Richards Bay (Inside) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a good, honest look at what’s cookin’ for Richards Bay over the next couple of weeks.

We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but there’s a real gem of a session waiting for us if you’re patient. The first few days, from Wednesday the 29th to Saturday the 1st of August, are a write-off. The wind is howling from the SSW and SW, with speeds up to 22 mph, and it’s ripping across the water. The swell is there, around 8 ft to 10 ft from the SSE, and the energy is massive (over 1300 up to 1791), but it’s just a mess out there – lumpy and blown out. Not worth paddling for.

Now, hold onto your board, because Sunday morning, the 2nd of August, is our standout. The stars align. The wind drops to a flat 3 mph from the SW, going glassy. Clean as a whistle. The swell is a solid 8 ft from the SE, with a period of 11 seconds, giving it good shape and energy (1256). This is groundswell, fellas, and it’s got some punch. The wind is offshore, so those waves are going to be holding up beautifully. It’s the best on offer, no question. Just be aware, Richards Bay (Inside) can get crowded sometimes, so get in early. The water temp is about what you’d expect for this time of year, nothing unusual.

After that, things drop off a cliff. Monday the 3rd is okay, with a clean morning on a smaller 5 ft swell from the ESE, but the wind picks up and the size fades fast. From Tuesday the 4th right through to Tuesday the 11th of August, we’re looking at a long, dry spell. The swell gets tiny, mostly under 3 ft, and the wind is either too strong or onshore, or just weird. The energy is weak (under 500). There’s a few glassy mornings in there, like Monday the 10th, but with only 4 ft from the E, it’s not going to get you out of bed.

Then, on Wednesday morning, the 12th of August, we get another flash of something big. The forecast shows a 10 ft swell from the S, with a period of 10 seconds and a massive energy reading of 1878. The wind is glassy early. But here’s the catch – that’s likely too much size for this break. It’s a sandbar setup, and 10 ft-plus is a big boy’s game. It’s a promising sight, but it’s a long way out and could be a mess. If you’re an expert and you want to see if it cleans up, mark the calendar. Don’t waste your time on the rest of that week.

Rusty.

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