Surf Forecasts:
Vetchs Reef surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 15 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 10s period, E swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 15 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 11s period, ESE swell with 846 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 15 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 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 Wednesday (Jul 15) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 10s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Vetchs Reef in the next 16 days are 1.9m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 10s period and expected on Monday (Jul 20) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Wed 15th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Wed 15th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Vetchs Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk about what’s happening in the water. It’s Rusty, and I’m not gonna lie, this stretch of forecast is a tough one. For the next couple of weeks, it’s mostly a story of small windows and long waits.
The one that’s worth a look is Thursday morning, July 16th, at Vetchs Reef. That’s the pick of the bunch. Swell is dropping from 5.2ft, coming out of the east with a 10-second period, and the wind is dead calm, glassy, and offshore. It’s going to be clean. The water temp is 71.4°, which is pretty normal for this time of year. The combined energy is moderate (520). The catch? This reef *rarely breaks*, so you have to be on it. It’s a spot for the advanced crew, and it can get crowded sometimes, so expect company.
After that, it’s a slow fade. Friday the 17th, the swell drops to 3.9ft with a cross-shore breeze, and it’s not good. Saturday and Sunday the 18th and 19th are flat and choppy. Sunday afternoon on the 19th there’s a 2.3ft wave with glassy conditions, but it’s barely a wave.
Then we hit a real dry spell. From Monday the 20th through the afternoon of Tuesday the 21st, nothing. The swell is down to 1.3ft and the energy is basically zero (30).
The next little pulse shows up on Tuesday the 21st of July. The afternoon has a 3.3ft southeast swell with a 12-second period and a light cross-offshore wind. That’s a long period, so it’ll have some punch, but on a reef it can be a bit straight. The energy is moderate (305). It’s worth a look if you’re desperate.
Wednesday the 22nd of July afternoon could be glassy again with a 3ft southeast swell, but it’s small. After that, it’s pretty much done. From the 23rd to the end of the month, the swell is weak, the wind is onshore, and the energy is low. The 25th of July sees a 5.2ft bump from the ENE, but the period is a terrible 6 seconds and the wind is a nasty cross-onshore. That’s not a wave for surfing; that’s a kiteboarding forecast.
If you’re not on the reef Thursday morning, the 16th, you’re probably better off just waiting for the next good forecast. The long-range stuff is a long shot.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Wed afternoon, min 16°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sun morning, min 16°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | |||||||||||||||
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) | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | NE 5 | SE 11 | SE 12 | SE 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 725 | 770 | 723 | 520 | 392 | 327 | 273 | 230 | 194 | 192 | 153 | 118 | 122 | 94 | 48 | 30 | 27 | 34 | 278 | 268 | 254 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | off | glassy | on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:43PM1.98m | 4:55AM1.93m | 5:23PM2.00m | 5:34AM1.89m | 6:01PM1.96m | 6:11AM1.82m | 6:38PM1.88m | 6:48AM1.71m | 7:14PM1.78m | 7:24AM1.59m | 7:52PM1.65m | 8:03AM1.46m | 8:36PM1.52m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:27AM0.16m | 10:51PM0.26m | 11:06AM0.15m | 11:31PM0.27m | 11:44AM0.18m | 00:10AM0.32m | 12:21PM0.26m | 00:48AM0.41m | 12:56PM0.37m | 1:26AM0.52m | 1:31PM0.50m | 2:06AM0.65m | 2:09PM0.64m | 2:56AM0.77m | |||||||
 | |  | | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — |
 | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 24 | 24 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 19 |
Feels °C | 18 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | E 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | SE 11 | SE 12 | S 15 |
| kJ | 725 | 770 | 723 | 520 | 392 | 327 | 273 | 230 | 194 | 192 | 153 | 1077 | 827 | 699 | 48 | 739 | 409 | 366 | 278 | 268 | 836 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | SSW 9 | SSE 10 | S 9 | SSW 8 | S 7 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 11 | S 13 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 7 | E 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 13 | ENE 6 | SSW 12 | SE 12 |
| kJ | 15 | 17 | 22 | 15 | 53 | 24 | 15 | 15 | 165 | 173 | 225 | 118 | 122 | 94 | 4 | 30 | 115 | 69 | 23 | 117 | 254 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | SSE 11 | SSW 9 | S 4 | SSE 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | — | S 14 | S 10 | ENE 5 | NE 6 | S 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | E 9 | E 9 | SSW 12 | NE 6 | E 9 |
| kJ | 3 | 12 | 8 | 3 | 8 | 40 | 33 | 14 | — | 66 | 106 | 14 | 26 | 4 | 17 | 48 | 27 | 15 | 86 | 9 | 6 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | NE 5 | — | — | S 11 | — | NE 2 | NE 5 | — | S 4 | — |
| kJ | — | 4 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 34 | — | — | 1235 | — | 2 | 34 | — | 28 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 154 | 0 | 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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