Surf Forecasts:
Vetchs Reef surf forecast from 28 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 1 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 10s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 2 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 10s period, ESE swell with 1,402 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 1 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 9s 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 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m 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 2.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 8s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Sat 1st Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sat 1st Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Vetchs Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. The 16-day window is a mixed bag—there’s definitely some swell coming, but the wind and conditions are gonna make you work for it. The real action, if you can call it that, is a short burst around the start of August. Let’s break it down.
The first good sign shows up on Saturday, August 1st. Vetchs Reef is the only name in the hat here, and it’s a tricky one. This reef rarely breaks, so when it does, you pay attention. Saturday morning we’ve got a 6ft swell from the ESE, period around 9 seconds, with a gentle breeze. The combined energy of all swells is moderate (561). The water temp is sitting at 73°, which is about normal for this time of year. The wind is cross-off, promising clean lines. The afternoon sees the swell jump to 8ft from the SE, but the wind shifts to a light cross-onshore, which will put a bit of texture on the face. Still, for a spot that’s rarely on, this is the standout morning.
Sunday, August 2nd is the biggest push. Morning swell hits 8ft from the ESE, with a 10-second period. The energy is strong (1351). This is getting into expert territory, though. The wind is a light cross-onshore, so it’s not glassy, but it’s manageable. The afternoon stays big at 8ft, but the wind picks up to a moderate cross-onshore, making it choppy. The tide could be a factor here, so keep that in mind.
After that, things drop off. The swell fades through the week, and the wind stays onshore or cross-onshore, keeping the quality poor. There’s a gap of several days with no real recommendations. The best of the rest might be a tiny window on Monday, August 10th in the morning, when the wind goes glassy and the swell is a weak 3ft from the east. The energy is weak (102). It’s surfable but ordinary.
Overall, the standout is Saturday morning at Vetchs Reef. It’s rare, it’s clean, and the swell has some push. If you’re an expert, Sunday morning is worth a look for the size, but be ready for a bit of chop. The rest of the run is a waiting game.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 43mm), heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Tue morning, strong winds from the SSW by Thu afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Fri morning. Warm (max 20°C on Sun afternoon, min 15°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Fri morning, calm by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | SE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 41 | 45 | 67 | 87 | 108 | 87 | 85 | 65 | 440 | 0 | 890 | 630 | 561 | 880 | 1352 | 1351 | 1273 | 896 | 614 | 669 | 460 |
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 | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 3:38PM1.73m | 3:44AM1.75m | 4:07PM1.83m | 4:14AM1.81m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:25AM0.43m | 9:42PM0.47m | 9:54AM0.34m | 10:13PM0.39m | 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 | |||||||
 |  |  | | |  |  | |  | | | | | |  |  | | | | | | |
 | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — |
 | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — |
mm | 2 | 4 | 19 | 3 | 3 | 11 | — | 1 | — | 3 | 4 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 19 |
Feels °C | 17 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | E 10 | SSW 15 | SSE 9 | E 9 | SSE 9 | SSW 15 | E 10 | SE 9 | SSW 14 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
| kJ | 438 | 45 | 174 | 811 | 108 | 677 | 231 | 65 | 440 | 145 | 890 | 630 | 561 | 880 | 1352 | 1351 | 1273 | 896 | 614 | 669 | 460 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | — | E 10 | E 9 | SSW 14 | E 9 | E 9 | — | — | — | SSW 13 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 13 | S 10 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 41 | — | 67 | 87 | 158 | 87 | 85 | — | — | — | 67 | 187 | 171 | 21 | 17 | 24 | 21 | 32 | 8 | 44 | 18 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 7 | — | — | SSW 14 | — | SSW 15 | — | — | — | — | SSW 16 | SW 13 | SSW 15 | — | S 13 | S 14 | S 14 | S 18 | SSW 16 | S 11 | S 11 |
| kJ | 5 | — | — | 165 | — | 184 | — | — | — | — | 89 | 42 | 22 | — | 13 | 4 | 16 | 6 | 25 | 9 | 10 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 6 | S 7 | S 9 | — | SSE 9 | SW 5 | S 9 | S 8 | S 9 | SSE 9 | S 9 | S 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 3 | ENE 5 | NE 6 |
| kJ | 62 | 581 | 1198 | — | 666 | 74 | 846 | 1268 | 987 | 1205 | 482 | 264 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 80 | 107 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 907 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 285 | 329 | 218 | 53 | 53 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
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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