TidePlanet

Today in Port Shepstone there are high tides at 4:37 am (2.7 ft) and 4:54 pm (3.0 ft) and low tides at 10:39 am and 11:05 pm. Tide coefficient 104. Right now the tide is falling toward the low tide at 11:05 pm. The sun rises at 5:06 am and sets at 6:18 pm: 13 h 12 min of daylight. The moon is 93% illuminated (waning gibbous) and rises at 9:16 pm. Major solunar periods run from 12:15 am to 2:15 am and from 12:46 pm to 2:46 pm. The next spring tides arrive from October 26 to 28. The sea is moderate, with 5.1 ft waves. There's a light breeze from the north (4 mph). Mainly clear, 68 °F.

Fishing

Fishing in Port Shepstone today

Fishing forecast, 7 days →

Best time to fish

Solunar activity today: high
6
Average day · 6 out of 10 4:40–5:40 am Also 3:50–5:50 pm and 12:50–2:50 pm
  • High tide at 4:37 am, coefficient 104
  • Sunrise at 5:06 am
  • Rising pressure (+0.17 inHg in 24 h), almost no wind and 5.9 ft waves
  • Waning gibbous: a bit more activity than at the quarters
  • Highest tide coefficient today: 104 (big spring tides)

Your day at a glance

The best window, 4:40 am to 5:40 am, combines the 4:37 am high tide and sunrise, though with rising pressure. Also good from 3:50 pm to 5:50 pm, with the 4:54 pm high tide, sunset and a light onshore breeze. Also good from 12:50 pm to 2:50 pm, with a major period and a light onshore breeze.

Species with the most records nearby: greater amberjack, skipjack tuna, almaco jack and red scorpionfish. What you can catch

How it works · Next 7 days · Fishing rules

Beach

Beach day in Port Shepstone

Beach forecast, 7 days →

Is it a beach day?

5
Fair beach day · 5 out of 10 1:00–3:00 pm
  • Mostly sunny
  • Feels like 72 °F: mild
  • Onshore breeze (11 mph)
  • UV 8 (high): SPF 50 sunscreen
  • Water at 75 °F (nice)
  • Swim with care: 5.1 ft waves every 8 s; moderate rip current risk

Today, hour by hour

  • Swimming Use care · 5.1 ft

    5.1 ft waves every 8 s: swim with care and stay where you can stand. Moderate rip current risk. Always follow the lifeguard's flags.

  • Water 75 °F

    Nice for swimming.

  • Sun & sunscreen UV 9 · SPF 50

    Max UV 9 (very high): SPF 50 sunscreen, reapplied every 2 hours. Seek shade 11:00 am–1:00 pm (very high UV).

  • Wind 11 mph

    Onshore breeze (11 mph).

  • Tide & sand 11:05 pm

    Low tide at 10:39 am and 11:05 pm: that's when there's the most sand. High tide at 4:37 am and 4:54 pm. Coefficient 104 (spring tides): little sand left at high tide.

The best window, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, brings sunshine, little wind and water at 75 °F, though with some waves.

We don't have data on jellyfish, sargassum or beach closures: ask the lifeguard or check with the local beach authority. How it works · The next 7 days

Beaches near Port Shepstone

We don't know of any named beaches within 6.2 mi of Port Shepstone.

Missing one? Beaches come from OpenStreetMap: you can add it there. Add or fix on OpenStreetMap

Beaches and amenities: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

Tides

Tides in Port Shepstone

Tides for 7 days →

Today's high and low tides

  • ▲ High tide 4:37 am 2.7 ft · coef. 104
  • ▼ Low tide 10:39 am -2.8 ft
  • ▲ High tide 4:54 pm 3.0 ft · coef. 99

↓ Falling The tide is falling. 11 min to low tide at 11:05 pm.

Tide coefficient 104 for the 4:37 am high tide and 99 for the 4:54 pm high tide. Big spring tides. The water rises and falls 5.8 ft between the highest high and the lowest low: a large range for this place. 70 is an average tide here; 90 and above means spring tides; below 45, neap tides. What is the tide coefficient?

