Richards Bay (Inside) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what the next couple of weeks are serving up for us at Richards Bay.

Right off the bat, I gotta be honest with you – the first week is a bit of a grind. We're looking at a solid run of days where the wind and swell just aren't playing nice. For the first week, from Thursday the 13th right through to Wednesday the 19th, it's mostly a write-off. The wind is just too messy, swinging from cross to cross-on, and the swell is mostly short-period chop that's going to be frustrating. The water temp is sitting at 71°, which is about average for this time of year, so at least you won't be freezing while you're getting worked.

Now, I'm seeing a tiny window that could be worth a paddle. Friday morning, the 14th of August is the standout. The swell drops to a clean 5ft from the ESE, the period is a short 8 seconds, but the wind is forecast to be dead calm, glassy. That's a rare treat. The combined energy of all swells directed here is moderate (481). It's not going to be massive, but it will be clean, and with the sandbars at Richards Bay (Inside), it could offer some fun little waves without the crowd. Keep an eye on the tide, but that's your best bet for a genuinely good session early on.

After that, the wind picks up again and the conditions get sloppy. There's a bit of a gap from the 15th through the 19th where it's just not worth it. The swell stays around 5ft but the wind is either cross or cross-on, making it a bumpy mess.

Then, we get a bit of a pulse. Thursday morning, the 20th of August offers a bit more size, with a 6ft swell from the SE, but the period is a short 7 seconds and the wind is a moderate cross. The energy is moderate (575). It's a marginal call, but the bigger swell might be enough to get the sandbars working if you're desperate.

But hold on to your board shorts, because the real story is the long-range forecast. Sunday morning, the 23rd of August. This is one for the experienced crew only. The forecast is showing a serious pulse of swell from the S, hitting 12ft. The combined energy of all swells directed here is a massive 2356, which is incredibly strong. The wind is a fresh cross, so it's going to be lumpy and powerful. This is not a day for beginners. For the experts out there, this is a big, heavy, powerful ocean. The period is 10 seconds, so it's a solid swell. Be wary, because a swell this size can be a handful at a sandbar.

The following days, the 24th through the 28th, are a mixed bag of onshore winds and dropping swell, never really coming together for a clean, rideable wave. The week after the big swell looks like a return to the frustrating pattern.

So, to sum it up: Friday morning, August 14th is the one for the clean, glassy, small-wave surfer. Sunday morning, August 23rd is the big one for the experts looking for a serious challenge. Everything else in between is a bit of a battle.

Rusty.

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