Surf Forecasts:
Vetchs Reef surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 5 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 9s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 3 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 8s period, NE swell with 1,619 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 6s 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 01) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 6s 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 3.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 03) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 11s period and expected on Friday (Sep 04) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 2PM (Sat 5th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Vetchs Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, grab a coffee and let’s talk about what’s comin’ up at Vetchs Reef. This spot is a tricky one—it’s a reef that rarely breaks, so when it does, it’s for the advanced crew only. The 16-day window ahead has a lot of noise, but there are a couple of windows where the stars might line up just right.
The pattern starts slow, with not much to get excited about. For the first four days, the surf is small and the wind is mostly cross-on or cross-off, making for bumpy or ordinary conditions. The swell energy is weak, with values like 161 and 184 (moderate energy) on the first day, but the waves are just messy. We’ve got a long gap of poor surf until the 5th of September—that’s a Saturday—when things finally turn around.
Saturday the 5th morning, the wind swings to a gentle cross-off from the SW, and we see 3ft of east swell with 8-second period. The energy bumps up to 204 (moderate energy), and the water is about average temperature for this time of year—nothing unusual. By afternoon, it gets even better: a light cross-off breeze from the WSW, 7ft of ESE swell, and energy climbs to 581 (strong wave energy). This is the standout—clean, solid, with that offshore wind making it glassy. The direction is close to the optimum NE swell direction, so Vetchs might just light up. But remember, this spot is inconsistent and rarely breaks, so grab it when you can.
After Saturday, the wind gets messy again—Sunday the 6th brings strong breeze and rain, and the swell drops. From the 7th through the 13th, it’s a long stretch of poor surf: small waves, onshore winds, and weak energy (often under 100). The 14th and 15th of September show some bigger swell—7ft to 10ft—but the wind is cross-on and strong, making it lumpy and messy. That’s too big for beginners and only for experts, but the conditions are rough.
The window is short, so if you’re an advanced surfer, point your board at Vetchs Reef on the afternoon of Saturday the 5th. That’s your best bet, and it’s promising but less certain this far out. The rest? Better to wait for the next season.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 33°C on Thu morning, min 18°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, fresh winds from the NE by Thu afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 33mm), heaviest during Sat morning. Warm (max 27°C on Thu night, min 17°C on Sun afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Thu night, calm by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | ||||||||||||||
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 9 | ENE 5 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | NE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | E 10 | E 8 | ESE 8 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | SE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 196 | 153 | 73 | 169 | 137 | 119 | 52 | 289 | 923 | 262 | 79 | 71 | 68 | 137 | 513 | 449 | 251 | 110 | 774 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | cross-off | cross-on |
High Tide | 5:42AM1.88m | 6:03PM1.95m | 6:14AM1.78m | 6:36PM1.81m | 6:50AM1.63m | 7:14PM1.63m | 7:38AM1.45m | 8:11PM1.44m | 9:12AM1.29m | 10:28PM1.30m | 12:19PM1.33m | 00:53AM1.40m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:42PM0.26m | 11:48AM0.23m | 00:13AM0.35m | 12:20PM0.36m | 00:47AM0.49m | 12:57PM0.54m | 1:31AM0.65m | 1:46PM0.74m | 2:44AM0.82m | 3:39PM0.92m | 5:32AM0.86m | 6:39PM0.85m | |||||||
 |  | |  | |  | | | | | |  |  |  |  |  | |  | | |
 | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — |
 | 5:39 | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 6 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 1 |
Temp °C | 19 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 33 | 33 | 27 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 19 |
Feels °C | 20 | 21 | 21 | 24 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 28 | 28 | 25 | 18 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 13 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | E 5 | E 8 | ENE 8 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | ENE 8 | SSW 12 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | S 9 | SE 8 | E 9 | S 21 | S 17 |
| kJ | 196 | 153 | 42 | 169 | 137 | 419 | 527 | 145 | 117 | 262 | 79 | 71 | 2210 | 948 | 235 | 274 | 251 | 849 | 3085 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | E 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | ENE 8 | E 8 | SSW 14 | — | — | E 10 | NE 8 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSE 8 | E 9 | — |
| kJ | 22 | 11 | 69 | 38 | 167 | 119 | 52 | 189 | — | — | 68 | 28 | 68 | 67 | 68 | 333 | 103 | 110 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | S 10 | SSW 7 | S 7 | NE 8 | SSW 5 | ENE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | S 18 | S 15 | S 14 | S 12 | SSW 11 | — | — |
| kJ | 4 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 82 | 25 | 36 | — | — | — | — | — | 25 | 113 | 106 | 108 | 123 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NE 4 | ENE 5 | — | S 3 | S 5 | — | NE 7 | ENE 8 | SSW 7 | S 8 | S 11 | — | E 8 | ESE 8 | E 10 | — | SSE 8 | SE 8 |
| kJ | — | 8 | 73 | — | 7 | 22 | — | 289 | 923 | 527 | 650 | 2548 | — | 137 | 513 | 449 | — | 1012 | 774 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 154 | 0 | 2 | 218 | 404 | 275 | 1424 | 1955 | 780 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 156 | 780 | 907 |
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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