Zinkwazi surfForecast / KZN North / South Africa

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 1 pm Tuesday 13 Jan 2026 SAST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Zinkwazi surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Zinkwazi sea temperature is
24.9° C
(Which is slightly cooler than normal)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Zinkwazi this week:

The surf forecast for Zinkwazi over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jan 13) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 14s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Zinkwazi in the next 12 days are 3.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jan 19) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.3m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Jan 15) at 8AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Tue 13th Jan)1.5ft (0.5m) 14s
Best Surf 5AM (Sat 17th Jan)5ft (1.6m) 10s
Most Powerful 2AM (Mon 19th Jan)10ft (3.0m) 9s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Zinkwazi over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Wed afternoon, min 22°C on Tue night). Mainly strong winds.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 25°C on Sat afternoon, min 21°C on Sun night). Mainly near gales.

Tue
13
Wednesday
14
Thursday
15
Friday
16
Saturday
17
Sunday
18
Monday
19
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
2
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.5
S
0.4
SSW
0.3
SSW
0.3
SSW
0.2
S
0.1
S
2.3
SSW
3
SSW
1.9
S
1.7
S
1.6
S
1.1
S
1
S
0.9
ESE
0.8
S
2.5
S
3
S
1.9
S
1.8
S
1.5
SSE
0.8
ESE
Period(s) (?)1413121211218887799108798879
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)102573028995761076435310261190187169826811461458381192110
Wind
(km/h)
10
ESE
10
NNE
15
ESE
40
NE
30
NNE
30
SSW
40
SSW
25
SW
25
S
30
SSW
15
SW
15
SSE
20
E
15
NNE
20
S
60
SSW
40
SW
35
S
30
S
25
SSW
30
S
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
crossoncrosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross
High Tide
/ height (m)
12:58AM
1.17
1:23PM
1.31
2:02AM
1.28
2:15PM
1.43
2:44AM
1.41
2:54PM
1.55
3:18AM
1.54
3:27PM
1.66
3:49AM
1.65
3:57PM
1.75
4:19AM
1.75
4:26PM
1.82
4:49AM
1.83
Low Tide
/ height (m)
6:38PM
0.74
6:54AM
0.73
7:48PM
0.63
7:58AM
0.62
8:32PM
0.50
8:41AM
0.50
9:07PM
0.37
9:16AM
0.39
9:38PM
0.25
9:48AM
0.29
10:07PM
0.16
10:19AM
0.22
10:36PM
0.08
10:50AM
0.18
Tue
13
Wednesday
14
Thursday
15
Friday
16
Saturday
17
Sunday
18
Monday
19
Sunrise--5:07--5:07--5:09--5:09--5:11--5:11--5:11
Sunset6:57--6:57--6:57--6:57--6:57--6:55--6:55--
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
thunderstorm
light rain
part cloud
clear
rain showers
part cloud
Rain (mm)
---------------14--1-
Temp. °C262525322725242324242323252425252222232323
Feels °C (?)292826272326211921212123252525231616182018
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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 12 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.

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