Surf Forecasts:
Vetchs Reef surf forecast from 10 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 13 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 8s period, E swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 15 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 10s period, ESE swell with 928 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 11 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 5s 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 (Jul 11) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m 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 2.2m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.4m 15s period and expected on Friday (Jul 10) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sat 11th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 5s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Mon 13th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Wed 15th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Vetchs Reef over the next 16 days.
Alright folks, Rusty here. We’ve got one break on the menu for this 16-day stretch, and I gotta be straight with you – it’s a real mixed bag. Mostly, we’re looking at a lot of waiting around for the good stuff to line up.
First up, let’s talk about Vetchs Reef. This little gem is an advanced-only reef break that rarely breaks, so when it does, you gotta be ready. The crowd situation is a bit of a lottery – sometimes it’s empty, sometimes it’s busy. Water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing weird going on there.
The first few days are a write-off. Friday the 10th through Sunday the 12th, surf is tiny and weak with combined energy readings in the 20s and 80s (37-83). Not worth paddling out for.
Monday the 13th morning, things start to look a bit more interesting. We get a 5ft swell from the ESE, but the energy is moderate (303) and the wind is light cross-shore. It’s still a marginal call, probably tricky tide conditions.
Now, mark your calendars for Tuesday the 14th and Wednesday the 15th. This is the window. Tuesday morning, the swell jumps to 6ft from the ESE (9-second period, moderate energy at 502), and the wind is light cross-offshore, making for clean conditions. The forecast says “expect very good surf conditions.” But the real standout is Wednesday the 15th morning. The swell holds at 7ft from the ESE, the period stretches to 10 seconds, the energy is strong (794), and the wind goes glassy. That’s about as good as it gets for a reef. Perfect, clean lines. Just remember, this is a reef, and with a 7ft swell, it’s for experts only.
Thursday the 16th morning is still okay – 5ft from the ESE with glassy wind – but the energy drops off (418). After that, the wind turns against us, and the swell fades out. From Friday the 17th all the way through the rest of the period, it’s a lot of poor conditions with onshore wind and lumpy, choppy surf. The only flicker of hope is Tuesday the 21st afternoon, when a 7ft ENE swell (7-second period, 493 energy) comes in with clean, cross-offshore wind, but it’s a short window and the period is short, so it’ll be a bit bumpy and sectiony.
Honestly, the best bet is the two-day window of Tuesday the 14th and Wednesday the 15th. If you can make it then, Vetchs Reef will be firing. Other than that, you’re mostly watching the horizon.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Fri night. Warm (max 20°C on Fri morning, min 16°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Mon afternoon, min 16°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thu 16 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | SE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 36 | 30 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 94 | 83 | 53 | 173 | 303 | 298 | 350 | 502 | 687 | 817 | 794 | 628 | 544 | 418 | 346 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross | off | glassy | cross-on | off | glassy | on |
High Tide | 11:11PM1.53m | 11:57AM1.41m | 00:35AM1.58m | 1:19PM1.52m | 1:44AM1.67m | 2:23PM1.66m | 2:41AM1.77m | 3:15PM1.80m | 3:30AM1.86m | 4:01PM1.92m | 4:14AM1.92m | 4:43PM1.98m | 4:55AM1.93m | 5:23PM2.00m | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:45AM0.69m | 6:07PM0.68m | 7:05AM0.60m | 7:27PM0.59m | 8:08AM0.46m | 8:29PM0.48m | 8:59AM0.33m | 9:22PM0.37m | 9:45AM0.22m | 10:08PM0.29m | 10:27AM0.16m | 10:51PM0.26m | 11:06AM0.15m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  |  |  | |  |  | | | | | |  | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — |
 | 5:09 | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 |
mm | 1 | — | — | 6 | 3 | — | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 |
Feels °C | 18 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | SE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 |
| kJ | 787 | 2405 | 2412 | 1483 | 1103 | 1001 | 865 | 584 | 472 | 173 | 303 | 298 | 350 | 502 | 687 | 817 | 794 | 628 | 544 | 418 | 346 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ESE 6 | E 6 | E 6 | SSW 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | SSE 11 | S 7 | S 8 |
| kJ | 36 | 30 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 62 | 83 | 53 | 179 | 202 | 157 | 110 | 54 | 51 | 20 | 9 | 17 | 11 | 42 | 114 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 15 | SE 14 | SE 13 | SE 12 | — | — | E 7 | — | S 13 | E 8 | — | SE 11 | S 10 | — | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSW 9 | SSE 10 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | — | — | 9 | — | 3 | 22 | — | 5 | 2 | — | 16 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 15 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 4 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 94 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 1 | 53 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 155 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 475 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 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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