Surf Forecasts:
North Beach surf forecast from 27 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 30 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 2 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period, E swell with 2,071 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 28 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 18s period with SSW 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 (Jul 28) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 1.0m and 6s 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 11s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) 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 1.4m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 30) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Tue 28th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Thu 30th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for North Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk about North Beach in feet and miles per hour. There’s just one break to work with here, and it’s an intermediate beach and pier spot that’s fairly consistent but totally exposed to the swell. Water’s about 73°F, which is normal for this time of year, nothing unusual.
The first few days are a waste. From Monday 27 July through to Friday 31 July, the surf is either poor or marginal, with messy wind and weak, short-period swell. You’ve got a solid four-day stretch where you’re better off doing something else.
It starts to get a pulse around Sunday 2 August. Swell hits about 8ft from the ESE with a 10-second period, and the energy is strong (1264). Wind is cross-onshore from the northeast, so it’ll be a bit choppy. That size is getting big for beginners, but intermediates should find some fun, if a little bumpy.
The real highlight comes on Saturday 8 August in the afternoon. The swell surges to 10ft from the south, with a 9-second period and very strong energy (1296). And the wind? Light and gentle from the SSW—clean, almost glassy. That’s a beautiful combination, but the forecast is clear: this swell is too big for the break. It’s an expert’s game only. Beginners, stay on the beach.
After that, the second week is mostly poor. The wind stays cross-onshore, and the surf is messy and lumpy. There is a small window on 11 August with a long-period south swell (17 seconds, 3ft), but that’s not great for a beach break—it’ll likely close out or run straight.
So, if you’re experienced, the afternoon of Saturday 8 August is your standout. For intermediates, Sunday 2 August morning is your best shot, even with the chop.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 40mm), heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 20°C on Mon afternoon, min 14°C on Wed afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the E on Mon afternoon, fresh winds from the SSW by Tue night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Fri afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Sat afternoon, min 16°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Thu afternoon, calm by Sat night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | ||||||||||||||
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 7 | S 12 | SSW 18 | S 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 8 | S 9 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 11 | E 11 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 68 | 76 | 174 | 312 | 782 | 537 | 510 | 464 | 660 | 908 | 1836 | 638 | 582 | 493 | 615 | 606 | 1004 | 1250 | 1673 | 1739 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:06PM1.60m | 3:13AM1.67m | 3:38PM1.73m | 3:44AM1.75m | 4:07PM1.83m | 4:14AM1.81m | 4:36PM1.91m | 4:43AM1.85m | 5:04PM1.95m | 5:11AM1.85m | 5:33PM1.96m | 5:40AM1.84m | 6:02PM1.94m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:09PM0.58m | 9:25AM0.43m | 9:42PM0.47m | 9:54AM0.34m | 10:13PM0.39m | 10:23AM0.27m | 10:43PM0.34m | 10:50AM0.23m | 11:12PM0.31m | 11:18AM0.21m | 11:41PM0.32m | 11:47AM0.23m | 00:11AM0.36m | |||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  | | | | |  | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — |
 | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — |
mm | — | 4 | 2 | 5 | 18 | 2 | 5 | 4 | — | 1 | — | 1 | 3 | 3 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 |
Feels °C | 19 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | E 10 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | E 10 | SSE 9 | SSW 14 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 11 | E 11 |
| kJ | 68 | 22 | 174 | 146 | 67 | 537 | 510 | 464 | 660 | 48 | 1146 | 73 | 582 | 493 | 615 | 606 | 1004 | 1250 | 1673 | 1739 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | S 12 | E 9 | E 9 | SSW 15 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | SSW 15 | — | SSW 14 | — | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | S 13 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 |
| kJ | 63 | 76 | 41 | 42 | 126 | 113 | 165 | 88 | 172 | — | 116 | — | 34 | 51 | 21 | 19 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 9 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 11 | ESE 10 | S 11 | — | — | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | E 9 | — | E 10 | — | SSW 17 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | — | — | S 15 | S 14 | S 18 |
| kJ | 25 | 31 | 22 | — | — | 118 | 116 | 77 | 62 | — | 17 | — | 54 | 16 | 35 | — | — | 4 | 16 | 6 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 5 | S 6 | S 7 | SSE 8 | — | — | WSW 4 | SW 6 | S 8 | S 9 | SSE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 55 | 69 | 312 | 782 | — | — | 8 | 128 | 908 | 1836 | 638 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 1 | 48 | 907 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 275 | 330 | 1 | 54 | 1 | 0 | 48 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 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.
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