Surf Forecasts:
Vetchs Reef surf forecast from 30 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 1 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 11s period, SE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 2 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 12s period, SE swell with 1,818 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 1 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 10s period with ESE 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 (Aug 01) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m 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 2.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 30) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sat 1st Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sat 1st Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Vetchs Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, listen up. Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the pipe for this stretch.
First thing you need to know: there’s nothing on offer for the first few days. Thursday the 30th and Friday the 31st are a write-off. The swell is tiny and the wind is a messy cross-off that just isn’t giving us anything to work with. It’s a flat start.
Things start to look a bit more hopeful on Saturday the 1st of August. The swell picks up to 7ft to 7ft from the SE, but the wind is still cross-off and the conditions are described as marginal. The combined energy is moderate (783-961). Honestly, it’s not a day to get too excited about. The real window opens Sunday the 2nd. That’s your standout.
Sunday the 2nd of August is the best bet by a long shot. Vetchs Reef is the only break in the game here, and it’s a tricky one. It’s a reef setup that rarely breaks, so when it does, it’s special. The swell hits 8ft to 8ft from the SE, with a period of 11 seconds, giving it proper groundswell energy. The combined energy is strong (1246-1278). The morning is clean with a gentle breeze, and the afternoon sees a light cross-shore. For a spot that’s usually quiet, this is the call. The water temp is 73°F, which is about normal for this time of year. The wave energy is solid, but at 8ft, this is strictly for the experienced crew. Beginners, stay out of the way.
The rest of the week is a tough run. From Monday the 3rd through to Monday the 10th, the wind swings onshore, chopping up the surf. The swell drops and the quality goes with it. We get a few pulses of 6ft to 6ft around the 8th and 10th, but the wind is howling cross-on or cross-off, making it messy and not worth paddling out for. The combined energy drops back to weak or moderate levels.
There’s a tiny glimmer on Wednesday the 12th of August, with 5ft from the E and a light cross-shore, but the wind is a mess and the score is low. It’s a pass.
So, to sum it up: if you’re an experienced surfer, be on Vetchs Reef on Sunday the 2nd of August. That’s your one true shot. For everyone else, it’s a long wait.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Thu afternoon, light winds from the WSW by Sat night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 9 | E 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | ESE 10 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | NE 6 | ENE 7 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 235 | 48 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 670 | 783 | 924 | 1818 | 1246 | 1278 | 971 | 778 | 615 | 402 | 287 | 212 | 190 | 68 | 141 | 154 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 4:36PM1.91m | 4:43AM1.85m | 5:04PM1.95m | 5:11AM1.85m | 5:33PM1.96m | 5:40AM1.84m | 6:02PM1.94m | 6:10AM1.79m | 6:34PM1.88m | 6:42AM1.71m | 7:10PM1.78m | 7:20AM1.60m | 7:53PM1.66m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:23AM0.27m | 10:43PM0.34m | 10:50AM0.23m | 11:12PM0.31m | 11:18AM0.21m | 11:41PM0.32m | 11:47AM0.23m | 00:11AM0.36m | 12:17PM0.28m | 00:44AM0.43m | 12:50PM0.37m | 1:21AM0.53m | 1:29PM0.50m | 2:09AM0.65m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — |
 | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — |
mm | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 20 |
Feels °C | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | E 10 | SSW 14 | — | SSW 13 | ESE 10 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 |
| kJ | 235 | 47 | 156 | — | 66 | 670 | 783 | 924 | 1818 | 1246 | 1278 | 971 | 778 | 615 | 402 | 287 | 212 | 99 | 68 | 141 | 154 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 10 | — | — | SSW 16 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SE 12 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | ESE 9 | E 9 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 |
| kJ | 63 | 48 | — | — | 90 | 42 | 14 | 37 | 6 | 24 | 22 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 42 | 35 | 17 | 127 | 63 | 72 | 38 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | S 13 | S 18 | S 14 | S 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 10 | S 11 | S 12 | E 10 | ESE 9 | SSW 11 | SSW 5 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 48 | 21 | 19 | 3 | 6 | 14 | 13 | 25 | 25 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 33 | 50 | 12 | 5 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 4 | NE 5 | ENE 5 | NE 6 | — | — | SW 5 |
| kJ | 816 | 1395 | 1202 | 1229 | 1144 | 318 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 25 | 18 | 39 | 190 | — | — | 6 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 329 | 329 | 47 | 887 | 137 | 0 | 218 | 856 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 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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