2026 extremes: the highest tide of the year is on March 20 (3.5 ft) and the lowest, on March 20 (-3.3 ft).

Semidiurnal: two high and two low tides a day, of similar height.

Heights above mean sea level. Astronomical prediction: wind and air pressure can raise or lower the water by a few inches, and more in a storm. Not for navigation. mean sea level

Tide coefficient and range in October

The biggest tides of the month came from October 26 to 27 (coefficient 108, 6.4 ft range). The smallest, on October 19 (coefficient 20, 1.0 ft).

Tide and solunar table · this week

Day Sun Tide 1Tide 2Tide 3Tide 4 Coef. Moon Major periods Activity
Today, Wed 28 5:06 am · 6:18 pm High tide 4:37 am · 2.7 ft Low tide 10:39 am · -2.8 ft High tide 4:54 pm · 3.0 ft Low tide 11:05 pm · -2.8 ft Coef. 104 93% Major periods 12:15 am · 12:46 pm High
Thu 29 5:05 am · 6:19 pm High tide 5:15 am · 2.4 ft Low tide 11:17 am · -2.5 ft High tide 5:33 pm · 2.5 ft Low tide 11:44 pm · -2.4 ft Coef. 94 86% Major periods 1:18 am · 1:50 pm Medium
Fri 30 5:04 am · 6:20 pm High tide 5:58 am · 2.0 ft Low tide 12:00 pm · -2.0 ft High tide 6:15 pm · 1.9 ft — Coef. 78 77% Major periods 2:23 am · 2:55 pm Low
Sat 31 5:03 am · 6:21 pm Low tide 12:27 am · -1.9 ft High tide 6:49 am · 1.6 ft Low tide 12:51 pm · -1.4 ft High tide 7:08 pm · 1.3 ft Coef. 60 66% Major periods 3:26 am · 3:56 pm Medium
Sun 1 5:03 am · 6:21 pm Low tide 1:23 am · -1.4 ft High tide 8:04 am · 1.1 ft Low tide 2:09 pm · -0.8 ft High tide 8:32 pm · 0.8 ft Coef. 41 Last quarter Major periods 4:25 am · 4:53 pm Medium
Mon 2 5:02 am · 6:22 pm Low tide 2:52 am · -1.0 ft High tide 10:00 am · 1.0 ft Low tide 4:32 pm · -0.6 ft High tide 10:39 pm · 0.7 ft Coef. 33 44% Major periods 5:19 am · 5:45 pm Medium
Tue 3 5:01 am · 6:23 pm Low tide 4:57 am · -1.0 ft High tide 11:44 am · 1.3 ft Low tide 6:19 pm · -1.0 ft — Coef. 39 33% Major periods 6:09 am · 6:33 pm Medium

▲ high tide · ▼ low tide · heights above mean sea level. Major periods: start time; they last 2 hours. Activity: based on the moon phase and the solunar periods.

Where this tide comes from

M · Global model

Port Shepstone has no tide station nearby: its tide is calculated with the global FES2022 model, from the nearest model cells offshore (the first one 1.9 mi away). It may differ from the real tide by a few minutes and inches, and more with wind or storms. Heights are above mean sea level, not chart datum, so low tides are negative. Not for navigation.

Model attribution: FES2022 Tide was produced by LEGOS, NOVELTIS and CLS, funded by CNES, and distributed by AVISO (https://doi.org/10.24400/527896/a01-2024.004), AVISO licence (https://www.aviso.altimetry.fr/fileadmin/documents/data/License_Aviso.pdf). Modified by TidePlanet: constants interpolated from the nearest model cells offshore; heights above mean sea level.

How we calculate the tide

Sea and waves

The sea at Port Shepstone

7-day waves

Sea stateSea state: moderate

Moderate Douglas 4 · light breeze, Beaufort 2
Waves 5.1 ft · 8.5 s from the southeast (134°)
Swell 5.1 ft · 7.1 s from the southeast
Current 2.3 mph toward the SSW

The waves you may find

  • Most commonMost common2.5 ft
  • Significant5.1 ft
  • Highest expectedHighest10 ft

One wave in seven is higher than the significant height, and about 3 times a day one reaches 10 ft. Before heading out, expect waves of up to 10 ft.

