North Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 29.84° S 31.04° E

North Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 am 31 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's North Beach sea temperature is
20.6°C
0.8° 

North Beach surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


North Beach surf forecast from 31 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 11s period, SSE swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 16s period, S swell with 11,322 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 6s 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 01) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 14s. 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 5.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 03) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Tue 1st Sep)4ft (1.2m) 6s
Best Surf 5PM (Fri 4th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 11s
Most Powerful 5AM (Mon 7th Sep)16ft (5.0m) 16s

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 North Beach has in store for us. Straight up, this is a forecast that’s going to test your patience. The first solid surfable window doesn’t arrive until the morning of Thursday, September 3rd, and even then it’s a bit of a mixed bag. We’re looking at a long gap of nothing really worth paddling out for from now until then.

The water is sitting at 69°, which is about 2° cooler than usual for this time of year. Nothing wild, just a little nippy, so you might want a thin spring suit.

Let’s get into it. The first real pulse of energy shows up on Thursday the 3rd in the morning. We’ve got a 8 ft swell coming from the NE, with a short period of 8 seconds. The combined energy is strong though, at 1075. The problem is the wind. It’s a moderate cross-shore from the NNE at 15 mph, which is going to create a bit of a cross-chop. It’s marginal, but if you’re desperate, it’s the first real chance. The afternoon sees that swell bump up to 8 ft from the ENE, but the wind swings onshore and gets fresh at 19 mph, making it lumpy and messy. Not worth it.

Now, Friday the 4th afternoon is where things get interesting but also a bit dangerous. A big southerly swell hits 12 ft with an 11-second period, and the combined energy absolutely pumps to 2696. The wind is cross-shore and fresh at 22 mph, but the forecast says tide and wind are favorable. However, this is way too big for a beach break like North Beach. This is expert-only, and honestly, it’s going to be a washing machine. Unless you’re a charger, give it a miss.

The standout of the whole period, and I mean the one to really circle on your calendar, is the morning of Sunday, September 6th. We’ve got an 12 ft swell from the S, with a 9-second period. The energy is massive at 1905. And here’s the kicker: the wind is a clean cross-offshore from the SSW at 19 mph. The forecast is calling it clean. This is the best window. It’s still big, definitely for experienced surfers only, but the conditions are lined up. The afternoon on the 6th gets even bigger at 13 ft, but the wind howls to 31 mph, turning it into a complete mess. Stick to the morning.

The following week from Monday the 7th through Wednesday the 9th is all about massive, clean, cross-offshore swells, but the size stays well over 12 ft and up to 15 ft. The energy readings are monstrous, hitting 7106 and 10712. This is not a paddle surfing situation for most. This is big-wave territory, possibly more interesting for the kite crew than your average surfer.

After that, the swell drops back down, but the wind turns onshore again, and the quality disappears. The 10th of September offers a smaller 7 ft to 8 ft ESE swell with clean cross-shore winds, but the energy is moderate and the conditions are just marginal. A decent option for a quieter, less intense session, but nothing compared to the 6th.

So, to wrap it up: the best on offer is undeniably the morning of Sunday, September 6th. That’s your window for clean, powerful, albeit big, surf. The weekend of the 7th through 9th is for the elite crew only. Everything else is either blown out, too small, or just plain poor. Keep your eyes on the charts, and don’t be afraid to wait for the right one.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 22°C on Tue afternoon, min 18°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Fri morning. Warm (max 32°C on Thu afternoon, min 17°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Thu night, calm by Sat night).

Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
2
0
0
0
!
!
3
1
3
!
0
!
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
E
9
1.3
E
10
1.1
E
9
1
E
9
1.1
E
8
1.3
E
7
1.1
ENE
8
0.7
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
16
2.4
NE
8
2.5
ENE
8
1.9
SSW
7
1.4
S
7
3.5
SSE
11
3
S
11
2.5
SSE
10
2.1
SSE
9
1.5
SE
9
3.5
S
9
4
S
9
4.5
S
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
207
312
202
157
177
152
159
259
329
664
798
340
181
2555
2101
1288
723
326
1797
2598
4826
Wind (km/h)
15
S
10
SE
15
NNE
15
NE
15
ENE
5
N
25
S
15
S
10
NNE
25
NNE
30
NE
45
SSW
30
S
30
S
15
SSE
10
E
15
ENE
5
NW
30
S
50
SSW
40
SW
Wind State
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
on
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
5:32PM2.04m
5:42AM1.88m
6:03PM1.95m
6:14AM1.78m
6:36PM1.81m
6:50AM1.63m
7:14PM1.63m
7:38AM1.45m
8:11PM1.44m
9:12AM1.29m
10:28PM1.30m
12:19PM1.33m
00:53AM1.40m
Low Tide
11:19AM0.15m
11:42PM0.26m
11:48AM0.23m
00:13AM0.35m
12:20PM0.36m
00:47AM0.49m
12:57PM0.54m
1:31AM0.65m
1:46PM0.74m
2:44AM0.82m
3:39PM0.92m
5:32AM0.86m
6:39PM0.85m
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
rain showers
light rain
light rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
heavy rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:11
6:11
6:09
6:09
6:07
6:07
6:05
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:39
5:39
5:40
5:40
5:42
5:42
5:43
 mm
2
1
4
3
2
4
13
Temp °C
19
20
20
21
22
21
22
20
20
31
32
22
19
19
18
18
18
18
20
20
16
Feels °C
20
20
22
20
21
22
19
18
21
26
28
16
17
14
13
17
16
17
16
15
10
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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