
Surf Forecasts:
Vetchs Reef surf forecast from 22 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 23 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 12s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 22 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 12s period, SE swell with 319 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 23 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 12s 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 Thursday (Jul 23) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 7s. 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 1.1m 12s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore 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 (Jul 24) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Vetchs Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, breaking down the same outlook in feet and miles per hour.
Let’s be honest, the next week or so is looking more like a waiting game than a surfing safari. This spot only wakes up once in a blue moon, and for most of the next 16 days, the wind and swell are going to be fighting against us. But, like any good affair with a fickle reef, the patience might just pay off.
Our main player is Vetchs Reef. This is an advanced, rarely-breaking reef, so it's not for the faint of heart. The water temp is right around 72°, which is dead average for this time of year. Nothing unusual there.
We’ve got some long dry spells to get through. Thursday the 30th of July offers a tiny window: a glassy morning with 3ft of east swell, coming in at 9 seconds. The combined energy is only (136), so it's small and sleepy. The afternoon cleans up with a light cross-off breeze, but you’re looking at a longboard or a funboard wave, not a barrel.
Now, here’s where things get interesting. The morning of Friday the 31st shows the swell building to 8ft from the SE, but it's the afternoon that is the true standout. We’re talking a solid 8ft of SE swell (9-second period) with a combined energy of (1020) – that’s a lot of power. The wind is light and cross-off from the SSW, so the waves will be clean and lined up. But hear me now: this is expert-only territory. Over 8ft on a rarely-breaking reef is not a playground. This is the best session on the cards by a country mile.
The start of August gets messy again with onshore breezes. The morning of Sunday the 2nd of August shows promise though – a 5ft east swell (9-second period) under glassy, calm conditions. The energy is (440), so it’s a decent pulse, and way more welcoming than the monster session before it.
Looking into the first week of August, we get another chance. The afternoon of Wednesday the 5th shows a clean 5ft of east swell (8-second period, energy at 309) with light offshores. A solid choice. Then the morning of Thursday the 6th of August sees it drop to 3ft but remains clean with a cross-off breeze. A mellow way to finish the run.
So, to wrap it up: Thursday 30th is a tiny teaser. Do not miss Friday 31st July afternoon – that is the one. Big, clean, and only for the experienced. After that, the first week of August serves up a couple of smaller, cleaner days to keep you in the water. This reef is a rare bird, but when it talks, you should listen.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Wed afternoon, min 15°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the S on Fri afternoon, light winds from the SSE by Sat morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NE on Sun afternoon, calm by Mon night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SE 12 | NE 7 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | SE 9 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
319 | 312 | 167 | 164 | 106 | 60 | 43 | 42 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 247 | 163 | 98 | 237 | 154 | 100 | 126 | 151 | 136 | |
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-off | cross | on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:34PM1.41m | 10:13AM1.23m | 11:07PM1.35m | 12:17PM1.23m | 00:47AM1.38m | 1:42PM1.33m | 1:52AM1.47m | 2:30PM1.47m | 2:37AM1.57m | 3:06PM1.60m | 3:13AM1.67m | 3:38PM1.73m | 3:44AM1.75m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:58PM0.77m | 4:10AM0.86m | 4:18PM0.88m | 6:01AM0.86m | 6:17PM0.89m | 7:26AM0.78m | 7:39PM0.81m | 8:16AM0.66m | 8:30PM0.69m | 8:53AM0.54m | 9:09PM0.58m | 9:25AM0.43m | 9:42PM0.47m | |||||||
— | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | |
5:16 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 20 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 10 | 8 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | SSW 14 | SE 12 | SE 11 | S 20 | S 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | E 7 | ENE 7 | SSW 14 | E 7 | E 9 | E 10 | SSW 10 |
319 | 163 | 91 | 192 | 106 | 60 | 194 | 588 | 556 | 529 | 470 | 247 | 162 | 86 | 124 | 41 | 100 | 126 | 151 | 318 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | ENE 7 | S 22 | SE 11 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SSW 11 | SSW 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | E 9 |
261 | 236 | 167 | 164 | 20 | 36 | 43 | 457 | 314 | 231 | 165 | 257 | 181 | 74 | 24 | 25 | 98 | 131 | 120 | 136 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 13 | S 15 | ENE 7 | E 9 | ENE 7 | — | SE 11 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | — | SSW 12 | SSW 15 | SSE 9 | E 10 | SW 12 | S 6 | SSW 15 |
— | 137 | 109 | 53 | 6 | 5 | — | 42 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 12 | — | 83 | 75 | 7 | 31 | 36 | 16 | 300 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 6 | NE 7 | SSW 3 | — | SSW 6 | S 10 | S 11 | — | — | — | NNE 3 | NE 4 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | SSW 3 | SSW 5 | — | — |
156 | 312 | 3 | — | 454 | 2302 | 2859 | — | — | — | 3 | 28 | 163 | 98 | 237 | 154 | 5 | 20 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 333 | 2 | 129 | 0 | 739 | 683 | 404 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 154 | 683 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 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.










