
Surf Forecasts:
Trafalgar surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 12s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s period, SSW swell with 1,531 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 13s period with S swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Trafalgar this week:
The surf forecast for Trafalgar over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Trafalgar in the next 16 days are 1.7m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Trafalgar over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 21°C on Sat afternoon, min 16°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 25°C on Wed morning, min 16°C on Tue morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Thu morning, calm by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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) | E 10 | S 13 | S 12 | SSE 13 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 13 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SSW 14 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
159 | 401 | 387 | 757 | 578 | 918 | 990 | 841 | 736 | 501 | 357 | 288 | 236 | 205 | 167 | 108 | 334 | 444 | 834 | 1531 | 869 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | glassy | off | cross-on | on | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:40PM1.68m | 6:46AM1.48m | 7:17PM1.57m | 7:22AM1.36m | 7:55PM1.44m | 8:02AM1.24m | 8:39PM1.31m | 8:52AM1.12m | 9:39PM1.19m | 10:19AM1.03m | 11:17PM1.13m | 12:25PM1.03m | 00:56AM1.16m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:17PM0.09m | 00:47AM0.28m | 12:52PM0.19m | 1:25AM0.38m | 1:28PM0.32m | 2:06AM0.49m | 2:08PM0.46m | 2:55AM0.60m | 2:58PM0.59m | 4:08AM0.68m | 4:20PM0.69m | 5:59AM0.69m | 6:19PM0.70m | ||||||||
6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | |
— | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 25 | 24 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 18 |
Feels °C | 19 | 20 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 18 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | S 13 | S 12 | SSE 13 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 13 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | ENE 7 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | S 7 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 |
159 | 401 | 387 | 757 | 578 | 918 | 990 | 841 | 736 | 501 | 357 | 117 | 236 | 205 | 167 | 50 | 334 | 444 | 834 | 1531 | 869 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | E 10 | SSE 14 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 9 | SW 12 | E 9 | SSW 16 | SE 11 | ENE 7 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | ENE 5 | S 19 |
96 | 123 | 246 | 154 | 308 | 71 | 183 | 141 | 39 | 15 | 151 | 288 | 64 | 158 | 62 | 108 | 79 | 43 | 30 | 15 | 184 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | SW 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 9 | SSW 16 | E 9 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | E 7 | E 7 | SE 11 | E 8 |
100 | 5 | 121 | 94 | 98 | 71 | 31 | 30 | 17 | 53 | 7 | 126 | 229 | 42 | 18 | 19 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 18 | 10 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | SW 9 | — | — | NNE 3 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 7 | SW 2 | SSW 4 | S 7 | SSW 7 | — | — | NE 3 | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 81 | — | — | 9 | 11 | 94 | 221 | 2 | 34 | 52 | 69 | — | — | 7 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 103 | 103 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 76 | 373 | 0 | 75 | 0 | 3 | 104 | 585 | 0 | 103 | 320 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Durban/KwaZulu-Natal South Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Trafalgar Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Trafalgar provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Trafalgar can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Trafalgar 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 (Trafalgar) 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 Trafalgar 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.
Trafalgar is 10 km (6 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.