Wind on the coast and offshore

On the coast 4 mph N · gusts 9

The model doesn't separate offshore wind here: it's the same as on the coast.

Cross-offshore wind. The coast faces southeast and the wind comes off the land at an angle: calmer water near the shore, and bait and boats drift out to sea.

Cross-offshore Hourly wind →

Wave height, next 7 daysWaves, next 7 days

Waves stay much the same all week. The biggest waves arrive on Wednesday 28: 6.8 ft with a period of 8 s, from the southeast (moderate).

Water temperature

Water temperature →
Water now74.3 °F
Today 74.1–75.0 °F air: 64 / 72 °F
Satellite (yesterday) 73.8 °F measured 0.3 mi away

Water temperature changes how fish behave: in very cold or very warm water they feed less. The water cools over the next few days: about 73.0 °F by Tuesday 3.

Water about normal for late October.

Satellite: NASA MUR (JPL MUR MEaSUREs, PO.DAAC), doi:10.5067/GHGMR-4FJ04. Sources and licenses

Water temperature →

Forecast from Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) with models from ECMWF, NOAA, Météo-France, DWD, Copernicus Marine and CAMS. Updated at 10:55 pm (local time).

Surf

Surf in Port Shepstone today

Surf hour by hour and 7 days →

Surf today

Good
6
Good · 6 out of 10 5:00–9:00 am 3.8–5.8 ft Also 6:00–6:43 pm
  • 3.8–5.8 ft surf at the shore, a good size with some punch
  • 5.4 ft swell at 6 s from the southeast, short: weak, messy waves
  • Almost no wind (4 mph): glassy water
  • Falling tide (low tide at 10:39 am)
Surf at the shore 3.8–5.8 ft average – sets
Swell 5.4 ft 6 s · SE · 221 kJ
Wind 4 mph NW · calm
Water and wetsuit 74.1 °F Rash guard or top
  • Light: First light 4:41 am · sunrise 5:06 am · sunset 6:18 pm · last light 6:43 pm
  • Tide: high 4:37 am (2.7 ft), low 10:39 am (-2.8 ft), high 4:54 pm (3.0 ft) and low 11:05 pm (-2.8 ft). Every break has its own tide: some work at low tide and others at high tide. The tide doesn’t change the score here.
  • Water at 74.1 °F–75.0 °F: a rash guard or a neoprene top.
  • Energy: 221 kJ · Medium power

Today’s surf at a glance

The best window, 5:00 am to 9:00 am, has a good size and glassy water, though with a short-period swell. 6:00 pm to 6:43 pm can also work, with a good size, though with a short-period swell.

An estimate for this stretch of coast, not for a specific break: every beach or reef works its own way (its tide, bottom and angle). Check it when you get there.

Follow the flags and the lifeguards, and don’t paddle out if the surf is above your level: this score is a guide, not a substitute for what you see when you get there.

How it’s calculated · Next 7 days

Diving

Diving in Port Shepstone today

Diving and snorkeling, 7 days →

Diving and snorkeling today

Likely visibility: poor
1
Poor day · 1 out of 10 9:50–11:30 am
  • Slack water around low tide (10:39 am): little current from 10:20 am to 11:00 am
  • 5.1 ft swell at 6 s from the southeast: strong surge on the bottom
  • Light onshore wind (5 mph)
  • 2.2 mph current toward the south-southwest, strong (model)
  • Sun high: more light underwater

Not a day for shore diving: swell, wind, current or storms during the best window. If you go, go with a dive shop and only if they give the OK.

Swell 5.1 ft 6 s · from the SE
Likely visibility Poor Snorkeling: poor
Water and suit 74.1 °F 3 mm wetsuit
Current 2.2 mph toward the SSW
  • Slack water today: high tide 4:37 am (4:20–5:00 am), low tide 10:39 am (10:20–11:00 am), high tide 4:54 pm (4:30–5:10 pm) and low tide 11:05 pm (10:50–11:30 pm)
  • Likely visibility: poor. Swell (up to 8.7 ft at 7 s) and rain (1.29 in) over the last few days have stirred up the water. Based on the last 24 hours of data.
  • Water at 74.1–75.0 °F: a 3 mm wetsuit.
  • Snorkeling: better not, with these waves, wind or current.
  • Night dive: dark from 6:43 pm. Waning gibbous (93%), rising at 9:16 pm: a bright night.

