Durban North Beach
Durban North Beach is one of South Africa's classic urban beach breaks, a warm-water setup shaped by piers, sand movement and the constant energy of the Golden Mile. It is far more accessible than the country's remote points, but it still has power, sweep and crowd pressure when the banks are good. Best sessions come with clean morning land breezes and organized E-SE swell.
Durban North Beach surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- ESE (110°)
- Direction range
- 80° - 130°
- Size range
- 0.9m - 2.4m
- Ideal size
- 1.6m - 2m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 12s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- WSW (240°)
- Offshore range
- 210° - 270°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low to mid
Water temp
23°C
Wetsuit
Springsuit / 2mm
Bottom
Sand
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
6/10
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Durban North Beach?
Durban North Beach is a beach break in Durban, South Africa, with peaks that run both left and right over a sand bottom. It's also a renowned bodyboarding wave.
What swell works best at Durban North Beach?
Durban North Beach picks up swell from the E round to the SE, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the ESE. It starts working at around 0.9m and handles up to about 2.4m, with the sweet spot around 1.6 to 2m. Period matters too: aim for 12s or longer, as anything under 8s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Durban North Beach?
A WSW wind is dead offshore at Durban North Beach, and anything from the SSW round to the W keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to midday. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Durban North Beach?
Durban North Beach is at its best around the low to mid tide.
When is the best time of year to surf Durban North Beach?
The most reliable run of swell at Durban North Beach comes Mar to Sep.
How cold is the water at Durban North Beach?
The water at Durban North Beach averages around 23°C, so you'll want a springsuit or 2mm. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Durban North Beach good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 6/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. Expect a moderate crowd (6/10) when it's on. Shark nets in place. Warm water year-round.
How do I get to Durban North Beach?
The nearest airport on our list is DUR, then it's roughly a 10-minute drive.
What other surf spots are near Durban North Beach?
The closest breaks we track are Bay of Plenty (0.3 km) and Cave Rock (8.9 km), handy when Durban North Beach isn't working. Fun fact: it's the second most northerly break we track in South Africa.
Best Season
Peak: Mar-Sep