Surf Forecasts:
Zinkwazi surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 17s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 18s period, S swell with 2,436 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 9s period with SSE 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 4s. 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 2.0m 18s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 30) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Zinkwazi over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 20°C on Mon afternoon, min 16°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Thu afternoon. Warm (max 27°C on Sun morning, min 15°C on Fri night). Mainly strong winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | ||||||||||||||
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 10 | SSE 9 | S 16 | S 15 | S 17 | S 18 | S 18 | S 17 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | S 7 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
179 | 106 | 249 | 291 | 546 | 322 | 1197 | 2326 | 1099 | 784 | 473 | 305 | 190 | 141 | 104 | 113 | 71 | 25 | 12 | 208 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 2:24PM1.37m | 2:30AM1.48m | 2:52PM1.54m | 2:58AM1.63m | 3:18PM1.70m | 3:25AM1.75m | 3:44PM1.84m | 3:51AM1.85m | 4:10PM1.94m | 4:17AM1.90m | 4:36PM2.01m | 4:44AM1.92m | 5:03PM2.02m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:23PM0.56m | 8:40AM0.41m | 8:52PM0.41m | 9:06AM0.26m | 9:20PM0.28m | 9:31AM0.13m | 9:47PM0.17m | 9:57AM0.04m | 10:14PM0.09m | 10:22AM-0.02m | 10:41PM0.04m | 10:49AM-0.04m | 11:10PM0.04m | |||||||
— | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | |
5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 21 | 24 | 18 | 23 | 26 | 19 | 27 | 30 | 26 |
Feels °C | 17 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 12 | 22 | 24 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | SSE 9 | S 16 | S 15 | S 17 | S 14 | S 18 | S 17 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 |
179 | 106 | 249 | 291 | 546 | 264 | 1197 | 2326 | 1099 | 784 | 473 | 305 | 190 | 141 | 104 | 113 | 549 | 538 | 492 | 251 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | ENE 5 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SE 9 | S 18 | E 8 | E 12 | SE 6 | SE 7 | SSE 16 | — | S 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 15 | — | S 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | S 12 |
6 | 7 | 79 | 53 | 22 | 322 | 5 | 11 | 45 | 77 | 90 | — | 20 | 76 | 73 | — | 71 | 25 | 12 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 12 | S 16 | SSE 12 | S 18 | E 8 | SE 9 | SE 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
14 | 81 | 13 | 56 | 6 | 13 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 4 | NE 5 | — | — | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | — | — | ESE 6 | ENE 6 | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | NNE 6 | ENE 10 | SSW 4 | S 7 |
7 | 25 | — | — | 10 | 6 | — | — | 48 | 155 | 287 | 327 | 592 | 384 | 384 | 627 | 4 | 1079 | 13 | 208 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 83 | 0 | 81 | 366 | 23 | 0 | 76 | 0 | 931 | 931 | 590 | 489 | 779 | 273 | 590 | 699 | 484 | 415 | 504 | 41 |
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.











