Surf Forecasts:
Richards Bay South Pier surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 11s period, S swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 17s period, S swell with 4,203 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 11s period with S swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Richards Bay South Pier this week:
The surf forecast for Richards Bay South Pier over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 2PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Richards Bay South Pier in the next 16 days are 2.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 30) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 2PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Richards Bay South Pier over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 23°C on Mon afternoon, min 16°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Sun morning, light winds from the NNW by Mon morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Warm (max 23°C on Fri afternoon, min 17°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the S on Wed afternoon, fresh winds from the NE by Fri afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 11 | SSW 11 | S 10 | SSE 10 | S 10 | SSE 9 | S 16 | S 15 | S 17 | S 16 | S 17 | S 17 | S 15 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | ENE 7 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | ENE 7 | SSE 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
2117 | 1994 | 489 | 335 | 231 | 140 | 251 | 371 | 841 | 507 | 1137 | 4203 | 1847 | 1052 | 591 | 377 | 418 | 252 | 195 | 475 | 70 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:46PM1.22m | 1:57AM1.34m | 2:24PM1.40m | 2:31AM1.51m | 2:52PM1.57m | 2:59AM1.66m | 3:19PM1.74m | 3:26AM1.79m | 3:44PM1.88m | 3:52AM1.89m | 4:10PM1.98m | 4:18AM1.96m | 4:36PM2.05m | 4:45AM1.98m | |||||||
Low Tide | 7:46PM0.73m | 8:12AM0.59m | 8:24PM0.57m | 8:41AM0.42m | 8:53PM0.41m | 9:07AM0.27m | 9:21PM0.27m | 9:32AM0.14m | 9:47PM0.16m | 9:58AM0.04m | 10:14PM0.08m | 10:24AM-0.03m | 10:42PM0.03m | ||||||||
6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | |
— | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 23 | 19 | 23 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 22 | 23 | 19 | 22 | 24 | 20 |
Feels °C | 14 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 23 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | S 10 | SSE 9 | S 16 | S 15 | S 17 | S 16 | S 17 | S 17 | S 15 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 |
6 | 1087 | 489 | 335 | 231 | 140 | 251 | 371 | 841 | 507 | 1137 | 4203 | 1847 | 1052 | 591 | 377 | 334 | 252 | 195 | 147 | 70 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 9 | E 8 | E 9 | S 18 | SSW 15 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | E 13 | — | — | — | S 17 | S 16 | S 16 | SSE 15 | — | SSW 11 | SE 14 |
— | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 74 | 44 | 30 | 20 | 13 | 13 | — | — | — | 212 | 254 | 129 | 73 | — | 12 | 8 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | E 9 | SSE 12 | S 9 | SSE 9 | NE 5 | ENE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | 6 | 15 | 24 | 28 | 1 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | SSW 11 | — | — | ENE 4 | NE 4 | NE 4 | — | SSW 4 | S 5 | SSE 6 | — | ENE 4 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | NE 7 |
2117 | 1994 | — | — | 25 | 9 | 16 | — | 23 | 41 | 52 | — | 35 | 171 | 167 | 203 | 418 | 287 | 227 | 475 | 405 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 482 | 438 | 0 | 155 | 155 | 0 | 390 | 2 | 2 | 121 | 2 | 49 | 1012 | 1006 | 206 | 487 | 848 | 206 | 663 | 848 | 206 |
Best forecast wave conditions in KwaZulu-Natal North Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Richards Bay South Pier Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Richards Bay South Pier 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 South Pier can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Richards Bay South Pier 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 South Pier) 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 South Pier 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.











