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

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 1 pm Saturday 13 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
24.6° 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 Wednesday (Dec 17) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Richards Bay (Inside) in the next 12 days are 3.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Dec 18) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 7s period and expected on Tuesday (Dec 16) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8AM (Wed 17th Dec)4.5ft (1.3m) 8s
Best Surf 5AM (Fri 19th Dec)6.5ft (2.0m) 8s
Most Powerful 2PM (Thu 18th Dec)10ft (3.0m) 8s

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 Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 32°C on Tue morning, min 21°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Sat afternoon, light winds from the NE by Sun night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 45mm), heaviest during Wed afternoon. Warm (max 34°C on Wed morning, min 19°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NE on Tue afternoon, calm by Fri morning).

Sat
13
Sunday
14
Monday
15
Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
2
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.9
S
1.9
SSE
1.3
ESE
1.3
ESE
1.1
E
0.4
SSW
0.4
SSW
0.6
S
0.6
S
0.5
S
0.4
SSW
1.2
E
1
E
1.3
S
2
S
2.5
SSE
2.1
SE
1
S
1
S
1.1
S
1
S
Period(s) (?)6788914151413121288768812121111
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)27039418622918661781481268050164114154335956560287273289242
Wind
(km/h)
30
S
25
S
15
SE
15
E
20
NNE
30
NE
35
NE
25
NNE
35
NE
40
NE
30
NNE
10
ENE
35
SSW
25
S
25
SSE
20
S
5
S
10
E
20
ENE
10
N
15
ESE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
cross-
on
oncross-
on
cross-
off
crosscrosscross-
off
crosscrosscross-
off
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
off
cross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
11:19PM
1.23
12:03PM
1.40
12:35AM
1.29
1:00PM
1.46
1:28AM
1.38
1:45PM
1.54
2:10AM
1.47
2:23PM
1.61
2:45AM
1.56
2:57PM
1.68
3:19AM
1.63
3:30PM
1.73
3:51AM
1.69
Low Tide
/ height (m)
5:14PM
0.74
5:24AM
0.68
6:28PM
0.67
6:34AM
0.63
7:20PM
0.57
7:26AM
0.55
8:01PM
0.47
8:08AM
0.47
8:36PM
0.38
8:45AM
0.39
9:09PM
0.30
9:19AM
0.32
9:41PM
0.24
9:52AM
0.28
Sat
13
Sunday
14
Monday
15
Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Sunrise--4:47--4:47--4:47--4:48--4:48--4:48--4:48
Sunset6:44--6:44--6:45--6:45--6:45--6:46--6:46--
light rain
mod rain
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
thunderstorm
heavy rain
light rain
light rain
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
Rain (mm)
16----------172422-----
Temp. °C232222232329312532322634262321222122222222
Feels °C (?)202020222426282430292336262118201922202123
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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 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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