
Surf Forecasts:
Vetchs Reef surf forecast from 9 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 14 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, ENE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 14 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 8s period, ENE swell with 1,616 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 11 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 9s 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 Friday (Sep 11) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m 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 3.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 14) 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 2.3m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Fri 11th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Mon 14th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Mon 14th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Vetchs Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's get the rundown on this stretch.
Water temp is about 70°, pretty standard for the time of year. Nothing unusual.
Honestly, the first week or so is mostly a write-off. The wind is a cross-onshore hassle for days, and the swell is small and messy. You’ll be doing more watching than paddling. The first time there's even a glimmer of hope is Monday the 16th, with a 5ft east swell, 9-second period, and light onshore airs. The energy is moderate (430), so it's not huge, but the lighter wind might just make it rideable.
The best bet I can see is the morning of Sunday the 22nd. We've got a cross-off wind out of the south at 18 mph, which will keep the surface glassy. The swell is tiny, just 1ft from the east at 8 seconds, energy is low at 22. But that clean, rip-able look could make for some fun little waves if you’ve got a log.
There's also a bigger pulse to keep an eye on for Wednesday the 25th: an 8ft ENE swell with a 7-second period and a light onshore breeze. The energy is moderate (625), but that real short period will make it a bumpy, walled-up affair.
The second week has a couple of days with similar, small-but-clean setups and a few stronger but shorter-period pulses, but nothing that screams "go-time." A long, quiet outlook for most of the 16 days.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Thu afternoon, min 18°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NE on Wed afternoon, calm by Fri night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 25°C on Mon morning, min 18°C on Sun night). Mainly near gales. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 9 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
655 | 539 | 384 | 462 | 439 | 194 | 176 | 160 | 125 | 96 | 160 | 103 | 300 | 348 | 709 | 1543 | 1476 | 517 | 463 | 702 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 2:57PM1.93m | 3:10AM1.90m | 3:29PM2.05m | 3:42AM1.98m | 4:00PM2.12m | 4:13AM2.02m | 4:29PM2.13m | 4:41AM2.00m | 4:56PM2.09m | 5:08AM1.93m | 5:23PM2.00m | 5:34AM1.83m | 5:48PM1.88m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:07PM0.29m | 9:16AM0.19m | 9:39PM0.19m | 9:48AM0.11m | 10:10PM0.14m | 10:17AM0.09m | 10:38PM0.14m | 10:45AM0.13m | 11:06PM0.19m | 11:12AM0.20m | 11:32PM0.29m | 11:37AM0.32m | 11:58PM0.41m | |||||||
— | — | 6:01 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | |
5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:46 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 21 |
Feels °C | 16 | 16 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 22 | 20 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | ENE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SSE 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | S 14 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 |
90 | 63 | 42 | 20 | 350 | 194 | 176 | 160 | 125 | 96 | 160 | 83 | 283 | 266 | 125 | 106 | 1046 | 517 | 463 | 421 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | S 16 | SW 15 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | S 6 | S 6 | SSE 8 | S 8 | E 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 11 |
13 | 5 | 9 | 15 | 11 | 97 | 81 | 30 | 17 | 85 | 84 | 103 | 32 | 21 | 15 | 2 | 58 | 49 | 26 | 21 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | SW 11 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 19 | SE 11 | SE 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 18 | SSW 10 | S 10 | — | — | — | — | — | S 16 |
11 | 4 | 21 | 7 | 37 | 5 | 5 | 37 | 29 | 28 | 40 | 249 | 33 | 30 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SSW 6 | S 6 | — | — | E 4 | — | ENE 4 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | — | — | ENE 9 |
655 | 539 | 384 | 462 | 439 | 94 | 85 | — | — | 6 | — | 25 | 300 | 348 | 709 | 1543 | 1476 | — | — | 702 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 695 | 2 | 306 | 237 | 1 | 237 | 285 | 0 | 2 | 1238 | 2 | 2 | 907 | 739 | 483 | 267 | 1 | 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.










