Surf Forecasts:
Vetchs Reef surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 12s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 12s period, SE swell with 925 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 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 Saturday (Jul 18) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m 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 1.8m 12s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 12s period and expected on Monday (Jul 20) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Vetchs Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Rusty here again. Let’s break it down in feet. The only spot in the game is Vetchs Reef, and it’s a finicky little devil – an advanced reef that *rarely breaks*. For the first week and a half, it’s mostly a write-off.
Saturday the 18th of July gives a small 3ft easterly swell with dead glassy conditions – proper clean. Water temp is a warm 72° (about 0.9° above average), so fine for a summer session. The energy is moderate (156), but the period is a short 10 seconds, so the waves won't have much push.
Then it’s a long, dusty stretch from Sunday the 19th through Friday the 31st of July. A few pulses of size, like Monday the 20th with 6ft SE swell, but the wind is onshore and it’s choppy. Clean offshore winds show up late July, but the fresh breezes still make a mess of things. No good.
The real highlight lands on Saturday the 1st of August, with a 5ft SE swell, gentle offshore wind, and clean conditions. The energy is building (351). Good for experienced surfers.
But the absolute standout is Sunday morning, the 2nd of August. A solid 6ft SE groundswell with a very long 12-second period and a massive energy reading of 1465. The wind is glassy – 5 km/h from the ENE – so the reef will be mirror-smooth. This is the best of the 16-day window. The swell direction is close to the optimum, so the lines should be good. That said, the size (over 5ft) and the long period on a reef means it’s experts only. Crowds can be *sometimes* a factor, so get in early. It’s a long-range call, so keep an eye on it.
Rusty.
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 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Wed afternoon, min 17°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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 | E 10 | SE 14 | NE 5 | E 10 | E 10 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 156 | 118 | 272 | 4 | 69 | 46 | 846 | 672 | 542 | 478 | 383 | 319 | 236 | 167 | 161 | 103 | 76 | 60 | 58 | 41 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 6:38PM1.88m | 6:48AM1.71m | 7:14PM1.78m | 7:24AM1.59m | 7:52PM1.65m | 8:03AM1.46m | 8:36PM1.52m | 8:51AM1.33m | 9:34PM1.41m | 10:13AM1.23m | 11:07PM1.35m | 12:17PM1.23m | 00:47AM1.38m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:48AM0.41m | 12:56PM0.37m | 1:26AM0.52m | 1:31PM0.50m | 2:06AM0.65m | 2:09PM0.64m | 2:56AM0.77m | 2:58PM0.77m | 4:10AM0.86m | 4:18PM0.88m | 6:01AM0.86m | 6:17PM0.89m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — |
 | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 20 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | S 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | ENE 7 | SE 12 | SE 11 | S 6 | SSW 11 | SSW 19 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 156 | 393 | 560 | 583 | 893 | 1135 | 846 | 672 | 542 | 478 | 383 | 319 | 236 | 88 | 161 | 103 | 116 | 320 | 920 | 1550 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | E 10 | SE 14 | SSE 13 | S 10 | E 10 | S 10 | SSW 9 | E 9 | SSW 16 | ENE 6 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SE 12 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | SE 11 | SE 11 | S 11 | E 8 |
| kJ | 173 | 118 | 272 | 229 | 135 | 46 | 290 | 82 | 15 | 87 | 59 | 222 | 213 | 167 | 28 | 20 | 76 | 60 | 231 | 23 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | SSE 14 | E 10 | S 11 | E 10 | S 10 | E 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | E 9 | SSW 15 | E 9 | — | SE 12 | SSW 12 | NE 7 | S 12 | SE 5 | SE 11 | SE 11 |
| kJ | 90 | 175 | 92 | 114 | 69 | 31 | 28 | 34 | 29 | 15 | 131 | 6 | — | 167 | 85 | 38 | 76 | 13 | 58 | 41 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NE 5 | SSW 9 | SSW 10 | — | ENE 9 | NE 4 | NE 4 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | SSW 13 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 4 | 56 | 169 | — | 33 | 4 | 28 | 129 | 41 | 85 | 317 | 58 | 312 | 175 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 218 | 666 | 237 | 0 | 2 | 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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