
Surf Forecasts:
Vetchs Reef surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 19 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, SE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 19 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, SE swell with 3,250 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 15 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 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 Tuesday (Sep 15) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m 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 4.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 19) 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 5.0m 11s period and expected on Monday (Sep 21) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sat 19th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sat 19th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Vetchs Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for you over the next couple of weeks.
It’s gonna be a bit of a slow start here, but we’ve got one proper standout session that’s going to make the wait worth it. For the most part, this stretch is either blown out, too small, or just messy, but there is a window of real quality if you time it right.
Things don’t really kick off until Tuesday afternoon, the 15th of September. That's your first real chance to get wet. Vetchs Reef is seeing a modest 6ft swell from the east, and the wind is glassy – dead still. The wave energy is moderate (619), and while it’s not pumping, the clean conditions mean you’ll have fun. The period is 9 seconds, so it’s a workable, short-period swell. The water temp is 69°, which is a bit colder than what you’d expect for this time of year.
The real standout, though, is Friday the 18th of September for the morning session. Vetchs Reef is firing. You’ve got a solid 12ft swell, this time from the SE, with a 9-second period. The energy is strong, hitting 1875. Now, this is a reef break, it’s an advanced spot, and it rarely breaks, so this is a special event. The wind is gentle offshore from the west, which will keep it clean and lined up. This is only for experienced surfers – 12ft is no joke, it’s a solid step up. But for those with the skills, it’s excellent out there. Keep in mind, though, that it’s an exposed spot and crowds are possible.
Later that Friday afternoon, the swell drops right off and the wind turns strong again, so don’t sleep in. Saturday morning also looks big with an 12ft SE swell, but a moderate cross-onshore wind blows it out.
The week after that is a bit of a mess. You get a few days in a row where strong onshore winds from the NE just trash the waves. There’s a moment on Monday the 21st in the morning – a 5ft E swell with a fresh offshore wind, but it’s marginal at best. After that, it’s a long run of poor conditions. There’s a flicker of hope on the 27th (Sunday) afternoon, with a 10ft ENE swell and a period of 8 seconds, combined with a gentle cross-shore wind, but even the data calls it marginal.
Overall, if you’re an advanced surfer, set your alarm for Friday the 18th of September morning. That is the one. Everything else is a gamble or a washout.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Thu morning. Warm (max 24°C on Mon afternoon, min 17°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the NE on Mon afternoon, calm by Tue night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 33mm), heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 22°C on Sat morning, min 17°C on Thu afternoon). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, strong winds from the SW by Fri afternoon). | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SE 9 | E 9 | SE 10 | SE 11 | SE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | ESE 9 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
1540 | 1604 | 679 | 619 | 660 | 586 | 514 | 333 | 333 | 386 | 379 | 1774 | 59 | 3250 | 2393 | 1868 | 1424 | 648 | 1196 | 639 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | glassy | off | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:23PM2.00m | 5:34AM1.83m | 5:48PM1.88m | 5:58AM1.71m | 6:12PM1.73m | 6:23AM1.56m | 6:36PM1.57m | 6:49AM1.41m | 7:02PM1.40m | 7:28AM1.25m | 7:47PM1.22m | 12:04PM1.17m | 00:37AM1.21m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:32PM0.29m | 11:37AM0.32m | 11:58PM0.41m | 12:00PM0.46m | 00:22AM0.55m | 12:24PM0.62m | 00:49AM0.70m | 12:49PM0.79m | 1:22AM0.86m | 1:24PM0.97m | 3:13AM1.00m | 6:40PM1.03m | ||||||||
— | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | |
5:46 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | 3 | 8 | 3 | 14 | 5 | 3 | 6 | — | — | — | 2 | — | 24 |
Temp °C | 24 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 24 | 22 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 21 |
Feels °C | 16 | 15 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | SSW 14 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | SE 10 | SE 11 | SE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | SSW 12 | ESE 9 |
176 | 63 | 679 | 619 | 660 | 586 | 514 | 333 | 333 | 386 | 379 | 101 | 59 | 3250 | 2393 | 1868 | 1424 | 648 | 14 | 639 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | — | SSW 12 | S 4 | S 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 16 | SSW 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | — | — | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | S 15 | SSW 18 |
121 | — | 49 | 9 | 21 | 10 | 27 | 35 | 21 | 18 | 179 | 95 | — | — | 51 | 77 | 36 | 15 | 4 | 60 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | — | — | SSW 12 | SW 17 | S 12 | — | — | SW 15 | S 18 | SSW 15 | — | — | — | E 9 | SSW 10 | — | S 9 | S 19 | SSW 11 |
2 | — | — | 27 | 12 | 11 | — | — | 104 | 24 | 344 | — | — | — | 41 | 10 | — | 2 | 7 | 12 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | SW 4 | — | — | — | S 5 | S 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 9 | SSE 9 | SSW 11 | — | ENE 9 | NE 6 | ENE 8 | E 10 | — |
1540 | 1604 | 10 | — | — | — | 133 | 311 | 461 | 345 | 635 | 1774 | 2327 | 49 | — | 8 | 331 | 352 | 1196 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 423 | 102 | 122 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 907 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 156 | 0 | 237 | 780 | 403 | 2 | 102 | 1 |
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.










