
Surf Forecasts:
Zinkwazi surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 13s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, SSW swell with 1,147 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 17 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 10s period with ESE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Zinkwazi this week:
The surf forecast for Zinkwazi over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 17) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Zinkwazi in the next 16 days are 3.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 8s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Zinkwazi over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sat afternoon, min 16°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Wed afternoon, min 16°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Tue morning, strong winds from the SSW by Wed night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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 10 | ESE 10 | S 11 | S 14 | S 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | S 9 | S 8 | S 7 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
169 | 132 | 116 | 98 | 365 | 625 | 681 | 660 | 680 | 647 | 456 | 360 | 268 | 205 | 150 | 123 | 80 | 487 | 283 | 107 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off |
High Tide | 6:00PM1.91m | 6:08AM1.76m | 6:37PM1.83m | 6:43AM1.65m | 7:14PM1.71m | 7:19AM1.52m | 7:52PM1.57m | 7:58AM1.39m | 8:34PM1.43m | 8:48AM1.25m | 9:34PM1.30m | 10:12AM1.14m | 11:14PM1.22m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:05AM0.20m | 12:15PM0.10m | 00:42AM0.30m | 12:51PM0.21m | 1:20AM0.42m | 1:27PM0.35m | 2:00AM0.54m | 2:07PM0.50m | 2:49AM0.66m | 2:58PM0.65m | 4:00AM0.75m | 4:21PM0.76m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | |
5:14 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 24 | 20 | 29 | 32 | 26 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
Feels °C | 18 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 18 | 24 | 29 | 22 | 18 | 17 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | S 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | ENE 8 | E 8 | SE 11 | SE 11 | S 7 |
169 | 132 | 98 | 98 | 365 | 625 | 681 | 660 | 680 | 647 | 456 | 360 | 268 | 205 | 150 | 79 | 90 | 76 | 58 | 107 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 14 | S 11 | S 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | E 10 | ESE 9 | SSW 10 | NE 4 | ENE 5 | S 15 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | SE 11 | SE 11 | E 8 | E 8 | SE 11 |
25 | 60 | 116 | 68 | 69 | 69 | 56 | 49 | 29 | 104 | 9 | 11 | 19 | 43 | 51 | 123 | 80 | 20 | 10 | 42 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | SSW 9 | S 15 | S 14 | SE 15 | E 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | ESE 9 | S 9 | S 12 | SSW 12 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 | — | SSW 12 | S 13 | E 7 |
12 | 15 | 39 | 94 | 109 | 92 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 76 | 68 | 99 | — | 14 | 13 | 15 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | — | — | ENE 2 | SW 2 | — | — | — | — | NNE 6 | NNE 4 | NE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | SSW 5 | S 9 | S 8 | — |
42 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 31 | 27 | 25 | 103 | 102 | 226 | 121 | 487 | 283 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 67 | 41 | 0 | 23 | 81 | 0 | 23 | 83 | 41 | 26 | 83 | 0 | 26 | 83 | 81 | 82 | 318 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in KwaZulu-Natal North Coast | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Zinkwazi Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Zinkwazi provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Zinkwazi can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Zinkwazi 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 (Zinkwazi) 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 Zinkwazi 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 KwaZulu-Natal North Coast? If you are looking for accommodation near Zinkwazi, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in KwaZulu-Natal North Coast, consider staying in Stanger which is 21 km (13 miles) away. Other places in and around KwaZulu-Natal North Coast where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Eshowe which is 38 km (24 miles) away, Ballitoville, eSikhawini and Empangeni.










