Surf Forecasts:
Vetchs Reef surf forecast from 10 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 14 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 11s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 13s period, E swell with 1,675 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 9s period with SE 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 (Aug 12) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 9s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Vetchs Reef in the next 16 days are 2.3m 13s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) 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 4.0m 9s period and expected on Monday (Aug 10) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Wed 12th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Fri 14th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Vetchs Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Righto, let’s have a look at what’s comin’ your way.
Alright, I’ll be straight with ya – this is a stubborn stretch for Vetchs Reef. It’s a reef break that rarely breaks, and we’re staring down the barrel of a 16-day window with very little to get excited about. The first few days, from Monday the 10th to Wednesday the 12th, are basically a write-off with a strong cross-off wind and poor surf conditions. That’s a rough start.
The first real flicker of hope shows up on Thursday morning, the 13th of August. We get a clean 5ft swell from the ESE with a light offshore breeze from the W. The combined swell energy is moderate (368), and for a short while, it’ll look okay. But it’s short-lived, and by the afternoon, the wind shifts onshore and the quality drops. That’s the best we’ve got in the first week – a tiny window.
The second week gets a bit more size but the wind is a nightmare. From Saturday the 15th through to Sunday the 23rd of August, we’re looking at consistent 6ft to 8ft swell from the E and ESE, with energy readings climbing into the strong range (up to 1570). The problem is, it’s all cross-onshore – NE wind blowing hard, 9 to 22 mph – making it lumpy and choppy. That kind of setup, with that much swell and poor quality, this reef is more of a kite surfing proposition than a paddle surfer’s dream.
The standout, if you can call it that, is Thursday morning the 13th. That’s your one clean shot. 5ft from the ESE, light offshore wind, and the reef will be clean. But it’s a rare break, and the window is tiny. Beyond that, it’s a long, frustrating wait. Forecasts can change, but right now, the 16-day outlook is bleak.
Signing off, Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 29mm), heaviest during Mon morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon morning, min 14°C on Tue morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Mon morning, calm by Wed night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Thu morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 10 | ESE 10 | E 11 | E 12 | E 12 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 43 | 46 | 50 | 90 | 181 | 1395 | 992 | 924 | 604 | 368 | 249 | 202 | 319 | 603 | 1104 | 1570 | 1369 | 988 | 762 | 748 | 530 |
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 | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off | off | cross-on | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 2:27PM1.68m | 2:43AM1.75m | 3:12PM1.86m | 3:25AM1.88m | 3:50PM2.00m | 4:03AM1.96m | 4:26PM2.07m | 4:37AM2.00m | 4:59PM2.09m | 5:10AM1.98m | 5:30PM2.06m | 5:41AM1.91m | 6:00PM1.97m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:10AM0.50m | 8:36PM0.50m | 8:56AM0.33m | 9:21PM0.35m | 9:36AM0.20m | 9:59PM0.24m | 10:12AM0.12m | 10:35PM0.18m | 10:45AM0.09m | 11:08PM0.18m | 11:17AM0.12m | 11:39PM0.23m | 11:47AM0.20m | 00:10AM0.33m | |||||||
 | |  | | |  |  | |  | |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — |
 | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — |
mm | 5 | 3 | — | 2 | 3 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 |
Feels °C | 8 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 10 | ESE 10 | E 11 | E 12 | E 12 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 |
| kJ | 43 | 46 | 50 | 90 | 181 | 1205 | 992 | 924 | 604 | 368 | 249 | 202 | 319 | 603 | 1104 | 1570 | 1369 | 988 | 762 | 748 | 530 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | — | S 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 9 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | E 11 | SSE 8 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 |
| kJ | 2 | — | 5 | 70 | 173 | 388 | 293 | 135 | 149 | 149 | 98 | 108 | 125 | 51 | 9 | 22 | 20 | 3 | 11 | 10 | 9 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 24 | S 15 | SSW 19 | E 10 | S 8 | SSW 18 | S 9 | S 11 | S 9 | S 9 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 167 | 215 | 145 | 92 | 11 | 39 | 35 | 54 | 50 | 103 | 7 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | ESE 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 1933 | 2750 | 1406 | 869 | 513 | 1395 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 432 | 237 | 218 | 907 | 907 | 802 | 907 | 907 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
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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