cards, but the wind is going to be the main character, and honestly, it’s not always a friendly one.
We kick things off on Thursday, September 3rd. There’s a 5.2ft swell from the NE (moderate wave energy at 614), but a cross-shore wind is gonna mess with the face. It’s a bit of a dog’s breakfast, to be honest. The afternoon only gets worse with a lumpy cross-onshore. Friday, September 4th, the swell jumps, but the wind is messy. The morning has a clean feel with a cross-offshore 19 mph wind, but that 8.2ft swell from the S is starting to get big. Afternoon is a write-off with strong cross-shore winds.
Saturday, September 5th, is a bit of a tease. The morning has a 7.5ft SSE swell with a light onshore breeze. It’s not terrible, but it’s not clean. The afternoon goes onshore and it’s just not great. Sunday and Monday (September 6th & 7th) are a write-off with poor conditions and strong winds.
Now, look. There’s a big gap of poor-quality surf here. It’s not until Tuesday, September 15th, that things get interesting. This is the standout of the whole run. The forecast shows a solid 9.8ft NE swell with very light winds. The combined energy is a hefty 2219, so you’ll feel the power. The wind and tide are favorable, but let's be real: that’s a big swell. At 9.8ft, this is strictly for experienced surfers. It’s going to be a handful, and the period is a bit short (8 seconds), so it’ll be a bit walled up, but if you’re an expert, you’ll be frothing. The afternoon on the 15th stays clean with a cross-offshore wind, but still, that’s a big, powerful wave.
The following week has a few more swells, but the wind is consistently onshore or cross-onshore, keeping the quality down. Thursday, September 17th, has an 8.2ft S swell with a cross-shore wind, but it’s a bit of a bumpy mess. Friday, September 18th, looks a bit cleaner with a cross-offshore wind and a 7.5ft S swell, but by then we’re deep into the second week and the confidence is lower.
The bottom line: The only real standout is Tuesday, September 15th, and that’s only for the experts. For everyone else, there’s a lot of waiting for the wind to play nice.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Fri morning. Warm (max 33°C on Thu morning, min 16°C on Sat morning). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, strong winds from the S by Fri afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sun morning. Warm (max 21°C on Tue morning, min 17°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat night, fresh winds from the NE by Mon afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 16 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | SSW 7 | S 8 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SSE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | S 22 | S 17 | S 16 | S 14 | S 13 | ENE 8 | NE 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
416 | 314 | 439 | 392 | 893 | 1744 | 1799 | 846 | 673 | 290 | 202 | 185 | 453 | 2564 | 1420 | 561 | 330 | 411 | 529 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 6:50AM1.63m | 7:14PM1.63m | 7:38AM1.45m | 8:11PM1.44m | 9:12AM1.29m | 10:28PM1.30m | 12:19PM1.33m | 00:53AM1.40m | 1:37PM1.54m | 1:54AM1.59m | 2:21PM1.75m | 2:35AM1.76m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:47AM0.49m | 12:57PM0.54m | 1:31AM0.65m | 1:46PM0.74m | 2:44AM0.82m | 3:39PM0.92m | 5:32AM0.86m | 6:39PM0.85m | 7:14AM0.69m | 7:49PM0.65m | 8:04AM0.49m | 8:32PM0.45m | |||||||
— | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | |
5:40 | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 4 | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 33 | 33 | 26 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 20 |
Feels °C | 22 | 28 | 28 | 24 | 16 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 18 | 17 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | ENE 8 | S 12 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SSE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | S 10 | S 17 | S 16 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | ENE 8 |
416 | 157 | 75 | 385 | 82 | 48 | 1426 | 846 | 673 | 290 | 202 | 185 | 98 | 2564 | 1420 | 561 | 330 | 184 | 331 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | SSW 14 | — | — | E 10 | NE 8 | ENE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | S 22 | E 10 | — | SW 20 | S 18 | — | S 11 |
90 | 143 | — | — | 48 | 15 | 35 | 72 | 72 | 237 | 117 | 91 | 453 | 44 | — | 15 | 6 | — | 82 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | S 17 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 14 | — | — | — | — | S 18 | SSW 12 |
42 | — | — | — | — | — | 23 | 110 | 103 | 65 | 156 | 143 | 186 | — | — | — | — | 6 | 14 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NE 8 | ENE 8 | SSW 7 | S 8 | S 10 | S 10 | — | — | — | — | — | E 8 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | NE 7 |
— | 314 | 439 | 392 | 893 | 1744 | 1799 | — | — | — | — | — | 177 | 143 | 363 | 353 | 294 | 411 | 529 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 219 | 405 | 242 | 1241 | 1241 | 802 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 714 | 714 | 353 | 456 | 476 | 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.










