North Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 29.84° S 31.04° E

North Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 20 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's North Beach sea temperature is
21.5° C
0.2° 

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 20 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, SSW swell with 1,998 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s period with S 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 (Aug 20) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 16s. 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 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 8PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Thu 20th Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 8s
Best Surf 5AM (Sun 23rd Aug)11ft (3.5m) 10s
Most Powerful 5AM (Sun 23rd Aug)11ft (3.5m) 10s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what North Beach has in store for us over the next 16 days.

It’s a pretty frustrating stretch ahead if I’m being honest. The overall pattern is one of persistent onshore or cross-onshore winds and a lot of lumpy, choppy conditions. The surf does show up, but it’s constantly fighting against the wind. We’re looking at a long gap of days with very little to get excited about.

The first real sniff of something is Thursday morning, August 20th. We’ve got a 7ft southerly swell with a short, weak 8-second period. The energy is moderate (627). The problem is the wind is blowing 19 mph from the SSW, which is cross-offshore, so it’s clean on the face, but that’s a strong breeze making it hard work. The waves are clean but marginal, and the tide could be a factor.

Then it’s a rough run. Friday through to the end of the first week is mostly a write-off. The wind is cross-on from the NE, chopping up everything. Saturday morning the 22nd is tiny at 1ft, and the afternoon gets blasted by a 28 mph cross-off wind that, while clean, will be a struggle to even paddle out in. We get a small window Sunday morning, August 23rd, with a 5ft southerly swell (478 energy) and a clean cross-off wind from the SSW at 12 mph. That’s the best of the first week, but with a 9-second period, it’s not exactly a groundswell masterpiece.

The second week is a mixed bag of small, short-period swells and persistent onshore winds. Monday, August 31st sees a jump in energy with a 7ft swell from the ESE, but it’s got a 28 mph NE wind screaming onshore, making it a total mess. The energy is very strong (1176), but you’d be a kite surfer, not a surfer, to enjoy that.

The one standout that has a bit of potential is Tuesday, September 1st. The morning has a 3ft southerly swell with a very long 14-second period, and the energy is strong (1130). The wind is a cross-shore 19 mph from the south. It’s going to be lumpy, but that long-period energy will have some push. The afternoon sees a jump to 8ft from the east, but the period drops to 8 seconds, and the wind is still a fresh cross-shore breeze. That morning session is the best on offer, but it’s for experienced surfers only—8ft with short period and a cross-shore breeze is a beast.

The water temperature is sitting at 71°F, which is bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Wind is a constant problem here. For a beach break, this setup is more interesting for the kite surfers than us paddle surfers, especially on those days with strong, clean cross-off winds.

So, for the best chance of a wave, you’re looking at Thursday morning, August 20th for a clean, windy session, or Sunday morning, August 23rd for a cleaner but smaller option. The real dark horse, if you’ve got the skill, is Tuesday morning, September 1st—that long-period southerly swell could have some juice, but it’s a long way out and the wind is a gamble.

Stay frosty.
Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sat afternoon, min 16°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, strong winds from the SSW by Sat afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Tue afternoon, min 16°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
2
1
0
0
0
0
2
1
0
2
0
0
1
0
0
2
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2
S
8
1.5
S
8
1.1
SSW
16
1.2
S
13
0.9
S
13
0.7
S
11
1
ENE
6
1.2
S
16
2.5
S
10
1.6
S
9
1.3
S
8
1.2
S
10
1.2
S
11
0.7
SSW
14
0.5
S
16
0.5
S
16
0.7
SSW
16
1.2
S
18
0.9
SSW
16
0.7
SSW
14
1.9
NE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
488
248
636
521
255
116
68
697
1250
398
230
288
348
215
127
131
256
889
432
215
407
Wind (km/h)
30
SSW
20
S
10
NNE
15
ENE
15
NE
15
NNE
20
NE
45
SSW
30
SSW
20
SSW
10
SSE
10
NW
15
NE
10
ENE
15
SW
10
S
15
ESE
10
N
30
NE
35
NE
20
NNE
Wind State
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
8:04PM1.40m
8:28AM1.22m
9:28PM1.25m
12:11PM1.16m
00:48AM1.27m
1:47PM1.32m
1:52AM1.40m
2:22PM1.50m
2:28AM1.55m
2:50PM1.67m
2:57AM1.68m
3:17PM1.82m
3:25AM1.80m
Low Tide
1:39PM0.78m
2:29AM0.89m
2:31PM0.94m
5:06AM0.97m
6:20PM1.00m
7:26AM0.86m
7:49PM0.85m
8:07AM0.70m
8:27PM0.69m
8:37AM0.55m
8:57PM0.54m
9:04AM0.41m
9:24PM0.40m
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:24
6:22
6:22
6:20
6:20
6:18
6:18
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:34
5:34
5:35
5:35
5:36
5:36
5:37
 mm
Temp °C
20
20
19
19
20
19
24
28
20
19
19
18
19
20
19
20
21
20
21
21
19
Feels °C
15
16
19
18
18
18
22
26
13
15
15
19
16
18
21
19
20
20
16
16
14
  • 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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