
Surf Forecasts:
North Beach surf forecast from 8 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 10 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 14s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 10 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 15s period, S swell with 2,016 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 9 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 15s 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 Thursday (Jul 09) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 0.7m 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 2.1m 15s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 10) at 11AM. 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 6s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 09) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Thu 9th Jul) | 1ft (0.3m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Fri 10th Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Fri 10th Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for North Beach over the next 16 days.
Alright, let’s break this down.
Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you: the next week and a half is a tough stretch for North Beach. We’ve got some swell around, but the conditions just aren't cooperating for any proper sessions until the second weekend. It's not a total blank, but you'll be waiting a while for the good stuff.
The first few days are a write-off. From Wednesday the 8th to Thursday the 10th, we’re looking at tiny 1ft to 2ft SE and S swells with poor quality and cross-onshore junk. Not worth paddling out for. There’s a bit more size showing on Friday the 10th with a 7ft S swell (combined energy of all swells directed here sits at 2054, so there’s plenty of juice in the water). This is a long period 15-second groundswell, which could offer some good shape, but the wind is cross-shore at 6 mph, and the wave comment flags it as marginal—likely tide dependent. That swell hangs around into Saturday the 11th, dropping to 5ft with a 13-second period, and winds go almost glassy at 3 mph out of the south. That’s a chance for some cleaner waves, but the reports are still calling it marginal. Crowds are *sometimes* an issue here, so you might have some company.
Sunday the 12th sees the swell fade to 4ft, with light cross-shore breezes. It’s small but might offer a few fun ones if you’re desperate. Then Monday and Tuesday are rough with strong NE winds and windswell making it messy. By Tuesday the 14th, there’s a brief window of 4ft from the east with clean, cross-off winds from the SSW—worth a look for a quiet session.
Now, here’s the standout. Circle Saturday the 18th. That morning, the wind goes dead calm, glassy, and we’ve got a 3ft east swell rolling in with a 10-second period. Combined energy is only 229, so it’s weak, but clean conditions are the highlight. The water temperature is about 73°, said to be average for this time of year. For North Beach, a glassy morning on a small E swell is your best bet in this entire window. It’s not big, but it’ll be clean and fun on a log or fish.
After that, Sunday the 19th through Monday the 20th gets blown out again with strong NE winds and lumpy, messy surf. A long-period SSW groundswell arrives on the 22nd and 23rd, with 4ft and a 16-second period—proper energy (combined energy of all swells directed here at 1308 on the 22nd). But winds are moderate and cross-shore or cross-on, so it’s going to be chopped up. That deep-period south swell is best suited for a point or reef, but at North Beach, it may close out.
So, if you’re patient, Saturday the 18th morning is the one to chase. Otherwise, look to the 10th and 11th for the biggest but most average waves. No need to hold your breath for the rest.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 22°C on Wed afternoon, min 17°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sun morning. Warm (max 20°C on Mon afternoon, min 16°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun night, fresh winds from the NE by Mon afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wed 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SSW 15 | S 15 | S 14 | S 13 | S 15 | S 15 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | E 6 | S 11 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | ESE 8 | E 9 | E 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
30 | 43 | 113 | 843 | 772 | 2016 | 1881 | 1155 | 736 | 594 | 529 | 409 | 271 | 178 | 160 | 196 | 223 | 223 | 235 | 372 | 430 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | on | off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | on |
High Tide | 9:47PM1.55m | 10:21AM1.38m | 11:11PM1.53m | 11:57AM1.41m | 00:35AM1.58m | 1:19PM1.52m | 1:44AM1.67m | 2:23PM1.66m | 2:41AM1.77m | 3:15PM1.80m | 3:30AM1.86m | 4:01PM1.92m | 4:14AM1.92m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:12PM0.63m | 4:16AM0.72m | 4:34PM0.69m | 5:45AM0.69m | 6:07PM0.68m | 7:05AM0.60m | 7:27PM0.59m | 8:08AM0.46m | 8:29PM0.48m | 8:59AM0.33m | 9:22PM0.37m | 9:45AM0.22m | 10:08PM0.29m | 10:27AM0.16m | |||||||
— | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | |
5:09 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:13 | — | 5:13 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 7 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
Feels °C | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 20 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SSW 5 | S 15 | S 14 | S 13 | S 15 | S 15 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | E 6 | S 11 | S 14 | E 8 | E 8 | ESE 8 | E 9 | E 9 |
30 | 31 | 113 | 843 | 772 | 2016 | 1881 | 1155 | 736 | 594 | 529 | 409 | 271 | 113 | 160 | 131 | 223 | 223 | 235 | 372 | 430 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | ENE 6 | S 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ESE 6 | E 6 | E 6 | S 11 | S 15 | S 10 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 |
8 | 37 | 38 | 40 | 39 | 31 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 24 | 31 | 53 | 54 | 160 | 104 | 78 | 153 | 110 | 73 | 48 | 29 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | SSW 15 | ENE 8 | ESE 9 | SE 15 | SE 14 | SE 13 | SE 12 | — | — | ENE 8 | — | E 9 | S 15 | S 15 | E 8 | S 12 | SSW 12 | — | SSE 9 | SSE 9 |
17 | 43 | 35 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | — | — | 20 | — | 13 | 38 | 104 | 22 | 113 | 55 | — | 8 | 8 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 4 | SSW 5 | S 7 | — | — | — | S 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 6 | E 6 | E 7 | NNE 5 | — | — | — | — |
5 | 61 | 56 | — | — | — | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 178 | 116 | 196 | 29 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 432 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 423 | 1 | 153 | 139 | 0 | 5 |
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.











