Surf Forecasts:
Vetchs Reef surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 9s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 10s period, E swell with 470 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 11PM (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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 5s. 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 1.6m 10s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) 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 3.5m 11s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Vetchs Reef over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Wed morning, min 18°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, strong winds from the SSW by Wed night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Sat morning, min 17°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, fresh winds from the SSW by Sat afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 5 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
470 | 202 | 162 | 155 | 117 | 89 | 142 | 35 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 123 | 211 | 99 | 64 | 23 | 15 | 15 | 15 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 6:38AM1.67m | 6:58PM1.71m | 7:05AM1.52m | 7:27PM1.56m | 7:37AM1.37m | 8:04PM1.40m | 8:28AM1.22m | 9:28PM1.25m | 12:11PM1.16m | 00:48AM1.27m | 1:47PM1.32m | 1:52AM1.40m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:39AM0.45m | 12:42PM0.46m | 1:08AM0.59m | 1:09PM0.61m | 1:41AM0.74m | 1:39PM0.78m | 2:29AM0.89m | 2:31PM0.94m | 5:06AM0.97m | 6:20PM1.00m | 7:26AM0.86m | 7:49PM0.85m | |||||||
— | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | |
5:31 | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 32 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 18 |
Feels °C | 20 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 28 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 7 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 16 | S 14 | S 13 | S 11 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 13 | S 15 | S 14 |
470 | 202 | 162 | 155 | 117 | 89 | 142 | 105 | 102 | 1589 | 836 | 408 | 160 | 99 | 64 | 23 | 2235 | 3452 | 2216 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | S 18 | SW 16 | S 5 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | — | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | — | — | S 10 | — | — | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 |
5 | 6 | 11 | 33 | 84 | 163 | — | 35 | 22 | 20 | 21 | — | — | 46 | — | — | 15 | 15 | 15 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | — | SSW 11 | SSW 16 | SSW 5 | — | — | NE 7 | NE 6 | — | — | — | — | SSW 13 | — | — | ENE 7 | — | — |
2 | — | 12 | 27 | 9 | — | — | 12 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 101 | — | — | 5 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 5 | SSW 6 | S 6 | — | — | ENE 4 | SSW 15 | SSW 8 | S 8 | — | NE 3 | ENE 5 | ENE 7 | — | SSW 6 | S 11 | — | — | — |
48 | 237 | 166 | — | — | 20 | 174 | 730 | 382 | — | 2 | 123 | 211 | — | 483 | 2957 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 210 | 137 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 122 | 329 | 237 | 1 | 574 | 695 | 3 | 0 | 666 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Durban/KwaZulu-Natal South Coast | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.











