
Surf Forecasts:
North Beach surf forecast from 2 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 2 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, SSW swell with 3,594 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 2 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s period with SE 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 Sunday (Aug 02) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 11s. 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 4.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) at 8AM. 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 Saturday (Aug 08) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for North Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's break down the waves at North Beach for the coming two weeks. We've got some serious energy on the way, but it's a bit of a mixed bag.
Things start hot on Sunday, August 2nd. The ocean is firing with a very strong combined energy of 2385. We're looking at a 10-foot SE swell with a 12-second period, which is some solid groundswell. For an intermediate break, that's a lot of water, pushing into expert territory. The wind is a 15 mph SSW cross-offshore, so it'll be clean. The water is sitting at 72°, which is normal for this time of year. The tide and wind are favourable, but at 10 feet, this is only for the brave.
Monday the 3rd drops to a 7-foot SE swell with an 11-second period (1094 combined energy). The wind goes light at 3 mph from the south, but it's a side-shore, and the quality is marginal at best.
From Tuesday the 4th right through to Saturday the 8th morning, it's a grim stretch. The swell shrinks to under 3 feet for days, and onshore or side-onshore winds from the NE ruin any chance of a decent wave. Friday morning the 7th has glassy conditions, but the swell is a mere 2 feet with a short 9-second period. You'd be scratching for anything. A solid gap of several days with nothing to recommend.
Then we get to the main event. Sunday, August 9th. A massive 11-12 foot S swell builds through the day, starting with a 12-second period and lengthening to a very long 14-second period in the afternoon. The combined energy skyrockets from 3663 to 5548. This is powerful, deep water groundswell. The wind goes light at 6 mph from the S in the afternoon, turning it glassy and clean. It's going to be huge and challenging, but for the afternoon session, it is the absolute pinnacle of this forecast.
The swell stays big through Monday the 10th, hitting 13 feet with a 15-second period (9685 combined energy), but the wind is side-onshore from the NE, which will toss in some chop. The 10th and the 11th have serious energy, but the wind is messy. After the 12th, we're looking at knee-to-waist high, blown-out slop from strong NE winds all the way through to the end of the 16-day window on the 17th.
So for the best bet: Sunday the 2nd is clean and heavy. Sunday the 9th afternoon is the real standout – a massive, powerful S swell with glassy conditions. It's a big call, but it's the wave to chase.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sun afternoon, min 14°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri morning. Warm (max 22°C on Wed afternoon, min 17°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | NE 6 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
2373 | 2257 | 1654 | 1051 | 769 | 532 | 520 | 402 | 192 | 197 | 180 | 145 | 120 | 120 | 109 | 81 | 81 | 213 | 319 | 414 | 502 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:02PM1.94m | 6:10AM1.79m | 6:34PM1.88m | 6:42AM1.71m | 7:10PM1.78m | 7:20AM1.60m | 7:53PM1.66m | 8:10AM1.47m | 8:52PM1.51m | 9:31AM1.34m | 10:33PM1.41m | 11:49AM1.33m | 00:34AM1.45m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:47AM0.23m | 00:11AM0.36m | 12:17PM0.28m | 00:44AM0.43m | 12:50PM0.37m | 1:21AM0.53m | 1:29PM0.50m | 2:09AM0.65m | 2:21PM0.65m | 3:21AM0.77m | 3:49PM0.80m | 5:21AM0.80m | 6:06PM0.81m | ||||||||
6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
— | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 3 |
Temp °C | 19 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 26 | 21 | 20 |
Feels °C | 14 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 17 | 23 | 17 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 6 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | ENE 9 |
2373 | 2257 | 1654 | 1051 | 769 | 532 | 520 | 402 | 192 | 197 | 180 | 145 | 120 | 120 | 109 | 81 | 81 | 133 | 70 | 40 | 184 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | SSW 17 | S 5 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | — | SSW 12 | SSW 17 |
12 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 21 | 17 | 15 | 23 | 26 | 20 | 34 | 15 | 59 | 21 | 69 | 66 | 48 | — | 13 | 57 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 14 | S 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 10 | S 11 | — | E 11 | SW 11 | S 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 18 | NE 6 | SSW 15 | S 5 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | — | — | SSW 18 |
— | 15 | 12 | 26 | 25 | 8 | 2 | — | 83 | 5 | 2 | 22 | 62 | 11 | 77 | 8 | 52 | 42 | — | — | 124 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | ENE 4 | NE 5 | — | ENE 6 | — | S 6 | S 7 | — | — | ENE 3 | NE 6 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 7 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 12 | 65 | — | 46 | — | 64 | 89 | — | — | 3 | 213 | 319 | 414 | 502 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 219 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 155 | 238 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 154 | 665 |
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.











