Surf Forecasts:
North Beach surf forecast from 3 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 3 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, NE swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 17s period, S swell with 3,003 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 3 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period with NE 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 (Sep 03) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 2.5m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 12s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at North Beach in the next 16 days are 2.3m 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 6s period and expected on Friday (Sep 04) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for North Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break down the upcoming surf at North Beach. It’s gonna be a rough start, so don’t rush out there.
The first several days are a waste of gas. Thursday and Friday of this week are all chopped up with onshore wind and messy conditions. The swell is there, but it’s not surfable. Friday morning has a 8ft S swell with a short 8-second period, and the wind is cross-off, but it’s marginal at best. The afternoon is a big 10ft S swell, but with a fresh cross-shore wind and a lumpy surface, it’s a washout. Saturday and Sunday are more of the same: onshore wind, poor surf.
Monday the 7th is a real tease. We get a 7ft S swell with a very long 17-second period, which means some serious energy. The combined energy is massive, but the wind is a moderate cross-onshore, creating chop. It’s the kind of swell that would be incredible if it were clean, but it’s just not.
The first real standout is Saturday, September 12th, in the afternoon. The wind goes glassy, with a light 3 mph breeze. The swell is a clean 5ft from the S at 9 seconds, and the combined energy is solid. The guidance says “expect very good surf conditions,” and that’s the truth. This is the only window where the wind is dead calm. The water tempertaure is about 69°, which is normal for this time of year.
There’s a small chance on Monday the 14th with a 3ft S swell at 14 seconds and a light cross-shore wind, but it’s only marginal.
The rest of the second week is the same song: onshore winds, lumpy conditions, and poor surf. The swell energy is there, but the wind is a constant problem.
So, don’t hold your breath for the first week. The best call is Saturday afternoon, September 12th, at North Beach. The glassy conditions and 5ft S swell will give you a fun, clean session. It’s good for intermediates, and the crowds can be there sometimes, so keep your head on a swivel. Everything else is just a mess.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Fri morning. Warm (max 33°C on Thu afternoon, min 17°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Thu night, light winds from the NNE by Sat night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sun afternoon. Warm (max 22°C on Tue afternoon, min 16°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the E on Sun afternoon, fresh winds from the ENE by Tue afternoon). | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | ENE 9 | S 8 | S 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | S 21 | S 17 | S 16 | S 14 | S 12 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 410 | 377 | 875 | 1380 | 1461 | 903 | 508 | 290 | 202 | 160 | 436 | 3003 | 1727 | 622 | 368 | 405 | 422 | 336 | 602 | 1056 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 7:14PM1.63m | 7:38AM1.45m | 8:11PM1.44m | 9:12AM1.29m | 10:28PM1.30m | 12:19PM1.33m | 00:53AM1.40m | 1:37PM1.54m | 1:54AM1.59m | 2:21PM1.75m | 2:35AM1.76m | 2:57PM1.93m | 3:10AM1.90m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:31AM0.65m | 1:46PM0.74m | 2:44AM0.82m | 3:39PM0.92m | 5:32AM0.86m | 6:39PM0.85m | 7:14AM0.69m | 7:49PM0.65m | 8:04AM0.49m | 8:32PM0.45m | 8:43AM0.32m | 9:07PM0.29m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  |  | |  | | | | |  | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — |
 | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — |
mm | — | — | 3 | 4 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 33 | 28 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 20 |
Feels °C | 28 | 24 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 19 | 19 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | S 17 | S 16 | S 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 10 | SE 9 | SSE 9 | ENE 8 |
| kJ | 75 | 377 | 82 | 47 | 1461 | 903 | 508 | 290 | 202 | 160 | 103 | 3003 | 1727 | 622 | 368 | 216 | 77 | 22 | 16 | 621 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 10 | NE 8 | E 10 | E 10 | E 8 | E 10 | SE 8 | S 11 | S 10 | — | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | S 16 | — | S 9 | SE 12 | SSE 9 |
| kJ | — | — | 70 | 14 | 49 | 49 | 99 | 277 | 93 | 143 | 98 | — | 46 | 31 | 21 | 5 | — | 7 | 5 | 9 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | S 17 | S 15 | E 10 | SSW 12 | S 11 | SE 8 | S 21 | — | — | S 20 | S 18 | — | SW 17 | S 11 | S 18 | S 16 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 23 | 112 | 71 | 47 | 149 | 59 | 436 | — | — | 7 | 6 | — | 11 | 9 | 6 | 5 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | SSW 6 | S 8 | S 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 4 | E 5 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
| kJ | 410 | 229 | 875 | 1380 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 20 | 78 | 93 | 155 | 209 | 405 | 422 | 336 | 602 | 1056 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 219 | 139 | 1424 | 665 | 1241 | 802 | 5 | 1241 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 107 | 907 | 5 | 476 | 695 | 5 | 423 | 555 |
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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