North Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 29.84° S 31.04° E

North Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 31 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's North Beach sea temperature is
20.6°C
0.8° 

North Beach surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


North Beach surf forecast from 31 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period, SSE swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 15s period, S swell with 3,416 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s period with ENE 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 Tuesday (Sep 01) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 1.0m and 6s is also forecast. 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 2.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 03) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Tue 1st Sep)3.5ft (1.0m) 6s
Best Surf 5PM (Fri 4th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 11s
Most Powerful 8AM (Mon 7th Sep)8ft (2.5m) 15s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for North Beach over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.

Right off the bat, this window is a battle. North Beach is a beach/pier setup that’s exposed to the swell, and it’s going to be a real mixed bag. We’ve got a few moments where it cleans up, but for the most part, the wind is going to be the enemy. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so nothing weird there.

The first real glimmer of hope comes on Wednesday afternoon, the 2nd of September. The swell drops to 2ft from the SSW, but look at that period – 16 seconds. That’s some proper groundswell energy pushing in, and with a gentle cross-offshore breeze, it’s going to be clean. Wave energy is moderate (439). Don’t expect big walls, but for a long-period runner, the shape should be there.

Friday morning, the 4th of September, is a bit of a tease. We’ve got 7ft from the SSE with a fresh cross-offshore wind, keeping it clean. The energy is moderate (757). It’s a decent option, but it’s rated as marginal, so be ready for some tide issues.

The standout, and I mean the real standout, is Saturday the 5th of September. Saturday morning is the pick. We’ve got 8ft from the SE with a 9-second period, and a gentle cross-offshore breeze from the SW making it glassy clean. The combined energy is strong (1253). This is “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers” territory. It’s a big swell, over 8ft, so this is strictly for the crew who know what they’re doing. Saturday afternoon is still good with 8ft and cleaner air, but the morning is the call.

After that, it gets hairy. Sunday the 6th has a 21-second period swell in the afternoon, but it’s a 3ft wave with a strong cross-offshore wind. That is a long, long period, and at a beach break, those waves are going to want to stand up and close out. It’s one for the reefs or points, not a beach.

The rest of the first week and into the second week is a write-off. From Monday the 7th through to Wednesday the 16th, it’s a wall of poor conditions. The wind is almost always onshore or cross-onshore, and the swell is either too small or blowing out. There’s a lot of ENE wind, and the swell direction is often from the ENE, which is the optimum direction for the break, but the wind just ruins it. The energy levels bounce around, but the quality is shot.

The only other flicker is on Monday the 14th of September, with a 8ft swell from the ENE, but a moderate cross-shore wind and a marginal call means it’s a gamble. By Tuesday the 15th, we’re back to 10ft of messy, onshore slop, and that’s only for the brave, or the crazy.

So, to sum it up: the best on offer is Saturday morning, September 5th. That’s the one. The swell is big, the wind is clean, and the energy is pumping. Get on it if you’re an expert. The rest of the window is mostly a waiting game. It’s a long stretch of doldrums from the 7th onwards, so don’t hold your breath.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 33°C on Thu morning, min 18°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, fresh winds from the NE by Thu afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 33mm), heaviest during Sat morning. Warm (max 27°C on Thu night, min 17°C on Sun afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Thu night, calm by Sat night).

Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
1
0
2
2
0
0
0
1
!
!
4
3
3
0
2
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
E
9
1
E
9
0.7
E
8
1.1
E
8
1.1
ENE
8
0.7
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
16
1.3
NE
7
2.4
ENE
8
2
S
7
2.2
SSE
8
3
SSE
11
3
SSE
10
2.5
SE
9
2.3
SE
8
1.4
SE
8
1.2
E
9
1
S
21
2
S
17
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
196
157
69
165
167
263
411
155
620
377
599
2310
1883
1070
778
274
251
840
2237
Wind (km/h)
5
N
15
ENE
15
NE
10
N
30
S
15
SSW
15
N
25
N
35
NE
40
SW
35
SSW
35
SSE
25
SSE
15
SW
5
WSW
5
WSW
40
S
35
SSW
25
SE
Wind State
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross
cross-off
cross-on
High Tide
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
12:19PM1.33m
00:53AM1.40m
Low Tide
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
5:32AM0.86m
6:39PM0.85m
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
mod rain
heavy rain
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
mod rain
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:11
6:09
6:09
6:07
6:07
6:05
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:39
5:39
5:40
5:40
5:42
5:42
5:43
 mm
1
6
11
1
2
4
8
1
Temp °C
19
22
22
21
22
20
19
33
33
27
21
20
19
18
20
19
20
19
19
Feels °C
20
21
21
24
20
19
20
28
28
25
18
15
15
17
21
20
18
13
12
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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