Surf Forecasts:
Warner Beach surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, SSW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, SSW swell with 1,998 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s period with S swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Warner Beach this week:
The surf forecast for Warner Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 16s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Warner Beach in the next 16 days are 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Warner Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for Warner Beach.
It’s a pretty quiet start, with nothing really worth paddling out for. The first couple of days are a write-off, with a strong cross-onshore wind on Thursday morning making a mess of a 7ft south swell. That combined energy is sitting at a moderate 627, but it’s just lumpy and poor. The water temp is 71°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year.
We’ve got a bit of a wait, but the first real glimmer of hope shows up on Friday morning, the 21st of August. It’s not a classic, but it’s the best of a bad bunch early on. A 4ft south swell, but with a long 13-second period, carrying a moderate 542 combined energy. The wind is light and cross-shore, so there’s a bit of chop, but it’s surfable. The guidance says Warner Beach is fairly consistent and picks up an ESE swell best, so this south swell isn't ideal, but it’s something.
The standout in this whole 16-day window is a bit of a long shot, and it’s a weird one. Look at Saturday afternoon, the 22nd of August. The data shows a sweet 4ft south swell, but with a very long 16-second period, and the combined energy climbs to a strong 856. The wind is a strong cross-onshore though, so it’ll be messy. But hold on… the real kicker comes later. Keep an eye on Monday morning, the 31st of August. The swell is 6ft from the SE at 7 seconds, but the energy is a massive 1176. By Monday afternoon, it’s 7ft from the ESE, with a huge 1176 combined energy. That’s proper strong. The wind is a fresh cross-shore, so it’ll be lumpy and challenging. This is expert territory. Over 8ft on the 1st of September as well, with a massive 1695 combined energy. The wind is strong cross-onshore though, so it’s a messy, powerful ocean. Not for the faint-hearted.
After that, things settle down into the first week of September. There’s a consistent run of moderate cross-shore winds and waist-to-chest high swell from the E and ENE, but the periods are short and the conditions are marginal. It’s a bumpy, choppy mess at best.
To be honest, the whole run is pretty average. The wind just doesn’t play ball for clean, glassy conditions. If you’re desperate, Friday morning the 21st is your best early bet for a grovel. For the big dogs, keep an eye on the 31st of August and 1st of September, but only if you’re happy with a battle. The setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing on most days.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Sat afternoon, min 16°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, strong winds from the SSW by Sat night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Mon afternoon, min 15°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 8 | S 8 | SSW 16 | S 13 | S 13 | S 11 | ENE 6 | S 16 | S 10 | S 9 | S 8 | S 10 | S 11 | SSW 14 | S 16 | S 16 | SSW 16 | S 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | NE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
488 | 248 | 636 | 521 | 255 | 116 | 68 | 697 | 1250 | 398 | 230 | 288 | 348 | 215 | 127 | 131 | 256 | 889 | 432 | 215 | 407 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:02PM1.20m | 8:21AM1.05m | 9:30PM1.05m | 12:09PM0.98m | 00:56AM1.09m | 1:47PM1.12m | 1:55AM1.24m | 2:24PM1.29m | 2:29AM1.39m | 2:52PM1.45m | 2:58AM1.52m | 3:19PM1.60m | 3:24AM1.64m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:43PM0.60m | 2:24AM0.71m | 2:38PM0.76m | 4:48AM0.81m | 6:12PM0.82m | 7:31AM0.70m | 7:46PM0.68m | 8:12AM0.54m | 8:23PM0.53m | 8:40AM0.39m | 8:53PM0.39m | 9:06AM0.25m | 9:20PM0.27m | ||||||||
6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | |
— | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 26 | 29 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 19 |
Feels °C | 15 | 16 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 24 | 28 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | SSW 16 | S 13 | S 13 | S 11 | S 10 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | S 9 | S 8 | S 10 | S 11 | SSW 14 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 16 | S 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | ENE 8 |
49 | 34 | 636 | 521 | 255 | 116 | 46 | 72 | 16 | 398 | 230 | 288 | 348 | 215 | 79 | 56 | 256 | 889 | 432 | 215 | 232 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | S 9 | ENE 5 | S 16 | S 8 | ENE 8 | SE 12 | S 18 | S 13 |
73 | 61 | 103 | 21 | 21 | 12 | 68 | 87 | 42 | 67 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 83 | 15 | 131 | 48 | 7 | 6 | 150 | 171 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | NE 7 | E 8 | — | — | SSW 15 | — | — | — | E 9 | SSW 13 | — | SSW 15 | E 9 | S 16 | NE 5 | S 22 | — | — | SE 11 | S 17 |
17 | 7 | 20 | — | — | 47 | — | — | — | 13 | 33 | — | 21 | 6 | 127 | 7 | 37 | — | — | 5 | 90 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 8 | — | — | ENE 3 | ENE 4 | ENE 6 | S 16 | S 10 | — | — | — | NE 2 | ENE 4 | — | S 4 | — | NE 9 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | NE 8 |
488 | 248 | — | — | 3 | 11 | 60 | 697 | 1250 | — | — | — | 1 | 13 | — | 17 | — | 26 | 40 | 154 | 407 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 261 | 25 | 0 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 136 | 256 | 301 | 25 | 0 | 27 | 27 | 8 | 19 | 184 | 0 | 482 | 659 | 190 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Durban/KwaZulu-Natal South Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Warner Beach Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Warner Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Warner Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Warner Beach 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 (Warner Beach) 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 Warner Beach 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.
Warner Beach is 11 km (7 miles) from Umlazi. If you plan a holiday in Durban/KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, look for hotels and other accommodation in Umlazi. Umlazi has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











