
Surf Forecasts:
Richards Bay South Pier surf forecast from 30 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 1 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 9s period, SE swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 2 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 12s period, SE swell with 1,952 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 1 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 9s period with SE 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 Saturday (Aug 01) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 14s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 15s is also forecast. 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 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) 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 1.6m 7s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sat 1st Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sat 1st Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Richards Bay South Pier over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 15°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Thu afternoon, moderate winds from the SW by Sat night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Tue afternoon, min 15°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 12 | SSE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1221 | 1526 | 1689 | 1701 | 1350 | 1057 | 651 | 783 | 1952 | 1350 | 1326 | 1189 | 637 | 511 | 313 | 242 | 192 | 130 | 119 | 110 | 96 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:36PM1.85m | 4:43AM1.87m | 5:04PM1.90m | 5:11AM1.88m | 5:32PM1.92m | 5:39AM1.86m | 6:01PM1.91m | 6:09AM1.80m | 6:32PM1.85m | 6:41AM1.70m | 7:07PM1.76m | 7:18AM1.57m | 7:49PM1.62m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:24AM0.12m | 10:38PM0.19m | 10:51AM0.07m | 11:07PM0.17m | 11:18AM0.06m | 11:36PM0.17m | 11:47AM0.08m | 00:07AM0.20m | 12:17PM0.13m | 00:40AM0.27m | 12:50PM0.23m | 1:18AM0.38m | 1:28PM0.35m | 2:04AM0.52m | |||||||
6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | |
— | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | |
mm | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 19 | 22 | 25 | 20 | 23 | 26 | 20 |
Feels °C | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 18 | 19 | 22 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 12 | SSE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ENE 7 |
63 | 47 | 51 | 524 | 639 | 1057 | 651 | 783 | 1952 | 1350 | 1326 | 1189 | 637 | 511 | 313 | 242 | 192 | 130 | 119 | 110 | 57 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | — | — | — | SSW 17 | SSW 14 | — | SW 14 | — | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | S 16 | S 10 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 11 | ESE 10 |
63 | — | — | — | 112 | 325 | — | 54 | — | 13 | 23 | 5 | 17 | 50 | 42 | 35 | 17 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 96 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 18 | S 13 | SSW 15 | S 10 | S 10 | E 11 | S 11 | S 12 | S 11 | S 17 | S 16 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 30 | 21 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 19 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 15 | SSW 5 | SW 5 | SW 13 | SW 6 | — | — | — | ENE 3 | NNE 3 | NE 4 | ENE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | WSW 3 |
1221 | 1526 | 1689 | 1701 | 1350 | 118 | 90 | 57 | 42 | 138 | — | — | — | 3 | 4 | 16 | 59 | 58 | 54 | 112 | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 482 | 557 | 153 | 1036 | 1055 | 97 | 281 | 281 | 75 | 121 | 153 | 1 | 35 | 155 | 0 | 155 | 155 | 49 | 155 | 151 | 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.











