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

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 7 pm Thursday 21 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
23.5° 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 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (May 23) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 11s 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 1.1m 12s and forecast to arrive on Friday (May 22) 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 1.7m 6s period and expected on Friday (May 22) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Sat 23rd May)1.5ft (0.5m) 11s
Best Surf 2AM (Sat 23rd May)1.5ft (0.5m) 11s
Most Powerful 5AM (Fri 22nd May)3.5ft (1.1m) 12s

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 5mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Warm (max 27°C on Fri afternoon, min 18°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Wed morning. Warm (max 25°C on Tue afternoon, min 19°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
22
Saturday
23
Sunday
24
Monday
25
Tuesday
26
Wednesday
27
Thu
28
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
ESE
12
0.6
E
12
0.6
E
11
0.5
S
11
0.9
E
11
0.8
E
10
0.7
E
10
0.6
E
10
0.6
E
10
0.5
SSE
11
0.6
SSE
10
0.7
SSE
10
0.7
SSE
10
0.6
SSE
10
0.4
SSW
15
0.6
SE
9
0.6
SE
12
0.5
SE
11
0.5
SE
10
0.4
SE
9
0.3
SSW
19
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
236
98
89
61
182
138
96
68
67
68
83
88
83
61
75
51
106
58
46
21
72
Wind (km/h)
20
NNE
25
N
25
NE
15
N
20
SW
20
SSW
15
SSW
15
SSW
10
SSE
5
W
5
NE
20
NE
15
NNE
20
NNE
20
NE
20
SW
15
SW
10
SE
5
N
10
NNE
20
NE
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-on
on
glassy
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
on
glassy
cross-off
cross
High Tide
7:26AM1.46m
8:17PM1.47m
8:38AM1.33m
9:44PM1.41m
10:12AM1.27m
11:14PM1.43m
11:42AM1.30m
00:22AM1.50m
12:46PM1.39m
1:12AM1.58m
1:34PM1.48m
1:52AM1.65m
2:13PM1.56m
Low Tide
1:18AM0.51m
1:43PM0.47m
2:30AM0.66m
2:57PM0.58m
4:05AM0.72m
4:26PM0.62m
5:37AM0.68m
5:47PM0.59m
6:42AM0.59m
6:47PM0.53m
7:28AM0.49m
7:33PM0.45m
8:05AM0.39m
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:30
6:31
6:31
6:31
6:33
6:33
6:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:05
5:05
5:04
5:04
5:04
5:02
5:02
5:02
1
3
1
1
Temp °C
21
23
27
22
21
22
22
21
22
21
23
24
21
23
25
22
22
22
21
23
25
19
19
23
20
19
21
22
21
22
22
24
23
20
22
24
23
21
22
23
23
25
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
ESE
12
1
E
7
0.6
E
11
1.1
ENE
7
0.9
E
11
0.8
E
10
0.7
E
10
0.6
E
10
0.6
S
7
0.5
SSE
11
0.6
SSE
10
0.7
SSE
10
0.7
SSE
10
0.6
SSE
10
0.6
SE
9
0.6
SE
9
0.6
SE
12
0.5
SE
11
0.5
S
5
0.4
SSW
7
0.4
SSW
7
Energy kJ
236
94
89
114
182
138
96
68
38
68
83
88
83
61
68
51
106
58
13
15
15
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
SSE
7
0.6
E
12
0.5
S
12
0.5
S
11
0.5
S
10
0.2
SSE
14
0.3
SSE
10
0.4
SE
12
0.6
E
10
0.5
E
9
0.5
E
9
0.1
SW
13
0.4
E
8
0.6
E
4
0.4
SSW
15
0.4
ENE
5
0.3
ENE
6
0.4
ESE
7
0.5
SE
10
0.4
SE
9
0.3
SE
9
Energy kJ
26
98
72
61
53
18
18
37
67
44
40
6
19
14
75
8
7
16
46
21
12
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
SSE
15
0.5
S
13
0.1
S
20
0.5
E
11
0.2
SSE
16
0.2
S
15
0.4
SE
13
0.2
SSW
14
0.4
SSE
12
0.4
SSE
4
0.2
SSW
13
0.1
S
16
0.2
SSW
16
0.3
SSW
17
0.4
SE
13
0.4
SE
12
0.2
ESE
6
0.2
SSW
12
0.4
SE
5
0.4
SE
6
0.3
SSW
19
Energy kJ
42
84
7
61
24
17
43
20
56
5
16
5
26
57
40
38
3
13
7
8
72
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
NE
4
0.9
NNE
5
1.5
ENE
6
1.5
NE
6
0.8
SW
4
1.1
SSW
5
0.9
S
5
0.8
S
7
0.8
E
4
0.7
NE
4
0.3
N
3
0.8
ENE
4
0.3
SW
2
0.9
SSW
5
0.7
S
5
0.5
E
6
Energy kJ
37
30
170
172
27
59
41
67
16
15
2
17
1
33
22
18
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Distance (km)
116
123
76
0
1
88
1
1
1
0
156
156
50
50
116
1
1
155
0
36
626
Best forecast wave conditions in KwaZulu-Natal North Coast
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
2
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
1
1
1
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
3
3
4
5
4
5
5
5
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
7
6
5
6
8
5
5
6
5
5
4
4
5
5
5
5
5
9
8
9
  • 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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