Surf Forecasts:
Vetchs Reef surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 5s period, NE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, ENE swell with 740 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 5s period with NE 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 5s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Vetchs Reef in the next 16 days are 2.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) 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 10s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 5s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 5s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Vetchs Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's be straight with you – this is a tough stretch for the local reefs. The entire 16-day window is one long, empty gap. There isn't a single session worth paddling out for.
Vetchs Reef is a rare-breaking advanced reef, and even when it does get something, the conditions are just not cooperating. The water temp is sitting at 70°, which is pretty much average for this time of year, so at least you won't be freezing while you're sitting there waiting for nothing.
The main issue is the wind. It's howling from the NE and ENE for days on end, piling in a rough, onshore chop. There's a bit of energy in the water on the 27th of August (combined energy of 431), and the swell bumps up to 7 ft from the ENE, but it's a messy, lumpy mess with a fresh cross-onshore wind. That's a combo for experts only, and even then, the quality is poor. The 31st of August sees a bigger pulse, 8 ft from the east with a combined energy of 628, but again, 22 mph NE cross-on winds ruin it. It's a raw, lumpy scene that looks more appealing for a kite than a surfboard.
Later in the period, on the 3rd of September, the wind swings SSW and goes cross-off, which cleans things up, but the swell is tiny at 3 ft and the energy is low (92). It's pretty, but there's nothing to ride. The very end of the forecast, on the 4th of September, has a fleeting moment of light onshore wind and a 2 ft east swell, but the energy is weak and the direction is wrong.
Honestly, for this area, a blank run like this is not unusual. Vetchs Reef is a fickle spot, and when the trade winds are locked in like this, you just have to wait for a change in the pattern. Keep an eye on the charts, but don't get your hopes up for the next two weeks.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Sat afternoon, min 16°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, strong winds from the SSW by Sat afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Wed morning, min 15°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 4 | ENE 5 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 4 | NE 6 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 34 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 31 | 67 | 115 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 17 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 31 | 102 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 8:04PM1.40m | 8:28AM1.22m | 9:28PM1.25m | 12:11PM1.16m | 00:48AM1.27m | 1:47PM1.32m | 1:52AM1.40m | 2:22PM1.50m | 2:28AM1.55m | 2:50PM1.67m | 2:57AM1.68m | 3:17PM1.82m | 3:25AM1.80m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:29AM0.89m | 2:31PM0.94m | 5:06AM0.97m | 6:20PM1.00m | 7:26AM0.86m | 7:49PM0.85m | 8:07AM0.70m | 8:27PM0.69m | 8:37AM0.55m | 8:57PM0.54m | 9:04AM0.41m | 9:24PM0.40m | ||||||||
 |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — |
 | 5:34 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 23 | 27 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 20 |
Feels °C | 16 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 25 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 16 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | S 13 | SSW 11 | S 14 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | ENE 5 | S 16 | SSW 16 | S 15 | S 17 | S 16 | S 17 |
| kJ | 101 | 749 | 733 | 398 | 217 | 239 | 115 | 15 | 1034 | 612 | 441 | 365 | 247 | 17 | 193 | 427 | 688 | 576 | 422 | 464 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | S 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | — | — | — | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SSW 14 | SSE 12 | S 6 | E 9 | E 9 | S 12 | S 12 |
| kJ | 34 | 127 | 21 | 21 | 31 | — | — | — | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 6 | 37 | 14 | 66 | 6 | 6 | 137 | 190 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | SE 9 | SE 12 | — | — |
| kJ | 2 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 5 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | — | — | — | NNE 2 | ENE 5 | SSW 15 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | — | — | NE 3 | ENE 4 | S 9 | S 6 | — | — | NE 3 | ENE 4 | NE 6 |
| kJ | 276 | — | — | — | 1 | 67 | 639 | 1925 | 1924 | — | — | 1 | 12 | 192 | 136 | — | — | 6 | 31 | 102 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 329 | 329 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 862 | 53 | 329 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 713 |
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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