Your diving day at a glance

The best window, 9:50 am to 11:30 am, combines slack water at low tide, light wind and the sun high, though with some swell and current.

Slack water comes from the tide: in inlets, channels and between islands the water can keep running for an hour or two after. Ask the local dive shop.

Never dive alone and check with the local dive shop: this rating is a guide, not a substitute for a professional.

How it works · Next 7 days

Dive sites, wrecks and dive shops nearby

Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors

Within 12 mi. Some may be missing or closed; marine reserves usually need a permit. Open the map on OpenStreetMap · Missing one? Add it to OpenStreetMap

Sites: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

Weather

Weather in Port Shepstone

14-day weather

Now in Port Shepstone

Now 68 °F Mainly clear · feels like 71 °F · 64 / 72 °F
Low / high
64 / 72 °F
Rain
0.04 in · 41%
Clouds
45%
Humidity
83%
Dew pointDew point
63 °F
Visibility
15 mi
UV indexUV
0 · low
Air qualityAir
Fair · 39
Saharan dust
No

Pressure and fishing

  • ↗ RisingRising Anglers say fish bite less for a while
  • → SteadySteady · now Anglers expect normal activity
  • ↘ FallingFalling Anglers say fish feed more before the change

Steady now (+0.02 inHg in 3 hours). Over the next 48 hours: −0.11 inHg. Steady pressure: anglers expect normal activity. Fast changes, either way, tend to affect fishing.

Today, hour by hourHour by hour

Bars: mean wind. Dashed line: gusts. Arrows point where the wind blows to.

Time 12:00 am3:00 am6:00 am9:00 am12:00 pm3:00 pm6:00 pm9:00 pm
Sky Light drizzleLight drizzlePartly cloudyPartly cloudyPartly cloudyClear skyClear skyClear
Temperature 69°67°65°70°71°72°71°69°
Wind (mph) 8 SSW4 SSW4 NW2 N7 E11 ENE9 NE7 NNE
Gusts 1412799121511
Waves 6.8 ft6.2 ft5.8 ft5.4 ft5.2 ft5.1 ft5.1 ft5.1 ft
Rain 0.01 in0.00 in0.00 in0.00 in0.00 in0.00 in0.00 in0.00 in
  • 12:00 am 68° 4 N 5.1 ft
  • 3:00 am 66° 5 N 5.1 ft
  • 6:00 am 66° 5 NNW 5.1 ft
  • 9:00 am 70° 9 NE 5.1 ft
  • 12:00 pm 72° 17 ENE 5.1 ft
  • 3:00 pm 72° 19 NE 5.2 ft
  • 6:00 pm 71° 19 NE 5.1 ft
  • 9:00 pm 70° 17 NNE 5.0 ft

