Zinkwazi surfForecast / KZN North / South Africa

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 7 pm Wednesday 20 May 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
24.0° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)

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 Thursday (May 21) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 9s. 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 1.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (May 21) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 6s period and expected on Friday (May 22) at 8PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Thu 21st May)3.5ft (1.0m) 8s
Best Surf 2AM (Thu 21st May)3.5ft (1.0m) 8s
Most Powerful 5AM (Thu 21st May)3.5ft (1.0m) 8s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Zinkwazi over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Fri afternoon, min 17°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Wed night, fresh winds from the ENE by Thu afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 24°C on Tue afternoon, min 18°C on Mon morning). Mainly fresh winds.

Thursday
21
Friday
22
Saturday
23
Sunday
24
Monday
25
Tuesday
26
Wed
27
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
2
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
S
8
0.9
SSE
8
0.5
S
16
1.1
NE
5
0.5
ESE
12
0.5
S
12
0.5
S
11
0.5
S
10
0.5
S
10
0.4
SSE
13
0.4
SSE
12
0.6
SSE
12
0.6
SSE
11
0.6
SSE
10
0.6
SSE
10
0.6
SSE
10
1.1
NE
6
1.1
ENE
6
0.3
S
14
0.4
SE
9
0.4
SE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
143
101
119
63
77
71
61
52
50
55
56
109
93
82
75
71
69
69
32
23
18
Wind (km/h)
10
NW
15
ENE
35
ENE
15
N
10
NE
15
ENE
10
W
20
SSW
15
S
15
SW
10
S
10
ESE
5
NNW
15
ENE
35
ENE
10
N
10
ENE
15
SSW
10
WSW
5
SSW
10
ESE
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross
on
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
on
High Tide
6:33AM1.58m
7:11PM1.55m
7:27AM1.42m
8:20PM1.44m
8:39AM1.29m
9:48PM1.39m
10:14AM1.23m
11:15PM1.41m
11:43AM1.27m
00:22AM1.48m
12:47PM1.35m
1:11AM1.55m
1:34PM1.44m
Low Tide
00:23AM0.36m
12:46PM0.34m
1:19AM0.52m
1:43PM0.47m
2:32AM0.65m
2:56PM0.57m
4:08AM0.71m
4:26PM0.61m
5:40AM0.67m
5:46PM0.58m
6:44AM0.58m
6:46PM0.52m
7:29AM0.48m
7:32PM0.45m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
thunderstorm
rain showers
clear
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:33
6:33
6:33
6:35
6:35
6:35
6:37
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:07
5:07
5:06
5:06
5:06
5:05
5:05
5:04
2
1
1
Temp °C
21
22
24
20
23
26
21
21
22
22
20
21
21
22
23
21
22
24
21
22
22
22
21
20
17
21
22
20
20
21
23
21
21
22
21
20
20
22
24
21
23
22
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
S
8
0.9
SSE
8
0.7
SSE
7
0.7
ENE
6
0.9
E
7
0.9
E
7
0.9
E
7
0.7
E
7
0.7
E
10
0.6
SSE
5
0.6
E
10
0.6
SSE
12
0.6
SSE
11
0.6
SSE
10
0.6
SSE
10
0.8
E
6
0.6
E
6
0.7
E
6
0.7
E
6
0.4
E
6
0.4
E
6
Energy kJ
143
101
57
33
74
73
73
46
108
18
68
109
93
82
75
40
22
32
38
10
12
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
ESE
9
0.7
ESE
8
0.6
ESE
9
0.6
ESE
9
0.5
ESE
12
0.5
ESE
11
0.5
S
11
0.5
S
10
0.5
S
10
0.6
E
10
0.5
S
4
0.5
E
10
0.5
E
9
0.5
E
9
0.3
ESE
9
0.6
SSE
10
0.5
SSE
9
0.5
SSE
9
0.4
SSE
9
0.4
SE
9
0.4
SE
8
Energy kJ
84
75
61
58
77
71
61
52
50
71
10
47
43
39
16
71
50
47
32
20
18
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SSE
12
0.3
ESE
13
0.5
S
16
0.5
SSE
7
0.5
S
12
0.5
S
12
0.4
ESE
11
0.4
ESE
11
0.3
SSE
14
0.4
SSE
13
0.4
SSE
12
0.1
S
13
0.1
S
14
0.1
S
13
0.1
S
16
0.2
ESE
9
0.2
SSE
7
0.3
S
16
0.3
S
14
0.3
SE
12
0.2
SSE
12
Energy kJ
54
35
119
27
75
71
46
45
38
55
56
3
4
3
5
8
4
45
32
23
13
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
ENE
4
1.1
NE
5
1.1
ENE
7
1.3
ENE
6
0.5
SSW
4
0.6
S
4
0.5
NE
3
0.9
ENE
4
1.1
ENE
5
1.1
NE
6
1.1
ENE
6
0.4
NE
5
Energy kJ
17
63
114
133
9
12
4
34
69
69
69
7
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
3
Distance (km)
0
75
762
41
26
41
0
76
81
0
76
83
0
75
83
26
82
23
0
26
634
Best forecast wave conditions in KwaZulu-Natal North Coast
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
3
2
3
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
2
2
2
1
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
3
3
2
3
2
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
2
3
4
4
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
4
5
5
5
7
6
5
5
9
6
5
5
4
4
4
5
4
4
4
4
5
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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 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.

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