
Surf Forecasts:
St Mikes surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 22 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 14s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 22 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 15s period, SSW swell with 1,948 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 16 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 14s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for St Mikes this week:
The surf forecast for St Mikes over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 16) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 14s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at St Mikes in the next 16 days are 2.2m 15s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 10s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Thu 16th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for St Mikes over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, same deal in feet and knots.
We're looking at a real mixed bag, with some long waits between windows. The first few days are a total write-off, so don't bother. Stick with it though, because there are a couple of proper sessions hidden in this forecast.
The run starts on Saturday the 18th with a pulse of energy, but the wind is cross and messy. The combined swell energy is moderate (216) on Saturday morning, but it's not clean. By Saturday afternoon, the energy jumps to a strong level (735) with a 5ft south swell, but it’s still cross-shore. It’s showing signs of life, but the conditions are just marginal.
The first real standout hits on Sunday the 19th. This is the one to circle. We’ve got a clean 6ft S swell with a 12-second period and glassy conditions, giving us a combined energy of 835. The water temp is sitting at 72°, which is about normal for this time of year, so no surprises there. Sunday morning will be the pick of the first week, with that glassy offshore wind making St Mikes look like a dream. The swell is a bit over 5ft, so it’s not for beginners, but that’s a proper groundswell with long gaps between sets, making it easier to get out back. The afternoon cleans up too, with a 5ft swell and still glassy, just a little less energy (598).
We then hit a dry spell through Monday and Tuesday. The swell drops, the wind turns cross-onshore, and it’s just not worth paddling out.
Then, the next big moment comes on Wednesday the 22nd. This is another standout. The morning brings a superb 6ft SSW groundswell with a 14-second period and glassy conditions. The energy is huge at 1408, and this is classed as excellent for experienced surfers. Again, that 6ft is a bit much for the newbies, but for anyone who knows what they’re doing, this is peak St Mikes. The afternoon eases off to a 4ft swell but stays glassy, still a very good session.
After that, it gets shaky again. The wind picks up strongly on the 23rd and 24th, with lumpy cross-chop and a big 10ft swell on the 23rd afternoon that’s only for experts and even then, the wind is messy. The energy numbers are high (1500), but the quality is gone. The following days are dominated by strong cross-shore winds and dropping swell, so it’s not worth chasing.
The final week (from the 25th onwards) is mostly a bust. The swell is small and the wind is either cross or onshore. There’s a brief moment on the 27th with a very long 15 to 16-second period SSW swell, but it’s small and cross-onshore, so it’s just a tease. The 28th has a 20-second period swell, which is incredibly long, but it’s only 2ft and cross-shore, so it’s a washout. That long period at a reef break like St Mikes would normally be a dream, but not with that wind and size.
So, the bottom line: Sunday the 19th morning and Wednesday the 22nd morning are your only true standouts. The rest is a waiting game.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Wed afternoon, min 16°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sun morning, min 16°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | S 5 | S 10 | S 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 13 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | SSW 13 | SSW 11 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | SSE 11 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
15 | 21 | 16 | 48 | 50 | 99 | 15 | 21 | 246 | 119 | 711 | 1054 | 814 | 582 | 1048 | 394 | 374 | 196 | 259 | 224 | 1121 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | on | on | cross-off | cross | cross | off | cross | cross | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:42PM1.74m | 4:55AM1.70m | 5:23PM1.77m | 5:33AM1.66m | 6:02PM1.74m | 6:10AM1.59m | 6:40PM1.68m | 6:46AM1.48m | 7:17PM1.57m | 7:22AM1.36m | 7:55PM1.44m | 8:02AM1.24m | 8:39PM1.31m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:26AM0.03m | 10:48PM0.10m | 11:04AM0.00m | 11:29PM0.13m | 11:41AM0.02m | 00:08AM0.19m | 12:17PM0.09m | 00:47AM0.28m | 12:52PM0.19m | 1:25AM0.38m | 1:28PM0.32m | 2:06AM0.49m | 2:08PM0.46m | 2:55AM0.60m | |||||||
6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | |
— | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 25 | 23 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 18 |
Feels °C | 17 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | SSE 11 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SSW 14 |
724 | 663 | 730 | 535 | 384 | 277 | 233 | 233 | 192 | 156 | 711 | 1054 | 814 | 582 | 1048 | 394 | 374 | 196 | 259 | 224 | 1121 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | SSE 11 | S 10 | S 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 13 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | SSW 13 | SSW 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 8 | E 10 | NE 6 | ENE 7 | SSW 14 | SE 11 |
15 | 11 | 16 | 48 | 50 | 99 | 15 | 21 | 246 | 119 | 158 | 154 | 122 | 96 | 48 | 112 | 29 | 38 | 30 | 165 | 213 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | — | S 14 | SW 11 | S 16 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | E 10 | SSW 14 | SE 13 | SSW 12 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 |
10 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 14 | 13 | — | 95 | 19 | 5 | 21 | 7 | 17 | 30 | 41 | 100 | 117 | 17 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 3 | S 5 | SSW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 2 | NE 3 | NE 4 | — | SSW 3 | SW 8 | — | NE 3 | NE 6 | SSW 3 | S 6 | — |
3 | 21 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 5 | 14 | — | 9 | 418 | — | 6 | 114 | 9 | 116 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 40 | 45 | 4 | 31 | 40 | 0 | 4 | 40 | 0 | 68 | 96 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 45 | 96 | 12 | 140 | 21 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Durban/KwaZulu-Natal South Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the St Mikes Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for St Mikes provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at St Mikes can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our St Mikes 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 (St Mikes) 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 St Mikes 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.
St Mikes is 17 km (11 miles) from Port Shepstone. If you plan a holiday in Durban/KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, look for hotels and other accommodation in Port Shepstone. Port Shepstone has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










