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Richards Bay 72.9
#2355 of 5753 surf spots in the world · 🇿🇦 South Africa · KwaZulu-Natal · near Ulundi
Works almost every day, wind is the enemy here, no off season.
Works all yearWarm waterIntermediate
Surf score72.9 /100
Surfable days100% of the year
Clean days20% groundswell + friendly wind
Groundswell32% period 11 s+
Typical size1.6 m 5.3 ft median
Water25°C a rash vest or 2 mm
Best time to surf Richards Bay
The best time to surf Richards Bay is May, June, August. It rarely works. In May the water sits around 25°C, so pack a rash vest or 2 mm, and the typical wave is 1.5 m. The nearest airport is DUR (171 km) and the nearest town is Ulundi (86 km).
| Month | Surfable | Clean | Size | Water | Suit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 100% | 9% | 1.6 m | 26°C | boardies |
| Feb | 100% | 19% | 1.5 m | 27°C | boardies |
| Mar | 100% | 26% | 1.5 m | 27°C | boardies |
| Apr | 99% | 26% | 1.6 m | 26°C | boardies |
| May | 100% | 39% | 1.5 m | 25°C | vest |
| Jun | 100% | 32% | 1.6 m | 24°C | vest |
| Jul | 99% | 30% | 1.6 m | 23°C | vest |
| Aug | 97% | 34% | 1.8 m | 22°C | vest |
| Sep | 100% | 9% | 1.7 m | 23°C | vest |
| Oct | 100% | 9% | 1.8 m | 23°C | vest |
| Nov | 100% | 8% | 1.7 m | 24°C | vest |
| Dec | 100% | 8% | 1.6 m | 26°C | boardies |
Why 72.9
Seven parts, each normalised 0 to 1 and weighted; the sum is scaled so the best spot in the world is 100.
Consistency 26%
26.0
Clean days 24%
11.5
Groundswell 12%
6.3
Season spread 10%
10.0
Wave size 8%
4.7
Water comfort 10%
8.4
Access 10%
4.2
The detail
Faces 140° with 53% open water around it. Friendly morning wind 61% of days. Mean peak period 10.1 s. Days over 3 m: 3%. Mellow days (0.4 to 1.2 m): 6%. Months that work: 12 of 12. Coordinates -28.805, 32.099 (OpenStreetMap).
Spots nearby
Cape Vidal🇿🇦 South Africa · score 59.9Ballito - Surfers Point🇿🇦 South Africa · score 69.8Tongaat - Westbrook🇿🇦 South Africa · score 70.2Umdloti Tidal Pool🇿🇦 South Africa · score 72.3
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