Richards Bay (Inside) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Looking at the charts for Richards Bay (Inside) over the next couple of weeks, the opening act is a ripper but you’ll want to pick your moments carefully after that. This is a sandbar set-up that’s fairly exposed to the south, and it’s consistent, so there’s always a chance. The water temp is sitting at 72°, which is pretty much spot on for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The standout window is Friday the 10th morning. It’s glassy – dead calm, zero wind – with a solid 6ft south groundswell rolling in on a long 15-second period. The combined energy is strong at 1542, and the conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. That 6ft is pushing the limit for beginners, but for anyone with a bit of time in the water, the wave quality and clean surface will be magic. The swell direction is directly from the south, which matches the optimum for this break. It’s going to be a proper session. Expect a few other folks out though – crowds are listed as sometimes.

As the day goes on Friday the 10th afternoon, the onshore kicks up and the size jumps to 7ft, but it gets messy with a cross-onshore wind. Not the one.

Saturday the 11th is a write-off with a cross-shore wind and dropping size. Sunday the 12th is similar, with stormy vibes and a smaller 4ft swell. Monday the 13th morning looks tempting with glassy conditions again, but that swell is only 5ft from the east-southeast with a short 7-second period, so the energy is weak (390) – it’ll be crumby and inconsistent. The rest of the first week is a real mixed bag of onshores and small, short-period windswell. Nothing worth paddling out for.

There’s a quiet spell from here. Tuesday the 14th through to Saturday the 18th are all marginal to poor, with small waves and nasty winds. Sunday the 19th is tiny and weak. You’re looking at a gap of nearly a week with no real recommendations.

Then we get a little flicker. Monday the 20th morning: clean again with a 6ft south swell, but the period is a short 6 seconds – so it’s weak energy (357) and the waves will be a bit mushy. Surfable if you’re desperate, but not special. Tuesday the 21st morning is glassy and 4ft from the south-southeast with an 11-second period, which is okay.

The next real highlight is a long-range standout. Thursday the 23rd morning, about two weeks out. Glassy conditions, a solid 7ft south swell with a 12-second period, and strong combined energy of 1245. That’s a proper groundswell – waves will have good shape and power, but at 7ft it’s getting into big territory for the less experienced. The afternoon jumps to 8ft, so that’s expert-only water.

Friday the 24th holds a good 7ft south swell but with a cross-shore wind, so it’s a bit bumpy. The run through the 25th and beyond fades out into smaller, onshore conditions.

Bottom line: if you’re after the best of the next two weeks, it’s Friday the 10th morning. Get in early, because that glassy 6ft south groundswell will be firing Richards Bay inside. The following Thursday the 23rd morning could also be an epic session but it’s a long way off, so keep an eye on the charts.

Rusty

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