World › South Africa › KwaZulu-Natal › Umhlanga Rocks
Umhlanga Rocks 72.6
#2381 of 5753 surf spots in the world · 🇿🇦 South Africa · KwaZulu-Natal · near Durban
Works almost every day, wind is the enemy here, no off season.
Works all yearIntermediate
Surf score72.6 /100
Surfable days100% of the year
Clean days13% groundswell + friendly wind
Groundswell27% period 11 s+
Typical size1.6 m 5.2 ft median
Water24°C a rash vest or 2 mm
Best time to surf Umhlanga Rocks
The best time to surf Umhlanga Rocks is May, June, July. It rarely works. In June the water sits around 23°C, so pack a rash vest or 2 mm, and the typical wave is 1.5 m. The nearest airport is DUR (30 km) and the nearest town is Durban (17 km).
| Month | Surfable | Clean | Size | Water | Suit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 100% | 6% | 1.6 m | 25°C | boardies |
| Feb | 100% | 14% | 1.5 m | 26°C | boardies |
| Mar | 100% | 15% | 1.5 m | 26°C | boardies |
| Apr | 100% | 17% | 1.6 m | 25°C | boardies |
| May | 100% | 29% | 1.5 m | 24°C | vest |
| Jun | 100% | 30% | 1.5 m | 23°C | vest |
| Jul | 100% | 25% | 1.6 m | 22°C | vest |
| Aug | 99% | 19% | 1.7 m | 21°C | 2mm |
| Sep | 100% | 4% | 1.7 m | 22°C | 2mm |
| Oct | 100% | 4% | 1.8 m | 22°C | vest |
| Nov | 100% | 3% | 1.6 m | 23°C | vest |
| Dec | 100% | 8% | 1.6 m | 24°C | vest |
Why 72.6
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%
7.4
Groundswell 12%
5.2
Season spread 10%
10.0
Wave size 8%
4.6
Water comfort 10%
7.7
Access 10%
9.8
The detail
Faces 115° with 44% open water around it. Friendly morning wind 48% of days. Mean peak period 9.8 s. Days over 3 m: 2%. Mellow days (0.4 to 1.2 m): 8%. Months that work: 12 of 12. Coordinates -29.727, 31.089 (OpenStreetMap).
Spots nearby
Bronze Beach🇿🇦 South Africa · score 72.6Geteway Wavehouse🇿🇦 South Africa · score 72.3Umdloti Tidal Pool🇿🇦 South Africa · score 72.3Snake park🇿🇦 South Africa · score 76.3
Compare Umhlanga Rocks with 5,700 other spots
Filters by month, level and water, map, side by side comparison and a trip planner.
Open the interactive profileMore spots good in JuneFilters by month, level and water, map, side by side comparison and a trip planner.