Surf Forecasts:
Vetchs Reef surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 10s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, NE swell with 1,245 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 10s period with E 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 Sunday (Aug 30) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 10s 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 8s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 4.0m 10s period and expected on Friday (Sep 04) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sun 30th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Sun 30th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Vetchs Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's take a look at what's on the table for the next couple of weeks.
Well, I gotta be straight with you, this is a tough one. The outlook for Vetchs Reef is a long, dry spell. We're looking at a solid 16-day window, but the first real glimmer of anything worth paddling out for doesn't show up until we get into the second week.
From August 30th right through to September 10th, it's a wasteland. Scores are all zeroes, the comments are all "poor surf conditions." The wind is mostly cross-off or onshore, but the swell is either small, short-period, or just not organised. There's a period around September 9th where the swell bumps up to 7ft from the ENE, but it's still getting a zero score, likely because the 6-second period is just too short and weak to make the reef work properly. The energy is moderate at best, but it's just not getting it done. There's a couple of days in early September with a 5ft swell, but again, the wind and period are all wrong.
The first real standout, and I mean the only one, is Friday, September 11th. On the morning of the 11th, we've got a 7ft ENE swell with an 8-second period, and the combined energy is solid. By the afternoon, it's even better – 8ft from the ENE with an 8-second period, and the energy jumps up. That's a strong pulse of energy. The wind is light cross-on from the SE, so it'll be a bit textured but far from blown out. That 8ft is a solid size for a reef, and it's really only for the experienced crew. The water temp is about average for this time of year.
Then, Saturday the 12th drops off again, with the swell fading and the wind turning onshore from the NE. So, that Friday is your window. It's a bit of a long-range promise, so keep an eye on it, but it's the only shot of quality in the whole 16 days. If you're an expert and you can handle a bigger, punchy reef wave, that's your day.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 23°C on Tue afternoon, min 18°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NE on Sat night, calm by Sun night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 30°C on Thu afternoon, min 18°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, near gales from the SSW by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NE 8 | ENE 9 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 9 | ENE 8 | E 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | E 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1245 | 352 | 273 | 207 | 202 | 260 | 235 | 188 | 121 | 186 | 123 | 55 | 52 | 40 | 270 | 48 | 31 | 31 | 33 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross |
High Tide | 4:45AM1.97m | 5:04PM2.09m | 5:13AM1.95m | 5:32PM2.04m | 5:42AM1.88m | 6:03PM1.95m | 6:14AM1.78m | 6:36PM1.81m | 6:50AM1.63m | 7:14PM1.63m | 7:38AM1.45m | 8:11PM1.44m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:45PM0.19m | 10:51AM0.12m | 11:13PM0.20m | 11:19AM0.15m | 11:42PM0.26m | 11:48AM0.23m | 00:13AM0.35m | 12:20PM0.36m | 00:47AM0.49m | 12:57PM0.54m | 1:31AM0.65m | 1:46PM0.74m | 2:44AM0.82m | ||||||
 |  | |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | |  |  | |
 | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — |
 | 5:37 | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 2 | 1 |
Temp °C | 21 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 28 | 30 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 15 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 25 | 26 | 13 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 7 | ENE 9 | E 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | SSE 9 |
| kJ | 739 | 352 | 273 | 207 | 202 | 260 | 235 | 188 | 55 | 186 | 123 | 55 | 441 | 160 | 270 | 47 | 31 | 31 | 1084 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 14 | S 6 | SE 5 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | SSW 7 | S 7 | SSW 14 | NE 6 | S 17 | S 6 | E 9 | — | E 10 | NE 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 101 | 42 | 18 | 97 | 29 | 45 | 22 | 5 | 4 | 36 | 33 | 140 | 36 | 40 | — | 48 | 9 | 51 | 70 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 10 | SE 15 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSW 6 | SSE 11 | SE 10 | S 10 | S 15 | S 7 | — | SSW 13 | E 8 | SSW 6 | — | — | — | NE 7 | E 10 |
| kJ | 4 | 8 | 17 | 28 | 31 | 11 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 | — | 69 | 52 | 12 | — | — | — | 9 | 33 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 8 | SSW 7 | S 8 | — | — | SSE 5 | — | NE 4 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | SSW 6 | S 7 | — | ENE 5 | SSW 5 | S 8 | S 10 | SSE 10 | — |
| kJ | 1245 | 403 | 408 | — | — | 17 | — | 11 | 121 | 167 | 263 | 206 | — | 37 | 160 | 1330 | 3074 | 2248 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 19 | 329 | 404 | 0 | 2 | 47 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 156 | 156 | 2 | 237 | 4 | 53 | 53 | 2610 | 1 |
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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