
Surf Forecasts:
Richards Bay South Pier surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 18s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 18s period, S swell with 2,512 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 12s period with SSE 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 (Jul 19) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Richards Bay South Pier in the next 16 days are 2.0m 18s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sun 19th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Richards Bay South Pier over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Warm (max 23°C on Tue afternoon, min 17°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Warm (max 26°C on Wed afternoon, min 17°C on Wed morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Thu morning, calm by Fri night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SE 13 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | S 7 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 11 | S 17 | S 15 | S 15 | S 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
666 | 635 | 835 | 990 | 992 | 683 | 551 | 486 | 414 | 330 | 282 | 202 | 140 | 399 | 501 | 329 | 422 | 1508 | 657 | 640 | 776 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | off | cross | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 7:13PM1.75m | 7:19AM1.58m | 7:51PM1.61m | 7:58AM1.43m | 8:33PM1.46m | 8:47AM1.29m | 9:32PM1.32m | 10:08AM1.18m | 11:12PM1.25m | 12:16PM1.17m | 00:57AM1.28m | 1:41PM1.27m | 2:00AM1.39m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:52PM0.21m | 1:20AM0.41m | 1:29PM0.35m | 2:00AM0.54m | 2:09PM0.51m | 2:47AM0.66m | 2:59PM0.66m | 3:58AM0.76m | 4:23PM0.77m | 5:50AM0.78m | 6:21PM0.77m | 7:24AM0.69m | 7:41PM0.68m | ||||||||
6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | |
— | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 20 | 23 | 26 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 19 |
Feels °C | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SE 13 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | ENE 6 | ESE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SSE 11 | S 17 | S 15 | S 15 | S 15 |
666 | 635 | 835 | 990 | 992 | 683 | 551 | 486 | 414 | 330 | 282 | 202 | 37 | 88 | 60 | 59 | 422 | 1508 | 657 | 640 | 776 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | SSW 15 | S 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 17 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 | S 13 | SE 12 | ENE 7 | SE 11 | E 7 | S 16 | SE 7 | SE 6 | SE 10 | E 8 |
88 | 73 | 49 | 28 | 21 | 49 | 25 | 57 | 188 | 218 | 253 | 125 | 140 | 27 | 77 | 9 | 177 | 99 | 49 | 23 | 32 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | S 11 | ENE 6 | SW 12 | E 9 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | — | — | NE 6 | S 22 | S 20 | SE 11 | E 7 | E 9 | ESE 10 |
96 | 38 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 34 | 29 | 27 | 291 | 13 | 6 | 6 | — | — | 6 | 10 | 196 | 29 | 24 | 6 | 9 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 3 | — | — | SSW 4 | — | — | NNE 6 | ENE 4 | NE 4 | NE 4 | ENE 5 | NE 5 | SSW 4 | S 7 | S 8 | S 8 | — | — | ENE 7 | E 7 | — |
2 | — | — | 20 | — | — | 3 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 87 | 83 | 39 | 399 | 501 | 329 | — | — | 27 | 44 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 155 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 155 | 49 | 49 | 155 | 115 | 836 | 627 | 121 | 75 | 2 | 0 | 155 | 155 | 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 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.










