Surf Forecasts:
Vetchs Reef surf forecast from 10 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 15 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, NE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 14 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 9s period, ENE swell with 2,547 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 11 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 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 Friday (Sep 11) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m 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 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 14) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 4.0m 9s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 17) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Fri 11th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Mon 14th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Vetchs Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about Vetchs Reef for the next 16 days. This spot is a fickle one – barely ever breaks – and this stretch is gonna test your patience.
Right from the start, it’s rough. Thursday the 10th kicks off with a 6ft ENE swell, but a cross-on NE wind at 12 mph is chopping it up. The energy is weak (344), and with an 8-second period, it’s just messy. The water’s at 69°, which is a bit colder than usual for this time of year.
Friday the 11th cleans up with a cross-off breeze, but the swell drops to 4ft and it’s still marginal. Saturday and Sunday are onshore and forgettable. By Monday the 14th, a big pulse arrives – 10ft in the morning, 13ft in the afternoon – but so does a near-gale NE wind at 34 mph. That’s blown-out, heavy junk only for experts. The energy on that afternoon pulse is a massive 2547 (strong).
The one standout is Tuesday the 22nd of September. The morning is glassy – zero wind, flat calm. There’s a 5ft SE swell with an 8-second period. The energy is moderate (549), and the forecast says “expect very good surf conditions.” This is the one. It’s a rare event for a break that rarely breaks, so if you get it, you’re lucky. Crowds are possible though, so don’t be surprised to see some company.
The rest is either blown out or too small. A big SE groundswell on the 18th hits 13ft with a 12-second period, but the cross-on wind kills it. That very strong energy (4513) and long period would be better for a point break. A kite surfer would have a field day, but for a paddle surfer, it’s a pass.
Bottom line: wait for the 22nd if you can. The rest is a long dry spell for a spot that’s already quiet. That’s just how it goes here. Forecasts can change, but for now, don’t hold your breath.
Stay salty.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Thu afternoon, min 19°C on Thu morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Thu night, calm by Fri night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 24°C on Mon morning, min 19°C on Sun morning). Winds decreasing (near gales from the NE on Mon afternoon, calm by Tue night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 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) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | NE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 344 | 429 | 318 | 203 | 212 | 160 | 122 | 94 | 275 | 160 | 255 | 877 | 1093 | 2547 | 1709 | 606 | 544 | 431 | 470 | 422 | 268 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:29PM2.05m | 3:42AM1.98m | 4:00PM2.12m | 4:13AM2.02m | 4:29PM2.13m | 4:41AM2.00m | 4:56PM2.09m | 5:08AM1.93m | 5:23PM2.00m | 5:34AM1.83m | 5:48PM1.88m | 5:58AM1.71m | 6:12PM1.73m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:16AM0.19m | 9:39PM0.19m | 9:48AM0.11m | 10:10PM0.14m | 10:17AM0.09m | 10:38PM0.14m | 10:45AM0.13m | 11:06PM0.19m | 11:12AM0.20m | 11:32PM0.29m | 11:37AM0.32m | 11:58PM0.41m | 12:00PM0.46m | 00:22AM0.55m | |||||||
 | |  | |  | | | | | | | | | |  | | |  | | |  | |
 | 6:01 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — |
 | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 17 |
Temp °C | 23 | 24 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 24 | 22 | 20 |
Feels °C | 21 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 15 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | ENE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | S 8 | E 9 | SSE 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
| kJ | 42 | 20 | 318 | 203 | 212 | 160 | 122 | 86 | 275 | 51 | 112 | 498 | 120 | 63 | 897 | 606 | 544 | 431 | 470 | 422 | 268 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | S 6 | S 6 | E 9 | S 8 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 18 | — |
| kJ | 9 | 15 | 11 | 97 | 81 | 26 | 23 | 94 | 88 | 280 | 315 | 191 | 7 | 2 | 57 | 48 | 25 | 21 | 18 | 31 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | SW 14 | SSW 19 | SE 11 | SE 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSE 8 | S 10 | — | — | — | S 4 | — | SW 17 | SW 15 | SW 13 | — |
| kJ | 5 | 7 | 37 | 5 | 6 | 37 | 30 | 29 | 24 | 37 | 35 | 31 | — | — | — | 2 | — | 11 | 9 | 7 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | — | SSW 6 | SSW 5 | — | — | E 4 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | NE 9 | — | — | — | — | SSW 3 | SSW 7 |
| kJ | 344 | 429 | — | 80 | 47 | — | — | 19 | 84 | 160 | 255 | 877 | 1093 | 2547 | 1709 | — | — | — | — | 12 | 946 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 306 | 404 | 108 | 237 | 218 | 0 | 2 | 1267 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 687 | 456 | 0 | 306 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 685 | 554 |
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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