Surf Forecasts:
Vetchs Reef surf forecast from 4 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 11 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 8s period, ENE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 9 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, ENE swell with 1,034 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 11 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 8s period with ENE 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 Friday (Sep 11) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 1.8m and 8s. 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 3.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 9s period and expected on Friday (Sep 04) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Fri 11th Sep) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Fri 11th Sep) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Wed 9th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Vetchs Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is a tough one. Let’s be real, the outlook for Vetchs Reef is a long, frustrating wait. It’s a top-shelf reef break that’s very particular, and for the next couple of weeks, it’s just not on. The combined swell energy is low to moderate most of the time, and the wind is almost always wrong.
Right now, we’re looking at a stretch of poor to marginal conditions that runs all the way from now until around the middle of the month. The waves that do show are small, under 3 feet, and the wind is cross-onshore or onshore, churning things up. The water temp is about 69°F, which is pretty average for this time of year.
The one true standout, the only real chance for a proper session, looks to be Monday, September 14th. The combined wave energy jumps into a very solid 1212, with swell coming from the ENE at 8 feet. The period is only 8 seconds, which is a bit short, but that’s a reef break so it can still offer up some decent shape. What makes this interesting is the wind swings light cross-shore in the afternoon. That’s the best wind we see in the whole run. It’s still a marginal call with the short period, but for this spot, that’s the window. The size at 8 feet puts it in the expert-only zone, and because it rarely breaks, a solid swell like this is a very rare event.
Leading up to that, the week before is a write-off. The wind is relentless out of the NE, gusting up to 25 mph, making a mess of even the bigger swells. The combined energy gets high on the 9th and 10th, over 900, but the onshore wind kills it. That setup looks more like it would be fun for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
After that Monday, it fades quickly. The wind does improve later on the 18th of September, with clean cross-off breezes and a 6-foot swell, but the energy drops back to 310. It’s a promising glimpse, but nothing like the big day on the 14th.
So, if you’re an expert and you’ve been waiting for a crack at Vetchs, mark Monday, September 14th. It’s a long-range promise, and it could still get messy with the short period, but it’s the only standout in this whole outlook.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Fri morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri morning, min 17°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Fri morning, light winds from the ENE by Sun morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Wed morning, min 16°C on Mon night). Mainly strong winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 9 | E 10 | ESE 8 | E 10 | E 8 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 5 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 62 | 50 | 300 | 69 | 99 | 271 | 194 | 150 | 183 | 231 | 133 | 216 | 196 | 570 | 504 | 339 | 927 | 688 | 568 | 998 | 536 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 8:11PM1.44m | 9:12AM1.29m | 10:28PM1.30m | 12:19PM1.33m | 00:53AM1.40m | 1:37PM1.54m | 1:54AM1.59m | 2:21PM1.75m | 2:35AM1.76m | 2:57PM1.93m | 3:10AM1.90m | 3:29PM2.05m | 3:42AM1.98m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:46PM0.74m | 2:44AM0.82m | 3:39PM0.92m | 5:32AM0.86m | 6:39PM0.85m | 7:14AM0.69m | 7:49PM0.65m | 8:04AM0.49m | 8:32PM0.45m | 8:43AM0.32m | 9:07PM0.29m | 9:16AM0.19m | 9:39PM0.19m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | |  | |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | |  | |
 | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — |
 | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — |
mm | 5 | 3 | 3 | — | — | 3 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 21 |
Feels °C | 15 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | E 10 | S 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | S 17 | S 16 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | SSE 10 | S 10 | S 11 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SE 12 | SE 13 |
| kJ | 62 | 50 | 1107 | 953 | 637 | 290 | 194 | 150 | 183 | 3691 | 2164 | 894 | 477 | 287 | 86 | 51 | 62 | 35 | 25 | 24 | 45 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | NE 8 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 21 | SE 7 | — | E 10 | E 10 | S 18 | SSW 12 | SSE 13 | SSW 12 | E 12 | SW 15 | SSE 10 | SE 18 |
| kJ | 49 | 15 | 49 | 69 | 92 | 271 | 198 | 191 | 728 | 8 | — | 31 | 31 | 6 | 29 | 17 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 12 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 17 | S 15 | S 14 | SSW 12 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | S 10 | — | — | S 20 | — | — | S 17 | SSW 11 | SW 17 | S 16 | — | SW 14 | SW 13 |
| kJ | — | — | 23 | 112 | 148 | 82 | 114 | 69 | 133 | — | — | 7 | — | — | 5 | 13 | 12 | 5 | — | 8 | 7 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 9 | ESE 8 | — | E 8 | — | — | — | E 4 | E 10 | ENE 5 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
| kJ | 1114 | 1775 | 300 | — | 99 | — | — | — | 17 | 231 | 133 | 216 | 196 | 570 | 504 | 339 | 927 | 688 | 568 | 998 | 536 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 666 | 1242 | 802 | 2 | 780 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 108 | 862 | 554 | 475 | 895 | 354 | 510 | 683 | 2 | 253 | 243 | 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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