
Surf Forecasts:
North Beach surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, ESE swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 19 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, SE swell with 2,287 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 15 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 9s period with E 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 15) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 12s. 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 Saturday (Sep 19) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sat 19th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for North Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what North Beach has got cookin' for us over the next couple of weeks.
We're kickin' off Monday the 14th with a bit of a raw deal, I gotta say. The swell is up, but it's all over the shop. Strong cross-onshore winds are gonna be wreckin' the surface, and the combined energy is a hefty 875, but with that short 8-second period, it's gonna be a messy, lumpy close-out. Monday arvo it actually gets worse – a near-gale is howlin' and the energy jumps to 1845, but it's just blown out. Not worth paddlin' out.
Tuesday the 15th looks a bit more promising, but still not stellar. The wind swings around and actually goes light offshore in the afternoon, which is a win. We've got a 6 ft swell from the east with a 9-second period (moderate energy around 662). It's still a bit marginal, but that clean glass is gonna make it rideable for the intermediate crew. Wednesday the 16th morning looks alright too with light offshore wind and a 6 ft east swell (energy 608), but watch out – Wednesday arvo the wind swings cross-offshore and goes strong, makin' it clean but blown out.
Thursday the 17th is where we start to see some clean action. The morning is a bit marginal with a moderate cross-off breeze and 5 ft swell (energy 587). But Thursday afternoon? That's a good sign. Light breeze, cross-off, 5 ft east swell (energy 745), and the guidance is calling for very good conditions. This is the first real highlight – clean lines, decent size, and manageable crowds.
Friday the 18th is a washout again. Heavy rain, strong onshore winds, and the swell jumps to 10 ft with an 8-second period (energy 1607). That's a kite surfer's dream, not a paddle surfer's.
Now, here's the standout of the whole run, and it's a beauty. Saturday the 19th. Light breeze, cross-off wind, and a 8 ft swell from the southeast with a 9-second period (energy around 1307). This is what we wait for. The guidance is callin' it excellent for experienced surfers, and it's clean all day long – both mornin' and arvo. If you can handle that size (8 ft is expert territory), this is your session. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so a steamer might be on the cards, but it'll be fine.
Sunday the 20th we lose the wind and the swell drops back to 5 ft (energy 590) with a messy onshore flow. Not worth it.
There's a bit of a lull then. Monday the 21st to Wednesday the 23rd is all small, weak, or blown out. The energy drops below 400, the swell is around 3-4 ft, and the winds are onshore or cross. Nothing to get excited about. Thursday the 24th and Friday the 25th are just as poor – strong onshore winds and small swell.
Now, we get a little glimmer a bit further out. Saturday the 26th arvo, we've got a bit of a surprise. A 5 ft swell from the south with a long 12-second period (energy 1295) and clean cross-off wind. This is a promising setup for the point break crew – that long period is gonna wrap in nicely and give some proper shape, but it might be a bit straight for the beachies. It's a long-range call though, so don't get too attached to it just yet. The rest of that weekend and Monday the 28th have some more clean cross-off wind and building swell from the south – Monday the 28th arvo we see a 6 ft south swell with a huge 17-second period (energy 1725). That's a proper groundswell, but again, it's a week and a half out, so keep an eye on it. It might be a ripper for the reefs and points.
So, to sum it up: the best on offer is definitely Saturday the 19th – expert-level clean surf. The next best is Thursday the 17th afternoon for a solid, clean session for the intermediates. The long-range stuff around the 26th to 28th has potential, but it's a promise, not a certainty.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 24°C on Mon morning, min 17°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the NE on Mon afternoon, calm by Tue morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 33mm), heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 22°C on Sat morning, min 17°C on Thu morning). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, fresh winds from the NE by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SE 11 | ESE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
661 | 1809 | 1530 | 679 | 619 | 1230 | 596 | 458 | 379 | 394 | 450 | 1106 | 1847 | 1302 | 2218 | 1685 | 1217 | 1363 | 964 | 1236 | 843 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:23PM2.00m | 5:34AM1.83m | 5:48PM1.88m | 5:58AM1.71m | 6:12PM1.73m | 6:23AM1.56m | 6:36PM1.57m | 6:49AM1.41m | 7:02PM1.40m | 7:28AM1.25m | 7:47PM1.22m | 12:04PM1.17m | 00:37AM1.21m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:12AM0.20m | 11:32PM0.29m | 11:37AM0.32m | 11:58PM0.41m | 12:00PM0.46m | 00:22AM0.55m | 12:24PM0.62m | 00:49AM0.70m | 12:49PM0.79m | 1:22AM0.86m | 1:24PM0.97m | 3:13AM1.00m | 6:40PM1.03m | ||||||||
5:56 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | |
— | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 5 | 1 | — | — | 5 | 4 | 2 | 21 | 5 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 |
Temp °C | 24 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 19 | 24 | 23 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 22 |
Feels °C | 18 | 16 | 15 | 24 | 21 | 20 | 24 | 18 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | S 7 | SSE 8 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SE 11 | ESE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 14 | E 10 |
186 | 83 | 36 | 679 | 619 | 721 | 596 | 458 | 379 | 192 | 287 | 1106 | 1192 | 1302 | 2218 | 1685 | 1217 | 1363 | 964 | 21 | 843 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | S 9 | SSW 13 | SSW 4 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SW 16 | SSW 14 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 12 | S 13 |
41 | 2 | 101 | 3 | 23 | 21 | 8 | 10 | 19 | 394 | 450 | 131 | 54 | 108 | 117 | 57 | 24 | 21 | 8 | 14 | 13 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | — | — | SSW 12 | SSW 4 | S 16 | S 15 | — | — | SSW 14 | SW 14 | — | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | — | SW 16 | SW 15 | S 18 |
24 | — | — | 28 | 2 | 5 | 4 | — | — | 20 | 7 | — | 312 | 29 | 82 | 47 | 29 | — | 10 | 8 | 25 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | — | — | ENE 9 | — | S 6 | S 7 | — | SE 7 | — | ESE 9 | — | — | NNE 7 | E 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 9 | SW 3 |
661 | 1809 | 1530 | — | — | 1230 | — | 266 | 271 | — | 156 | — | 1847 | — | — | 5 | 56 | 557 | 476 | 1236 | 2 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 562 | 410 | 103 | 1 | 209 | 0 | 54 | 209 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 107 | 779 | 320 | 238 | 103 | 0 |
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.










