Surf Forecasts:
Zinkwazi surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 26 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 18s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 17s period, S swell with 2,682 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 14s period with S 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 Saturday (Aug 22) at 2PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 1.0m and 5s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Zinkwazi in the next 16 days are 2.1m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 7s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Zinkwazi over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 36°C on Sat afternoon, min 17°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SSW on Sat night, calm by Sun night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Thu morning, min 17°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, fresh winds from the NE by Thu morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | ||||||||||||||
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 13 | S 11 | S 14 | S 15 | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 8 | S 10 | S 10 | S 16 | S 16 | S 16 | S 16 | S 17 | S 17 | S 17 | S 17 | S 17 | S 17 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
421 | 163 | 96 | 210 | 1160 | 996 | 700 | 239 | 231 | 145 | 84 | 125 | 309 | 496 | 718 | 1103 | 2124 | 2682 | 2142 | 1881 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 9:25PM1.12m | 12:05PM1.05m | 00:57AM1.16m | 1:47PM1.20m | 1:56AM1.32m | 2:24PM1.37m | 2:30AM1.48m | 2:52PM1.54m | 2:58AM1.63m | 3:18PM1.70m | 3:25AM1.75m | 3:44PM1.84m | 3:51AM1.85m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:39PM0.81m | 4:42AM0.86m | 6:12PM0.87m | 7:29AM0.74m | 7:45PM0.72m | 8:11AM0.58m | 8:23PM0.56m | 8:40AM0.41m | 8:52PM0.41m | 9:06AM0.26m | 9:20PM0.28m | 9:31AM0.13m | 9:47PM0.17m | |||||||
— | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | |
5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:36 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 19 | 28 | 36 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 23 | 24 | 19 |
Feels °C | 18 | 20 | 26 | 32 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | S 11 | S 10 | S 15 | E 8 | E 8 | S 9 | S 8 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 16 | S 16 | S 17 | S 17 | S 17 | S 17 | S 17 | S 17 |
421 | 163 | 66 | 210 | 12 | 6 | 505 | 239 | 231 | 145 | 84 | 79 | 309 | 496 | 718 | 1103 | 2124 | 2682 | 2142 | 1881 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | ESE 4 | S 14 | — | — | — | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | S 16 | E 4 | S 16 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | E 8 | E 8 | SSE 7 | S 17 | SSW 13 | — |
21 | 7 | 96 | — | — | — | 6 | 6 | 6 | 21 | 6 | 125 | 58 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 89 | 1116 | 229 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 8 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | E 9 | E 9 | S 16 | SSE 11 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | S 10 | — | — | — | — |
— | 20 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 6 | 75 | 12 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 2 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 3 | — | E 4 | E 5 | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 | — | — | E 4 | — | — | — | — | S 3 | — | — | ENE 4 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 |
5 | — | 9 | 36 | 1160 | 996 | 700 | — | — | 22 | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | 31 | 148 | 103 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 83 | 26 | 26 | 41 | 486 | 410 | 366 | 0 | 83 | 83 | 0 | 75 | 83 | 0 | 23 | 76 | 26 | 792 | 817 | 504 |
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.











