Surf Forecasts:
Umhlanga surf forecast from 29 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 1 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 11s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 2 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 11s period, SE swell with 1,396 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 1 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 9s period with SE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Umhlanga this week:
The surf forecast for Umhlanga over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 01) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Umhlanga in the next 16 days are 2.4m 11s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Monday (Aug 03) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Sat 1st Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sat 1st Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Umhlanga over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, checking in on the surf around Umhlanga.
First up, the water temp at Umhlanga is sitting at 73°F, which is about a degree and a half warmer than usual for this time of year, so the ocean’s got that little extra bit of warmth in it.
Honestly, the first few days are a write-off. We’re looking at a stretch of messy, cross-onshore winds from Wednesday the 29th right through to Saturday the 1st of August. Swell is there, around 7 ft to 10 ft from the SSE and S, but with those winds it’s just lumpy, choppy, and poor. Not worth paddling out.
The first real glimmer of hope comes on Sunday the 2nd of August. Sunday morning is your standout. The wind goes glassy – light SW at 3 mph – and you’ve got a solid 8 ft swell from the SE with an 11-second period. That’s a proper groundswell with some real energy (1426). The wave comment says it’s excellent for experienced surfers, and at that size, it’s definitely not for beginners. The swell direction is straight out of the SE, which is the optimum for this spot, so the breaks should line up well. Get out there early before the wind shifts.
After that, things get marginal through the week. Monday the 3rd and Tuesday the 4th see the swell drop to 3 ft to 6 ft with onshore or cross-shore winds, so it’s small and bumpy. Not much to get excited about.
There’s a gap of pretty poor conditions from the 5th all the way through to the 10th of August. The swell tries to show up again on the 10th with a big 10 ft from the ENE and some serious energy (1222-1851), but the wind is howling from the SSW at 25-28 mph, making it a messy, strong cross-shore mess. That’s kite-surfing territory, not paddle surfing.
The tail end of the forecast picks up a little. The 11th and 12th of August bring some smaller swells (5 ft to 6 ft) with light winds, and while conditions are only marginal, the 12th afternoon has a 6 ft swell from the SSW with an 11-second period. It’s not a classic, but it’s the best you’ll find in the second week if you’re desperate for a paddle. Don’t expect much.
Top call: Sunday the 2nd of August morning at Umhlanga. Glassy, solid 8 ft SE groundswell, clean waves for the experienced crew.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 14°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Thu afternoon, light winds from the WSW by Sat morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | ||||||||||||||
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 9 | SSE 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ENE 6 | NE 8 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 761 | 559 | 856 | 1204 | 1131 | 1020 | 977 | 673 | 640 | 847 | 1347 | 1396 | 1154 | 754 | 588 | 491 | 266 | 176 | 191 | 567 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | on | off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:07PM1.67m | 4:13AM1.72m | 4:35PM1.76m | 4:41AM1.76m | 5:03PM1.81m | 5:09AM1.77m | 5:31PM1.83m | 5:37AM1.75m | 6:01PM1.82m | 6:07AM1.69m | 6:32PM1.77m | 6:40AM1.60m | 7:07PM1.67m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:07PM0.25m | 10:22AM0.11m | 10:36PM0.20m | 10:49AM0.07m | 11:05PM0.18m | 11:16AM0.05m | 11:35PM0.18m | 11:45AM0.07m | 00:07AM0.21m | 12:15PM0.13m | 00:40AM0.27m | 12:48PM0.22m | 1:19AM0.37m | |||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — |
 | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:23 | — |
mm | 2 | 6 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 23 | 20 |
Feels °C | 13 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | SSE 9 | SSW 15 | E 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ENE 8 |
| kJ | 168 | 559 | 231 | 64 | 156 | 145 | 66 | 673 | 640 | 847 | 1347 | 1396 | 1154 | 754 | 588 | 491 | 266 | 176 | 145 | 285 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | E 9 | E 9 | — | E 10 | — | SSW 16 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | ENE 6 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | ESE 9 |
| kJ | 158 | 79 | 61 | — | 49 | — | 90 | 44 | 14 | 20 | 39 | 24 | 23 | 17 | 31 | 17 | 47 | 17 | 16 | 100 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 15 | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | — | — | S 18 | S 13 | S 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | E 12 | S 12 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | — | 181 | — | — | — | — | — | 50 | 21 | — | — | 6 | 14 | 12 | 21 | 25 | 42 | 11 | 3 | 14 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 9 | SW 5 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | — | S 9 | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | ENE 4 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 8 |
| kJ | 761 | 42 | 856 | 1204 | 1131 | 1020 | 977 | — | 412 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 31 | 96 | 47 | 191 | 567 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 68 | 15 | 343 | 418 | 62 | 899 | 918 | 4 | 92 | 62 | 0 | 0 | 65 | 0 | 18 | 18 | 0 | 18 | 470 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in KwaZulu-Natal North Coast | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Umhlanga Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Umhlanga provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Umhlanga can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Umhlanga 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 (Umhlanga) 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 Umhlanga 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.
Are you planning a holiday in KwaZulu-Natal North Coast? If you are looking for accommodation near Umhlanga, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in KwaZulu-Natal North Coast, consider staying in Umhlanga which is 0 km (0 miles) away. Other places in and around KwaZulu-Natal North Coast where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Mount Edgecombe which is 6 km (4 miles) away, Kwamashu, Durban and Glenwood.
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