North Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 29.84° S 31.04° E

North Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 04 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's North Beach sea temperature is
21.6° C
0.3° 

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 5 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 9 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 10 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, SSE swell with 1,930 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 5 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 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 Wednesday (Aug 05) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 5s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at North Beach in the next 16 days are 3.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 10) 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 1.3m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 06) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Wed 5th Aug)4ft (1.2m) 10s
Best Surf11PM (Sun 9th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 8s
Most Powerful 8PM (Mon 10th Aug)11ft (3.5m) 9s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s get into it. The next couple of days are pretty gutless for us here at North Beach. We’re looking at a slow start with small, weak surf and a bit of a bumpy texture. The swell energy is just not there, coming in around 218 to 236 (moderate) but it’s short-period windswell, not the kind of thing that gets the heart racing. You might find a dribbly little wave Wednesday morning, but don’t get your hopes up. The onshore breeze will mess with it later.

Thursday stays small, and that fresh SW wind kicking up in the afternoon is going to put a bit of a cross-off chop on things. It’s not terrible, but it’s not really rideable either. Friday morning, we finally get a bit of a reset. The wind goes glassy, and we get a sniff of a 2ft SSW groundswell with a 13-second period. It’s small, but it’s clean. That’s the best of the first few days, but still not worth calling in sick for.

The weekend is a write-off. North winds are going to be blowing onshore and it’s going to be lumpy and messy. Saturday and Sunday are both poor, with choppy conditions and weak, disorganized swell. Forget it.

Now, the big news. Monday the 10th is where things get interesting, and by interesting, I mean big. We’ve got a 10ft south swell rolling in with the energy jumping to 1660 (strong). The problem is, that’s way too much for this break. It’s going to be a washing machine. The wind is also howling from the SSW at 25 mph, so it’s going to be a complete mess. For the average punter, this is a “watch from the beach” day. For the experts, it’s going to be a battle, and even then, it’s probably more of a kite-surfing day than a paddle-surfing day. The energy is strong, but the quality is gone.

Tuesday the 11th is still big and messy, with strong cross-shore winds and lumpy conditions. The swell drops a bit, but it’s still too big and onshore to be any fun.

But then, things start to clean up. Wednesday the 12th looks like the standout of the whole window. We’ve still got a solid 5ft to 7ft of SE swell, with the energy around 786 to 824 (moderate to strong). The wind swings to a light cross-off from the SW, and the conditions are expected to be clean. This is where North Beach gets good. The swell direction is a touch east of the optimum, but the size and the clean conditions are going to make it work. This is the day to be in the water.

Thursday the 13th is still rideable, with similar size cross-off winds, but the energy backs off a touch and the tide might be a bit funky. Still, it’s a solid option.

After that, it fades back into the small and messy category. Friday and Saturday have some rideable waves, but they’re not the standouts. The long period SE swell on Saturday afternoon might give a couple of clean ones, but it’s not as consistent.

The second week looks more promising than the start, but nothing else hits the high notes of Wednesday the 12th. The 18th and 19th see a bump in south swell, but the onshore wind kills it.

So, if you’ve got patience, hang tight for Wednesday the 12th. That’s your window. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there. Keep it on your radar, but don’t expect the world until then.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Thu morning, min 16°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Thu afternoon, calm by Fri morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Mon afternoon. Warm (max 23°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Mon morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Fri night, strong winds from the SSW by Mon morning).

Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
Monday
10
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
0
2
1
0
2
2
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
!
!
0
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
ESE
10
1
ESE
10
1
E
10
0.9
ESE
10
0.8
E
10
0.8
E
10
1.2
S
6
0.5
SSW
13
0.5
SSW
13
0.7
E
9
0.7
E
10
0.7
E
10
1.4
ENE
7
0.9
ENE
9
0.4
SSW
17
3
SSW
9
3
S
9
3
SSE
10
3
SSE
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
192
197
184
154
120
121
116
102
96
83
87
97
193
149
111
1189
1575
1883
1331
Wind (km/h)
10
N
5
ENE
10
NE
10
NW
5
S
30
SSW
15
SSW
5
ESE
10
E
10
N
20
NE
25
NE
10
N
20
S
30
S
35
SSW
40
SSW
45
S
40
S
Wind State
cross
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
High Tide
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
2:27PM1.68m
2:43AM1.75m
Low Tide
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
8:10AM0.50m
8:36PM0.50m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
mod rain
mod rain
mod rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:37
6:37
6:37
6:35
6:35
6:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:23
5:24
5:25
5:25
5:27
5:27
5:28
 mm
7
8
6
Temp °C
20
21
21
20
25
21
20
19
20
19
21
23
20
23
21
19
14
16
16
Feels °C
20
20
20
19
22
17
17
20
19
20
18
20
18
20
16
13
5
7
6
  • 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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