Richards Bay (Inside) surfForecast / KZN North / South Africa

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 1 am Saturday 20 Dec 2025 SAST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Richards Bay (Inside) surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Richards Bay (Inside) sea temperature is
24.5° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Richards Bay (Inside) this week:

The surf forecast for Richards Bay (Inside) over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Dec 20) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Richards Bay (Inside) in the next 12 days are 1.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Dec 21) 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 2.2m 9s period and expected on Wednesday (Dec 24) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8AM (Sat 20th Dec)3ft (0.9m) 11s
Best Surf11PM (Sat 20th Dec)4ft (1.2m) 17s
Most Powerful 5AM (Sun 21st Dec)5ft (1.5m) 16s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Richards Bay (Inside) over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Moderate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Sat night. Warm (max 27°C on Mon afternoon, min 21°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat morning, fresh winds from the NE by Mon afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 45mm), heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 29°C on Tue afternoon, min 21°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NE on Tue afternoon, calm by Wed night).

Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
Thursday
25
Friday
26
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
2
1
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1
E
1.1
E
1.4
S
1.3
S
1.1
S
0.8
S
0.8
S
0.8
S
1.4
E
1.7
E
2.2
E
1.8
E
1.5
E
1.4
ESE
1.5
ESE
1.3
ESE
1.2
ESE
1.2
ESE
1.2
ESE
1.3
ESE
1.1
ESE
Period(s) (?)981615141214147888999999999
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)1611611055711456199268259198346619460355311352295248248227260211
Wind
(km/h)
10
SSE
15
E
10
NE
20
NE
25
ENE
15
NNE
25
NE
30
NE
15
N
30
NE
35
NE
10
N
20
ENE
15
E
20
SSW
25
SSW
20
S
20
SSW
15
S
15
SE
10
SSW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
oncross-
on
crosscrosscrosscross-
off
crosscrosscross-
off
crosscrosscross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
oncross
High Tide
/ height (m)
4:02PM
1.77
4:23AM
1.73
4:33PM
1.79
4:55AM
1.74
5:04PM
1.78
5:28AM
1.74
5:36PM
1.76
6:02AM
1.72
6:10PM
1.70
6:40AM
1.69
6:47PM
1.62
7:22AM
1.64
7:31PM
1.52
Low Tide
/ height (m)
9:52AM
0.28
10:13PM
0.20
10:24AM
0.26
10:44PM
0.18
10:56AM
0.27
11:16PM
0.18
11:29AM
0.30
11:48PM
0.20
12:05PM
0.35
12:23AM
0.25
12:44PM
0.41
1:01AM
0.32
1:30PM
0.49
1:46AM
0.41
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
Thursday
25
Friday
26
Sunrise4:48--4:48--4:50--4:50--4:50--4:50--4:52--
Sunset-6:47--6:47--6:49--6:49--6:50--6:50--6:51-
clear
part cloud
mod rain
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
Rain (mm)
--91---------3384----2
Temp. °C262624252523262723282925282625232422222322
Feels °C (?)272726252422232421252626282829222221212222
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder

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Information about the Richards Bay (Inside) Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Richards Bay (Inside) provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 12 days. A general guide to surfing at Richards Bay (Inside) can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Richards Bay (Inside) 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 (Richards Bay (Inside)) 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 Richards Bay (Inside) 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.

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