
Surf Forecasts:
North Beach surf forecast from 3 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 9 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, NE swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, NE swell with 1,044 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 3 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 10s period with ESE 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 Monday (Aug 03) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at North Beach in the next 16 days are 3.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) 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 1.5m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 08) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Mon 3rd Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sun 9th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sun 9th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for North Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.
We’ve got a bit of a flat spell opening up the window. Nothing really worth paddling out for until early next week, so don’t rush to wax up just yet.
First real chance of a wave comes on Monday, August 3rd, in the afternoon at North Beach. It’s a beach and pier setup, pretty exposed to the southeast. We’re looking at chest-high swell at 6ft, coming from the southeast with a 10-second period – that’s a moderate overall energy (810). The offshore wind direction is west, but we’ve got a light cross-onshore breeze from the SSE at 6 mph, which will put a few ripples on the face. The water temp is sitting at 71°, which is bang on average for this time of year. Honestly, it’s a pretty marginal call, so don’t expect magic.
Tuesday the 4th is a write-off – the wind picks up and the swell drops off, making for a choppy, messy mess. Wednesday morning the 5th is the standout for the first week. The swell drops to 3ft from the east-southeast, but the wind goes glassy. Light easterly breeze at 3 mph, just a slight air. That’s going to be clean, smooth, and fun. The combined energy is low (227), but for a small-wave board or a longboard, this is the session to pick. The water temp is still about average for the season.
After that, it’s a long stretch of real poor conditions. The wind stays cross-on or cross-off, the swell stays tiny, and the energy barely cracks 200. There’s a bit of a spike on Sunday the 9th afternoon with 6ft from the east-northeast, but a fresh 19 mph cross-onshore wind will ruin it completely. That’s more of a kite-surfing setup than a paddle wave.
Now, the real action comes on Tuesday, August 11th. Massive swell hits. We’re talking 18ft on Tuesday morning, building to 21ft by the afternoon, both from the south. The period is 11 to 12 seconds, so there’s serious energy – the afternoon reading is 18,371. That’s extreme. But here’s the thing – North Beach is an exposed beach/pier break. At that size, it’s going to be a washing machine. The wind is cross-on from the northeast at 12-22 mph, making it lumpy and messy. This is strictly for experts only, and even then, it’s a dangerous, heavy beast. The forecast suggests it’s too big for this break, so unless you’re a pro, give it a wide berth.
Wednesday the 12th is still huge (13ft to 15ft) but with even stronger winds (22-28 mph) from the northeast. That’s blown-out chaos. Again, a kite-surfing day.
Things settle down a little by Thursday the 13th. Morning sees 6ft from the southeast, period 11 seconds, with a gentle cross-shore wind from the south at 9 mph. The energy is solid (1,278). It’s still a bit cross-shore, but it’s cleaner. This is probably the best call for the second week if you’re after something surfable, but it’s still only marginal.
The rest of the run from the 14th onward is small and unexciting, with wind issues and poor conditions. A few small pulses from the south with 3ft to 4ft, but the wind is never really on our side.
So, to wrap it up: Wednesday morning, August 5th, is your best bet for a clean, fun session on a small wave. If you’re a hardcore charger, Tuesday the 11th is the big one, but it’s a monster and not for the faint of heart. The rest is a waiting game.
Stay safe out there.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Thu morning, min 16°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sun morning, min 16°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, strong winds from the SSW by Fri night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | ||||||||||||||
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 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 6 | SW 16 | SSW 18 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
769 | 532 | 490 | 455 | 192 | 197 | 184 | 154 | 120 | 121 | 111 | 109 | 83 | 127 | 102 | 138 | 94 | 281 | 434 | 579 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:34PM1.88m | 6:42AM1.71m | 7:10PM1.78m | 7:20AM1.60m | 7:53PM1.66m | 8:10AM1.47m | 8:52PM1.51m | 9:31AM1.34m | 10:33PM1.41m | 11:49AM1.33m | 00:34AM1.45m | 1:29PM1.48m | 1:51AM1.59m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:44AM0.43m | 12:50PM0.37m | 1:21AM0.53m | 1:29PM0.50m | 2:09AM0.65m | 2:21PM0.65m | 3:21AM0.77m | 3:49PM0.80m | 5:21AM0.80m | 6:06PM0.81m | 7:07AM0.68m | 7:39PM0.67m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
5:23 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:27 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 27 | 22 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 24 | 27 | 24 |
Feels °C | 19 | 21 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 23 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 21 | 24 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 7 | S 6 | S 7 | E 10 | S 8 | SSE 8 | ENE 9 |
769 | 532 | 490 | 455 | 192 | 197 | 184 | 154 | 120 | 121 | 111 | 109 | 83 | 103 | 94 | 56 | 94 | 21 | 13 | 579 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | S 7 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | E 10 | E 10 | S 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 |
16 | 21 | 17 | 15 | 28 | 25 | 20 | 40 | 25 | 16 | 44 | 73 | 34 | 26 | 92 | 122 | 42 | 38 | 17 | 99 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | S 10 | S 11 | S 12 | E 11 | SW 11 | S 16 | S 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | ENE 6 | SSW 6 | S 6 | SW 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | — | S 18 | SSE 9 |
25 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 83 | 5 | 5 | 27 | 61 | 99 | 15 | 12 | 6 | 127 | 102 | 138 | 86 | — | 6 | 8 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | ENE 4 | NE 5 | — | NE 6 | — | — | S 4 | — | NE 6 | ENE 6 | SSW 5 | — | NE 3 | ENE 5 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | — |
— | — | — | 11 | 63 | — | 34 | — | — | 25 | — | 15 | 77 | 121 | — | 2 | 32 | 281 | 434 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 684 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 405 | 48 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 275 | 58 |
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.











