Surf Forecasts:
North Beach surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, SSW swell with 1,666 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 15s 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 3.0m 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 1.7m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for North Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty, and I’m looking at the North Beach forecast... and honestly, mate, it’s a bit of a mixed bag for the next 16 days.
The overall pattern shows some solid swell windows, but the wind is a real pain most of the time, keeping things choppy and messy. There’s nothing here that’s a true, screaming standout, but we do have a couple of windows where it could clean up nicely.
Let’s start with Thursday morning, 20th August. This is the first real chance at something rideable. A 7 ft south swell is rolling in, but the period is a short 8 seconds, so it won’t have much grunt. The real kicker here is the wind: a brisk 22 mph SSW cross-offshore breeze. That’s gonna clean things up, making it look smooth. The combined energy is moderate (691). Because the swell is over 5 ft, it’s probably a bit much for the groms, but for an intermediate, this morning window is where it’s at. The water temp is 71°, which is about average for the time of year.
Then we get a gap. The rest of Thursday and Friday are pretty average, with the wind turning onshore messing up the 3 ft to 4 ft swells.
The next real promise comes on Saturday afternoon, 22nd August. The wind swings hard to a 28 mph SSW cross-offshore, and the wave energy goes through the roof with a combined energy of 1036. That’s strong energy. The swell is only 5 ft from the south, but with a very long 16-second period, this is a true groundswell. This is the kind of swell that will wrap into points and reefs and hold its shape, but at a beach break like North Beach, a long period like that can make waves break a bit too straight. Still, the clean conditions from that strong offshore wind make it the most interesting offering of the whole forecast for a surfer who wants to get out. Just be aware that with the wind that strong, paddle-out might be a mission.
After that, the forecast gets rough. From Sunday, 23rd August, all the way through to the end of the month, the wind is a stubborn cross-onshore from the NE. There’s plenty of swell, with a few days pushing 5 ft to 8 ft, and even some strong energy numbers (up to 879), but it’s all going to be choppy and lumpy. The period is often short (6-8 seconds), making it weak and messy. This is a solid week of poor surf conditions.
For a brief moment on Tuesday morning, 1st September, we get a clean–looking 5 ft east swell with a 16 mph SSW cross-offshore wind, but the quality is still rated poor, so it’s a gamble.
The outlook then fades out into the first few days of September with nothing but onshore slop.
So, the best on offer is that Thursday morning, 20th August for the clean conditions, and the Saturday afternoon, 22nd August for the raw power and long-period groundswell, even if the wind is strong. The rest of the run is a write-off, I’m afraid. A long stretch of nearly a week with no real recommendations.
This is Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Wed afternoon, min 17°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sat morning, min 16°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Sat afternoon, calm by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | E 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | S 8 | S 8 | SSW 16 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | NE 6 | S 16 | S 10 | S 9 | S 8 | S 10 | S 12 | S 13 | S 17 | SSW 16 | S 15 | S 17 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
117 | 118 | 176 | 551 | 268 | 644 | 521 | 295 | 151 | 184 | 954 | 1250 | 398 | 235 | 279 | 434 | 407 | 220 | 266 | 453 | 465 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 7:27PM1.56m | 7:37AM1.37m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:09PM0.61m | 1:41AM0.74m | 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 | ||||||||
6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | |
— | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:36 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 28 | 23 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 19 | 19 | 22 | 14 | 14 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 26 | 16 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 8 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | SSW 16 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | S 9 | S 8 | S 10 | S 12 | S 13 | SSE 9 | SSW 16 | S 15 | S 17 |
117 | 89 | 146 | 49 | 34 | 644 | 521 | 295 | 151 | 94 | 82 | 17 | 398 | 235 | 279 | 434 | 407 | 86 | 266 | 453 | 465 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 5 | SSW 14 | E 7 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | S 10 | — | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | S 17 | S 9 | E 8 | S 13 |
9 | 118 | 94 | 73 | 62 | 103 | 21 | 21 | 12 | 47 | — | 74 | 67 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 6 | 220 | 57 | 6 | 121 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | — | — | NE 7 | NE 7 | E 8 | — | — | — | SSW 14 | — | — | ENE 9 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | S 24 | — | E 9 | E 8 | E 5 | E 9 |
85 | — | — | 18 | 7 | 20 | — | — | — | 70 | — | — | 15 | 33 | 12 | 11 | — | 6 | 6 | 1 | 6 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ENE 4 | SSW 15 | S 8 | S 8 | — | — | ENE 3 | ENE 4 | NE 6 | S 16 | S 10 | — | — | — | — | — | NE 9 | ENE 4 | ENE 3 | ENE 4 |
— | 13 | 176 | 551 | 268 | — | — | 1 | 18 | 184 | 954 | 1250 | — | — | — | — | — | 20 | 1 | 5 | 18 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 5 | 5 | 58 | 330 | 330 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 209 | 268 | 1 | 54 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 54 | 5 | 2 |
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.











