
Surf Forecasts:
North Beach surf forecast from 11 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 13s period, SSW swell with 4,841 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 11 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 13s period with S 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 11) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 8s. 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 13s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 5s period and expected on Friday (Jul 17) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sat 11th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 2PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for North Beach over the next 16 days.
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's coming our way at North Beach over the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, the outlook is *really* average. Surf is on the small side, with the swell hovering around 4 ft to 5 ft through Saturday the 11th and Sunday the 12th. The energy is moderate (875) but the swell is coming from the south, which isn't ideal for this spot. There are a couple of glassy windows though – Sunday afternoon the wind is set to go glassy and that 4 ft south swell at 12 seconds will look cleaner than it should. It's not a standout, but it's the best of a weak bunch.
Monday the 13th and Tuesday the 14th keep the same story: small, short-period swell mixing in from the east-southeast. The combined wave energy is in the moderate range (under 500). Tuesday afternoon looks promising on paper with a 5 ft east-southeast swell and glassy winds, but it's still just a marginal call. For a real highlight, you have to look ahead.
Now, things get interesting – and dangerous – around Friday the 17th of July. A big S/SSW swell shows up. Friday afternoon sees the swell jumping to 10 ft at 9 seconds from the south, with a massive 1759 combined energy and strong offshore winds. However, this is predicted to be too big for North Beach and only suited to experts. Saturday the 18th is the same story: a 10 ft swell from the SSW with 13-second period, and the energy rockets to an extreme 5090. The winds are clean cross-off, but honestly, the size is intimidating. This setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing unless you're a seasoned charger.
After that big pulse, things get messy. By Sunday the 19th, strong cross-onshore wind kicks up and swells remain solid (8 ft) but the quality is gone. The rest of the week drops off into small, onshore slop with very little to recommend. There is a clean window on Thursday the 23rd afternoon with 5 ft from the east-northeast (495 energy) and light cross-shore breeze, but the period is only 8 seconds, so expect weak, crumbly waves. By the final weekend (25th-26th), the swell fades to under 3 ft, with longer period but next to no size. Honestly, the standout is that Saturday the 18th – but only for the brave. For everyone else, Tuesday the 14th afternoon offers the cleanest, most accessible little waves in a pretty barren stretch.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Sat night. Warm (max 20°C on Mon afternoon, min 15°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Wed afternoon, min 16°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | E 8 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 7 | S 9 | SSW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
822 | 852 | 715 | 480 | 327 | 123 | 208 | 316 | 310 | 215 | 415 | 442 | 388 | 397 | 509 | 440 | 520 | 492 | 432 | 1601 | 4841 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy | glassy | off | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:19PM1.52m | 1:44AM1.67m | 2:23PM1.66m | 2:41AM1.77m | 3:15PM1.80m | 3:30AM1.86m | 4:01PM1.92m | 4:14AM1.92m | 4:43PM1.98m | 4:55AM1.93m | 5:23PM2.00m | 5:34AM1.89m | 6:01PM1.96m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:27PM0.59m | 8:08AM0.46m | 8:29PM0.48m | 8:59AM0.33m | 9:22PM0.37m | 9:45AM0.22m | 10:08PM0.29m | 10:27AM0.16m | 10:51PM0.26m | 11:06AM0.15m | 11:31PM0.27m | 11:44AM0.18m | 00:10AM0.32m | ||||||||
6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | |
— | 5:10 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:14 | — | |
mm | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 16 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 11 | 8 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | SSE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | S 14 |
822 | 852 | 715 | 480 | 327 | 91 | 208 | 316 | 310 | 195 | 415 | 442 | 388 | 397 | 509 | 440 | 520 | 492 | 230 | 158 | 2877 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SE 9 | E 9 | SSW 10 | S 9 | SSW 9 | SSE 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSW 15 | NE 6 | — | E 10 |
14 | 23 | 21 | 48 | 29 | 45 | 157 | 151 | 104 | 215 | 37 | 19 | 16 | 8 | 10 | 14 | 8 | 45 | 9 | — | 120 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | ENE 6 | E 9 | E 9 | S 11 | S 14 | S 14 | — | S 10 | SSW 10 | SSE 9 | S 16 | SSE 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | S 8 | SSE 8 | — | — | — |
— | — | 14 | 14 | 16 | 123 | 62 | 33 | — | 52 | 33 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 1 | 7 | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | NE 6 | SSW 7 | S 9 | SSW 13 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 104 | 432 | 1601 | 4841 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 665 | 685 | 1 |
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.










