Surf Forecasts:
Richards Bay (Inside) surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 12s period, S swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 12s period, S swell with 3,933 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period with ESE swell.
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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 6s. 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 3.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Richards Bay (Inside) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let's talk about what's shaking for the Richards Bay stretch.
The water is sitting at 71°, which is pretty much dead average for this time of year, so nothing weird there.
The first few days are a total loss. Tuesday the 18th and Wednesday the 19th are a mess. We’ve got a fresh cross-shore wind and lumpy chop, and the swell is short period and weak. The combined wave energy is low, around 334 for the first day, and it's not worth getting your wetsuit wet.
Thursday the 20th is a hard pass. The swell jumps up to 10ft from the south, but it’s a short period of 8 seconds and it’s coming with a cross-onshore wind. The energy is a solid 1071, but it’s just a washing machine. This is more of a kite session than a paddle session, if you ask me.
We start to see a shift on Friday the 21st. The morning looks like the best of a bad bunch early on. There’s a 5ft south swell with a 14-second period, which is proper groundswell. The energy is high at 976, but a stiff cross-shore wind keeps it from being great. It’s surfable, but it’s a fight.
Saturday the 22nd morning is a tease. The swell drops to 2ft, but it’s clean with a light offshore wind. The energy is a weak 105, so it’s tiny, but it’s the first clean window we’ve seen.
Now, here’s the big one. The real standout is Sunday the 23rd morning. The forecast is showing a 10ft south swell, and the wind is looking cross-shore, which is about as good as it gets for this spot. The energy is massive, 3041, and the conditions are saying the wind and tide are favorable. However, the guidance says it’s predicted to be too big for this break. This isn't for beginners; it’s a big, powerful groundswell that will be a handful. If you’re an expert, this is the window to watch. The period is 12 seconds, so it’s got some heft.
Monday the 24th morning is the other really good one. The swell drops to a more manageable 6ft from the south, but the period stretches to 14 seconds. The wind is a light cross-offshore from the NNE, which means clean, glassy conditions. The energy is 1319, which is solid. This is the best all-rounder in the whole forecast. The crowd situation is listed as "sometimes" at Richards Bay, so you might get some company, but the conditions are worth it.
After that, it’s a quick drop-off. Tuesday the 25th morning is clean but small, with 3ft. The rest of the week and into the first days of September is mostly poor, with onshore winds, small weak swells, and lumpy conditions. The last week is a bust.
So, the call is simple. The best surf on offer is the big, expert-only swell on Sunday the 23rd morning, and the clean, solid Monday the 24th morning. If you’re not an expert, aim for the Monday. Everything else is a gamble.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Wed afternoon, min 17°C on Tue morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Wed night, calm by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 37°C on Sat afternoon, min 17°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Sat night, calm by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | S 14 | S 14 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 8 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 7 | S 12 | S 13 | S 14 | S 14 | S 16 | S 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
199 | 162 | 123 | 118 | 153 | 150 | 1039 | 687 | 264 | 956 | 417 | 155 | 105 | 105 | 706 | 3041 | 2288 | 1662 | 1313 | 1092 | 271 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross | glassy |
High Tide | 6:56PM1.66m | 7:03AM1.50m | 7:25PM1.48m | 7:34AM1.33m | 8:00PM1.30m | 8:19AM1.16m | 9:22PM1.14m | 11:55AM1.07m | 00:58AM1.18m | 1:46PM1.22m | 1:57AM1.34m | 2:24PM1.40m | 2:31AM1.51m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:42PM0.29m | 1:04AM0.45m | 1:12PM0.47m | 1:35AM0.60m | 1:44PM0.65m | 2:19AM0.76m | 2:39PM0.82m | 4:37AM0.88m | 6:12PM0.88m | 7:29AM0.77m | 7:46PM0.73m | 8:12AM0.59m | 8:24PM0.57m | ||||||||
6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | |
— | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 25 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 19 | 33 | 37 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 24 | 19 |
Feels °C | 17 | 16 | 17 | 22 | 22 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 29 | 35 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | S 14 | E 7 | E 8 | ESE 9 | SSE 8 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | S 13 | S 14 | S 14 | S 16 | S 12 |
199 | 162 | 123 | 118 | 153 | 68 | 32 | 26 | 264 | 956 | 417 | 155 | 105 | 88 | 18 | 14 | 2288 | 1662 | 1313 | 1092 | 271 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | S 17 | S 17 | S 5 | S 5 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 6 | S 16 | ESE 8 | — | — | — | S 12 | E 8 | — | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | E 9 | S 16 | ENE 5 |
48 | 6 | 6 | 21 | 8 | 40 | 11 | 2 | 248 | 20 | — | — | — | 105 | 12 | — | 14 | 16 | 6 | 706 | 18 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | S 12 | S 15 | SSW 15 | S 8 | S 14 | — | NNE 6 | ESE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 9 | S 16 |
64 | 3 | 4 | 44 | 5 | 150 | — | 4 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 19 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 4 | SSW 6 | S 6 | — | ENE 8 | NE 6 | S 8 | S 8 | — | — | ENE 5 | NE 5 | ENE 6 | NE 7 | S 7 | S 12 | — | — | NE 3 | NE 5 | NE 5 |
23 | 115 | 88 | — | 235 | 157 | 1039 | 687 | — | — | 70 | 103 | 71 | 207 | 706 | 3041 | — | — | 2 | 49 | 38 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 55 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 156 | 0 | 484 | 391 | 0 | 156 | 1007 | 116 | 0 | 1419 | 155 | 484 | 155 | 0 | 0 | 116 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in KwaZulu-Natal North Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











