Surf Forecasts:
Warner Beach surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, SSW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 15s period, SSW swell with 7,301 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 11s period with E 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 Monday (Aug 17) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Warner Beach in the next 16 days are 4.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Warner Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, and I’ve been staring at the charts for Warner Beach. Let’s be straight with you: this outlook is a tough one. We've got a long, frustrating gap of days with nothing worthwhile to paddle out for a good chunk of this 16-day window.
Right now, Monday the 17th into Tuesday the 18th is just... rough. We've got a 5 ft to 6 ft swell out of the east, but it's riddled with cross-shore chop and a moderate breeze. Not worth getting wet for. That sets the tone for a pretty bleak run.
From Tuesday the 18th morning, right through to Saturday the 23rd morning, it’s a total write-off. That’s nearly five days of poor surf conditions. The blues are mixed with onshore winds and lumpy, messy seas. You’re better off staying home.
So, where’s the hope? It comes late in the game, and it’s a big one. Sunday afternoon, the 23rd of August, the ocean gets angry. We’re looking at a 12 ft swell out of the south (S) with a 14-second period. The combined energy is a massive 4743 – that’s serious power. But here’s the catch: the notes tell us it’s predicted to be too big for this break. That’s expert-only territory. If you’re an experienced charger with the right board, this is your moment. The wind is cross-on, so it won’t be glassy, but the raw grunt from that swell is undeniable. Keep in mind, with that long period, it’ll be walled up and best for a ledge or a reef if you can find one; at Warner Beach, it might just close out.
Monday the 24th keeps the big swell alive: 10 ft from the south with a 17-18 second period, giving us 4666 and 5597 energy values. Again, "too big for this break" is the verdict. It’s a powerful groundswell, but it’s likely unsurfable for most. For the brave, the tide and wind are favorable, but the size is the enemy. The wind is cross-shore, so it won't be clean.
After that, Tuesday the 25th through the end of the month, it drops back down into a messy mix of poor conditions and marginal surf. A few waist-high waves with onshore winds or lumpy chop. Not your day.
The best on offer? Sunday the 23rd and Monday the 24th of August. These two days are the standouts, but only for the absolute experts. The swell height is over 8 ft, so that’s a full-on commitment. If you’re not ready for that kind of power, skip it. The water is about average for this time of year, so no wetsuit concerns there.
For everyone else, it's a waiting game. The surf stays small or messy. Don't force it.
Later, Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Mon afternoon, min 16°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sat afternoon, min 18°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, fresh winds from the SSW by Sat afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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 11 | E 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | SSW 15 | S 8 | S 8 | SSW 16 | S 16 | S 14 | NE 7 | S 6 | S 8 | SSW 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
683 | 541 | 671 | 651 | 246 | 164 | 155 | 117 | 93 | 322 | 476 | 313 | 333 | 1107 | 545 | 289 | 197 | 925 | 1319 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 6:08AM1.62m | 6:30PM1.67m | 6:36AM1.49m | 6:58PM1.52m | 7:04AM1.35m | 7:26PM1.36m | 7:34AM1.20m | 8:02PM1.20m | 8:21AM1.05m | 9:30PM1.05m | 12:09PM0.98m | 00:56AM1.09m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:08AM0.19m | 12:13PM0.14m | 00:37AM0.30m | 12:41PM0.28m | 1:06AM0.43m | 1:10PM0.44m | 1:38AM0.57m | 1:43PM0.60m | 2:24AM0.71m | 2:38PM0.76m | 4:48AM0.81m | 6:12PM0.82m | |||||||
— | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | |
5:31 | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 22 | 23 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 19 |
Feels °C | 16 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | ENE 7 | E 8 | E 8 | S 8 | S 16 | S 14 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | S 10 |
683 | 541 | 500 | 414 | 246 | 164 | 155 | 117 | 86 | 156 | 34 | 22 | 144 | 1107 | 545 | 129 | 84 | 23 | 725 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | S 9 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | SSW 15 | E 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | E 8 | E 8 | S 12 | — | SSW 14 | ENE 8 |
8 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 11 | 17 | 8 | 93 | 103 | 75 | 64 | 333 | 21 | 12 | 184 | — | 40 | 12 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | S 12 | S 11 | S 17 | S 18 | SSW 11 | SW 17 | SSW 15 | — | — | NE 7 | NE 7 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
8 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 11 | 11 | 84 | — | — | 12 | 2 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 5 | NE 6 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | SSW 6 | S 5 | S 5 | — | ENE 4 | SSW 15 | S 8 | S 8 | — | — | ENE 4 | NE 7 | S 6 | S 8 | SSW 9 |
71 | 67 | 671 | 651 | 113 | 58 | 21 | — | 26 | 322 | 476 | 313 | — | — | 31 | 289 | 197 | 925 | 1319 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 29 | 27 | 27 | 0 | 184 | 184 | 0 | 27 | 27 | 110 | 301 | 256 | 0 | 27 | 712 | 0 | 183 | 836 | 25 |
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.











