Surf Forecasts:
Vetchs Reef surf forecast from 9 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 12 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 9s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 12 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, SE swell with 1,793 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 9s period with SE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Vetchs Reef this week:
The surf forecast for Vetchs Reef over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.4m and 9s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Vetchs Reef in the next 16 days are 3.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 9s period and expected on Monday (Aug 10) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Wed 12th Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Wed 12th Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Vetchs Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the table for this stretch.
Well, I gotta be straight with you – this forecast window is a real mixed bag, and it’s gonna take some patience. Things kick off slow, with some poor conditions and tiny swell, and it stays quiet for a good few days before anything worthwhile shows up. The first proper look we get isn't until Wednesday, August 12th, so we're talking a dry spell for nearly a week.
The real story here is a pulse of energy that rolls in for the middle of next week. On Wednesday the 12th, we see a solid 10ft swell from the SE, with a combined wave energy reading of 1532 – that’s strong. But, and it’s a big but, the wind is a cross-onshore and it's choppy. That’s a trade-off. For the advanced crew, Vetchs Reef is where you’d look, but honestly the conditions are only “marginal” on a good day. This break is a rare breaker, so even getting it to work is a treat, but with that size (10ft) and a 9-second period, it’s heavy and only for the experienced. The water temp is 71°, spot on for the time of year.
After that, things clean up nicely for a brief window. Friday August 14th morning and Saturday August 15th morning are your best bets for some peace. On Friday, you’ve got a clean 5ft from the ESE, period of 8 seconds and a nice cross-off breeze. Saturday morning is the standout: 5ft ESE swell, glassy conditions. That’s as clean as it gets. Sure, the period’s short, but for a point and reef like Vetchs, it could be really fun. That’s your window to get a couple of clean ones.
The second week looks less promising. The swell drops off, winds get cranky, and we’re back to poor surf. Not much to get excited about after the 16th, just small and messy.
So, for the best on offer: Saturday August 15th morning. That’s the one. Get out there for that glassy dawn patrol.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 41mm), heaviest during Mon morning. Warm (max 21°C on Sun morning, min 14°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the ESE on Sun morning, strong winds from the SSW by Sun night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 28mm), heaviest during Thu morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 7 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 117 | 141 | 57 | 46 | 44 | 69 | 121 | 181 | 502 | 1532 | 1182 | 944 | 643 | 536 | 234 | 286 | 277 | 246 | 286 | 331 | 277 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | glassy | on | off |
High Tide | 1:29PM1.48m | 1:51AM1.59m | 2:27PM1.68m | 2:43AM1.75m | 3:12PM1.86m | 3:25AM1.88m | 3:50PM2.00m | 4:03AM1.96m | 4:26PM2.07m | 4:37AM2.00m | 4:59PM2.09m | 5:10AM1.98m | 5:30PM2.06m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:39PM0.67m | 8:10AM0.50m | 8:36PM0.50m | 8:56AM0.33m | 9:21PM0.35m | 9:36AM0.20m | 9:59PM0.24m | 10:12AM0.12m | 10:35PM0.18m | 10:45AM0.09m | 11:08PM0.18m | 11:17AM0.12m | 11:39PM0.23m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  | | |  |  | |  | | |  | | | | | |  | |
 | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — |
 | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — |
mm | — | — | 5 | 16 | 2 | — | 2 | 5 | 11 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 6 | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 21 | 19 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 |
Feels °C | 21 | 19 | 15 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 7 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 13 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 8 |
| kJ | 117 | 141 | 57 | 46 | 44 | 69 | 121 | 181 | 690 | 1532 | 1182 | 944 | 643 | 536 | 234 | 286 | 277 | 246 | 286 | 331 | 277 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | NE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | E 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SE 8 | S 8 | SSE 8 | S 10 | S 9 | S 14 | S 14 |
| kJ | 78 | 135 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 71 | 215 | 384 | 87 | 142 | 85 | 114 | 75 | 129 | 48 | 47 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 15 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 4 | SE 8 | — | — | — | S 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | — | S 26 | S 24 | S 15 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | S 10 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | S 14 | S 14 | SW 14 |
| kJ | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | 5 | 52 | 164 | — | 13 | 11 | 17 | 74 | 63 | 47 | 61 | 26 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 8 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 4 | S 4 | SSW 7 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | SW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 4 | 9 | 554 | 2306 | 2198 | 1351 | 844 | 722 | 502 | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 154 | 739 | 404 | 285 | 218 | 907 | 1245 | 856 | 53 | 907 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 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 Vetchs Reef Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Vetchs Reef provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Vetchs Reef can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Vetchs Reef 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 (Vetchs Reef) 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 Vetchs Reef 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 Durban/KwaZulu-Natal South Coast? If you are looking for accommodation near Vetchs Reef, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Durban/KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, consider staying in Durban which is 5 km (3 miles) away. Other places in and around Durban/KwaZulu-Natal South Coast where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Glenwood which is 7 km (4 miles) away, Kwamashu, Umhlanga and Mount Edgecombe.
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