Surf Forecasts:
Vetchs Reef surf forecast from 13 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 10s period, ENE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 11s period, E swell with 807 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s 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 Thursday (Aug 13) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 8s 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 1.8m 11s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Mon 17th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Vetchs Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break it down.
We’re looking at a single spot for the entire 16-day stretch: Vetchs Reef. This is an advanced, rarely-breaking reef, and the forecast is a real mixed bag.
Water temp is about 71° – right around normal for this time of year, no big deal.
The only real highlight is Thursday morning, August 13th. Overcast skies, a clean 6ft swell out of the ESE with an 8-second period, and a light 3 mph cross-offshore wind from the SSW. The combined swell energy is 433, which is moderate. This is the one clean window where this picky reef might actually line up. It’s a rare opportunity, so if you’re after it, be there.
After that, it’s a long dry spell. From Friday August 14th all the way to Monday August 24th – that’s nearly 11 days – the conditions are poor. Steady cross-onshore NE winds, choppy water, and small, weak swells. The combined energy drops into the weak double digits and eventually to single digits. Not worth the drive.
There’s a small chance on Friday August 21st morning with an offshore SW breeze at 19 mph and a clean 4ft swell, but the period is a short 7 seconds, and the overall quality is just marginal. Clean, but not really punchy.
Then in the second week, things get bigger but not better. Wednesday August 26th through Thursday August 27th brings a pulse of 8ft to 10ft swell from the ENE, with energy jumping up to 1424. But the wind is mostly cross-onshore, and the period is short (8-9 seconds). For a finicky reef, that’s likely a washing machine. This size with onshore wind is expert-only and honestly looks better for a kite than a paddle. The Thursday 27th afternoon does get a clean 14 mph cross-offshore wind, but the swell is still 8ft and messy.
Bottom line: the one and only standout is that Thursday August 13th morning. Mark it. Everything else is a grind or a skip.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sat afternoon, min 15°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Tue afternoon, min 16°C on Sun morning). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, fresh winds from the SSW by Tue night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 8 | SE 8 | E 10 | ESE 8 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 10 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | S 6 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 433 | 222 | 219 | 244 | 431 | 452 | 432 | 580 | 807 | 688 | 762 | 720 | 510 | 692 | 347 | 415 | 285 | 165 | 90 | 68 | 89 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | glassy |
High Tide | 4:26PM2.07m | 4:37AM2.00m | 4:59PM2.09m | 5:10AM1.98m | 5:30PM2.06m | 5:41AM1.91m | 6:00PM1.97m | 6:10AM1.80m | 6:29PM1.85m | 6:38AM1.67m | 6:58PM1.71m | 7:05AM1.52m | 7:27PM1.56m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:12AM0.12m | 10:35PM0.18m | 10:45AM0.09m | 11:08PM0.18m | 11:17AM0.12m | 11:39PM0.23m | 11:47AM0.20m | 00:10AM0.33m | 12:15PM0.32m | 00:39AM0.45m | 12:42PM0.46m | 1:08AM0.59m | 1:09PM0.61m | 1:41AM0.74m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  |  | |  | |
 | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — |
 | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 |
Temp °C | 17 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 |
Feels °C | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 23 | 19 | 21 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | SE 8 | E 10 | ESE 8 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | S 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 |
| kJ | 433 | 222 | 219 | 244 | 431 | 452 | 432 | 580 | 807 | 688 | 10 | 720 | 510 | 440 | 347 | 275 | 252 | 165 | 90 | 68 | 49 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | E 8 | SSE 8 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | S 9 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | S 9 | S 9 | SW 12 | S 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | E 8 |
| kJ | 85 | 82 | 114 | 104 | 26 | 6 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 64 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 19 | E 10 | SSW 20 | S 10 | S 9 | S 15 | S 9 | S 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | S 13 | SW 12 | S 11 | S 17 | S 16 | — | — | — | SW 12 |
| kJ | 37 | 100 | 129 | 16 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 15 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 5 | — | — | — | 40 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | ENE 4 | NNW 3 | NNE 4 | — | NNE 4 | NNE 4 | E 11 | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | ENE 10 | NNE 6 | ENE 9 | ENE 7 | SSW 6 | S 7 | S 7 | S 6 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 8 | 4 | 31 | — | 39 | 35 | 762 | 80 | 31 | 692 | 42 | 415 | 285 | 229 | 176 | 150 | 89 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 700 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 285 | 329 | 713 | 0 |
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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