
Surf Forecasts:
North Beach surf forecast from 25 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 10s period, SSE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 1 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 11s period, SE swell with 860 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 25 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 10s period with SSE 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 Saturday (Jul 25) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 15s. 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 1.9m 11s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 01) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Monday (Jul 27) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sat 25th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Sat 25th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sat 1st Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for North Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s shaping up for North Beach over the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, the start of this outlook is a bit of a slow burn. The first few days are a struggle, with a lot of onshore and cross-onshore wind messing up the waves. The water temp is sitting at 73°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so that’s a nice little bonus for the wait.
Saturday the 26th and Sunday the 27th look pretty poor. The swell is there but it’s choppy and blown out, with moderate breezes making things ugly. Not worth paddling out for.
We finally get a bit of a window on Monday the 28th. The morning has a clean, cross-off breeze with a 6 ft S swell, but the period is a short 8 seconds, so the shape will be a bit fat and closey. The wind is a bit fresh, so it’s not a total washout, but it’s not a standout either.
Now, the real gem in this forecast is Wednesday morning, July 30th. The morning is glassy, dead calm, with a clean 5 ft swell from the SE at 9 seconds. The combined swell energy is moderate (527), but that glassy wind is the key – it’s going to be super clean, with good shape. The crowds are "sometimes" at North Beach, so you might share it with a few others, but it’ll be worth it. This is the pick of the bunch for the first week.
Things get a bit messy again through the end of July and into the start of August. A lot of NE wind and cross-onshore conditions keep the quality low. The swell is pushing up to 6 ft on the 1st of August, but that wind is making it choppy and difficult.
The standout of the entire 16-day window is Monday afternoon, August 4th. The wind goes glassy again, and we’ve got a solid 7 ft groundswell from the ESE with a long 12-second period. The combined energy is strong (1122), so this is a powerful, punchy swell. The period is long, so it’ll be better for a point or reef, but at North Beach (a beach/pier setup), it might break a bit straight. Still, for experienced surfers, this is the best on offer – clean, powerful, and consistent. The forecast is a bit further out, so it’s not a lock, but it’s got real potential.
After that, the final week of the outlook drops off again with strong winds and messy conditions. The 7th of August has a big 25 mph cross-off wind, but the swell is tiny and confused. Not worth the effort.
In summary, don’t rush out this weekend. Wait for the glassy morning on the 30th of July, or pin your hopes on that Monday the 4th of August. That’s your best chance at something special.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 20°C on Mon afternoon, min 14°C on Sun morning). Winds increasing (calm on Sat night, fresh winds from the SSW by Mon night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Wed morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Tue afternoon, calm by Thu morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SSW 13 | NE 6 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | S 6 | SSW 18 | S 8 | S 9 | SSW 17 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SE 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
487 | 472 | 450 | 300 | 229 | 171 | 233 | 64 | 182 | 243 | 323 | 854 | 487 | 339 | 346 | 336 | 393 | 314 | 390 | 480 | 860 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | glassy | on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 1:42PM1.33m | 1:52AM1.47m | 2:30PM1.47m | 2:37AM1.57m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:39PM0.81m | 8:16AM0.66m | 8:30PM0.69m | 8:53AM0.54m | 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 | ||||||||
6:45 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | |
— | 5:19 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 15 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | SSW 12 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SE 11 |
487 | 472 | 450 | 300 | 179 | 68 | 85 | 64 | 50 | 243 | 203 | 547 | 422 | 339 | 346 | 336 | 393 | 314 | 390 | 480 | 860 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SSW 14 | ESE 10 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | S 11 | ESE 11 | SSW 14 |
123 | 174 | 118 | 236 | 229 | 76 | 24 | 63 | 31 | 42 | 45 | 64 | 487 | 320 | 90 | 106 | 73 | 78 | 36 | 43 | 18 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 19 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | ENE 6 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 15 | E 9 | E 9 | SSW 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | SSW 16 | S 10 | — |
63 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 75 | 45 | 41 | 15 | 22 | 39 | 84 | 81 | 87 | 154 | 85 | 75 | 60 | 53 | 31 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NE 3 | ENE 4 | NE 6 | NE 7 | — | S 6 | S 7 | S 8 | S 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | — |
— | — | — | 2 | 17 | 171 | 233 | — | 182 | 173 | 323 | 854 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 155 | 0 | 5 | 695 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 285 | 802 | 1240 | 48 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 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.










