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

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 7 am Tuesday 12 May 2026 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
24.1° 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 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (May 12) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 16s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Richards Bay (Inside) in the next 16 days are 3.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (May 14) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Sunday (May 17) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Tue 12th May)4ft (1.2m) 16s
Best Surf 2AM (Thu 14th May)10ft (3.0m) 15s
Most Powerful 2AM (Thu 14th May)10ft (3.0m) 15s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Richards Bay (Inside) over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 27°C on Tue afternoon, min 19°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Wed night, calm by Thu morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Fri night. Warm (max 25°C on Fri afternoon, min 18°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
12
Wednesday
13
Thursday
14
Friday
15
Saturday
16
Sunday
17
Monday
18
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
2
2
0
!
4
2
2
2
1
0
0
2
3
2
0
1
2
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
S
14
1.1
S
17
0.9
SSW
14
1.1
S
14
1.2
S
13
3
S
15
2.1
S
13
1.7
S
12
1.3
S
12
1.1
S
12
1.5
S
16
1.6
S
15
1.5
S
14
1.6
S
13
1.4
S
13
1.2
S
12
1.1
S
12
0.8
S
12
0.8
S
13
0.8
S
12
1.7
S
6
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
198
725
331
496
495
3814
1475
883
456
339
1087
1070
865
878
653
409
339
177
222
184
214
Wind (km/h)
5
SW
10
ESE
10
WSW
5
S
15
SSE
20
S
0
SSE
10
ENE
15
NNE
15
N
10
SSW
25
SW
15
S
10
SE
5
NW
10
NE
20
ENE
15
NNE
5
NNE
15
ENE
5
WNW
cross
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-on
on
off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
High Tide
12:33PM1.41m
1:00AM1.63m
1:23PM1.55m
1:43AM1.80m
2:05PM1.69m
2:23AM1.93m
2:44PM1.80m
3:03AM2.01m
3:24PM1.88m
3:43AM2.04m
4:03PM1.91m
4:23AM2.00m
4:44PM1.89m
Low Tide
6:36PM0.49m
7:17AM0.42m
7:23PM0.34m
7:59AM0.26m
8:05PM0.21m
8:38AM0.13m
8:46PM0.10m
9:16AM0.05m
9:27PM0.03m
9:55AM0.01m
10:08PM0.02m
10:34AM0.04m
10:50PM0.08m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
thunderstorm
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:24
6:24
6:26
6:26
6:26
6:28
6:28
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:09
5:08
5:08
5:07
5:07
5:07
5:07
3
2
2
1
1
5
Temp °C
26
27
22
25
25
23
19
20
20
23
25
21
22
22
22
22
23
21
22
24
22
24
25
21
24
23
20
20
21
20
23
26
21
20
21
22
22
21
20
23
23
23
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
S
14
1.1
S
17
0.9
SSW
14
1.1
S
14
1.2
S
13
3
S
15
2.1
S
13
1.7
S
12
1.3
S
12
1.1
S
12
1.5
S
16
1.6
S
15
1.5
S
14
1.6
S
13
1.4
S
13
1.2
S
12
1.1
S
12
0.8
S
12
0.8
S
13
0.8
S
12
0.4
E
8
Energy kJ
198
725
331
496
495
3814
1475
883
456
339
1087
1070
865
878
653
409
339
177
222
184
21
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
ENE
6
0.2
SSE
12
0.5
S
18
0.3
ENE
8
0.2
E
8
0.3
ENE
8
0.3
ENE
8
0.2
E
8
0.2
S
16
0.6
E
5
0.5
E
6
0.5
E
6
0.4
E
7
0.4
E
8
0.4
E
8
0.4
E
8
0.1
SW
15
0.6
E
5
0.4
E
7
0.6
ENE
6
0.1
NE
6
Energy kJ
24
13
162
13
5
12
11
5
21
17
16
18
17
18
18
18
8
19
16
30
1
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
SE
12
0.2
E
8
0.3
ENE
6
0.2
E
8
0.1
NE
6
0.1
NE
6
0.2
E
8
0.6
S
15
0.8
ENE
6
0.2
E
8
0.4
SE
8
0.4
SE
7
0.3
SE
7
0.2
E
11
Energy kJ
22
6
7
5
1
1
5
165
36
6
23
14
7
9
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
E
6
0.3
SSE
2
0.6
NE
4
0.7
SSW
4
1.4
S
6
1
S
6
0.9
ENE
4
0.8
NNE
4
0.6
NE
5
1.7
S
6
Energy kJ
20
1
14
11
143
69
23
24
16
214
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
3
2
2
3
5
4
3
2
2
3
4
2
3
3
2
2
1
2
1
1
Distance (km)
1
141
0
0
513
123
0
36
0
0
0
98
155
156
0
0
156
0
0
155
0
Best forecast wave conditions in KwaZulu-Natal North Coast
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
2
3
5
4
4
2
3
4
4
3
2
2
2
2
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa
Rating
(10 max)
9
4
4
5
4
9
4
4
4
5
5
4
4
4
3
3
4
3
3
3
3
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
9
8
9
9
6
9
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
4
5
5
5
4
6
5
4
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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 16 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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