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

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 1 pm Wednesday 17 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
24.3° C
(Which is slightly cooler than normal)


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 Friday (Dec 19) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 7s. 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 1.6m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Dec 21) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 8s period and expected on Tuesday (Dec 23) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Fri 19th Dec)3.5ft (1.0m) 8s
Best Surf 8AM (Fri 19th Dec)2.5ft (0.8m) 11s
Most Powerful 5AM (Sun 21st Dec)5ft (1.6m) 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 Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 27°C on Wed afternoon, min 20°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Wed afternoon, calm by Thu night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 28°C on Tue morning, min 21°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds.

Wed
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
2
0
0
3
1
2
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.6
SSW
2.1
S
1.7
SSE
1.4
SSE
1
E
1.3
ESE
1
S
1
S
0.8
SSE
0.8
SSE
1.4
S
1.5
S
1.3
S
1
S
0.7
S
0.8
S
1.8
ESE
1.7
E
2.2
E
1.7
ESE
1.6
ESE
Period(s) (?)6887981212111117151413121588899
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)15454533119215220726228916115811291051694335141272406364639495443
Wind
(km/h)
35
SSW
25
S
20
SSE
20
SE
5
E
20
ENE
30
ENE
10
NNE
15
ESE
20
E
10
NE
15
ENE
15
ENE
10
NE
20
NE
25
NE
15
NNE
30
NE
35
NE
20
NNE
10
ESE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
cross-
on
ononcross-
on
crosscrosscross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
crosscrosscrosscrosscross-
off
crosscrosscross-
off
cross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
2:23PM
1.61
2:45AM
1.56
2:57PM
1.68
3:19AM
1.63
3:30PM
1.73
3:51AM
1.69
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
Low Tide
/ height (m)
8:36PM
0.38
8:45AM
0.39
9:09PM
0.30
9:19AM
0.32
9:41PM
0.24
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
Wed
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Sunrise--4:48--4:48--4:48--4:48--4:50--4:50--4:50
Sunset6:45--6:46--6:46--6:47--6:47--6:49--6:49--
part cloud
mod rain
light rain
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
thunderstorm
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
cloud
cloud
Rain (mm)
-62-------3----------
Temp. °C272222222225262226262423232326272328292526
Feels °C (?)262120202124232126262624232323232125262429
  • 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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