Next 14 daysComing days

Day Sky Low / high Max wind Max wave High tides
Today · 28 Light drizzle 64 / 72 °F 11 mph NE 6.8 ft 4:37 am · 4:54 pm
Thu 29 Overcast 65 / 72 °F 19 mph NE 5.2 ft 5:15 am · 5:33 pm
Fri 30 Mainly clear 67 / 74 °F 25 mph NNE 5.6 ft 5:58 am · 6:15 pm
Sat 31 Partly cloudy 69 / 75 °F 26 mph NE 6.0 ft 6:49 am · 7:08 pm
Sun 1 Light rain 70 / 74 °F 23 mph SSW 5.7 ft 8:04 am · 8:32 pm
Mon 2 Light drizzle 71 / 72 °F 16 mph S 4.5 ft 10:00 am · 10:39 pm
Tue 3 Light drizzle 69 / 72 °F 12 mph ENE 4.2 ft 11:44 am
Wed 4 Drizzle 72 / 75 °F 16 mph E 3.5 ft 12:11 am · 12:46 pm
Thu 5 Overcast 70 / 78 °F 20 mph NNE 6.0 ft 1:07 am · 1:30 pm
Fri 6 Light drizzle 72 / 74 °F 22 mph SSW 5.8 ft 1:49 am · 2:07 pm
Sat 7 Overcast 73 / 74 °F 16 mph NE 4.5 ft 2:25 am · 2:39 pm
Sun 8 Overcast 72 / 77 °F 25 mph NE 7.0 ft 2:58 am · 3:09 pm
Mon 9 Overcast 72 / 75 °F 17 mph SW 6.8 ft 3:28 am · 3:38 pm
Tue 10 Drizzle 68 / 76 °F 30 mph SW 9.8 ft 3:57 am · 4:06 pm
  • Thu 29 Overcast 65° / 72° 5.2 ft
  • Fri 30 Mainly clear 67° / 74° 5.6 ft
  • Sat 31 Partly cloudy 69° / 75° 6.0 ft
  • Sun 1 Light rain 70° / 74° 5.7 ft
  • Mon 2 Light drizzle 71° / 72° 4.5 ft
  • Tue 3 Light drizzle 69° / 72° 4.2 ft
  • Wed 4 Drizzle 72° / 75° 3.5 ft
See all 14 days →

Each day comes from the best model covering this spot: regional ones first (HRRR and NBM in the U.S., AROME, ICON-EU), then ECMWF; day 16, NOAA GFS. Waves: Météo-France up to day 10, then ECMWF WAM, coarser and further offshore. High tides: our own tide calculation.

  • The models Partly agree · medium confidence: unsure about wind on Friday 30. See the models →
  • Outlook Next few weeks, compared with normal: a bit warmer, normal rain and a slightly warmer sea. See the outlook →
  • Normal Today, cooler than normal for late October (−3.4 °F; normal high: 75 °F). Climate by month →

Forecast from Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) with models from ECMWF, NOAA, Météo-France, DWD, Copernicus Marine and CAMS. Updated at 10:55 pm (local time).

Sun

The sun in Port Shepstone

Sunrise and sunset →

Sunrise and sunset

Rises 5:06 am in the ESE (106°)ESE
Sets 6:18 pm in the WSW (254°)WSW
  • First light 4:11 am
  • Full dark 7:14 pm
  • Civil dawn 4:41 am
  • Civil dusk 6:43 pm
  • Solar noon 11:42 am (72° high)
  • Daylight 13 h 12 min (+2 min)
  • Evening golden hour 5:45 pm
  • Full dark 7:14 pm

Golden hour and the day-night map

Morning golden hour5:06–5:39 am
Evening golden hour5:45–6:18 pm
Port Shepstone

Today the sun is 92,361,931 mi away and looks 32′ 11″ across.

Moon and solunar

The moon in Port Shepstone

The moon for 7 days →

Moon phase and position

Waning gibbous · 93% 93% illuminated · 17.8 days old New moon on Mon, Nov 9 · 9:03 am
Rises 9:16 pm in the ENE (58°)ENE
Sets 7:18 am tomorrow · in the WNW (303°) · set at 6:21 am
Transit 1:15 am overhead
Visible 10 h 1 min from 9:16 pm to 7:18 am

Today the moon is 226,471 mi away and looks 32′ 46″ across.

Solunar periods

Today's activity: high
  • 12:15–2:15 am Major · the moon passes overhead · high activity
  • 12:46–2:46 pm Major · the moon passes underfoot · high activity
  • 5:51–6:51 am Minor · moonset · medium activity
  • 8:46–9:46 pm Minor · moonrise · medium activity

According to solunar theory, fish feed more when the moon passes overhead or underfoot (major periods, about 2 h) and when it rises or sets (minor periods, 1 h). It works best around new and full moon.

Upcoming moon phases

2026 moon calendar →
  • Last quarter Sun, Nov 1 · 10:29 pmNov 1 in 4 days
  • New moon Mon, Nov 9 · 9:03 amNov 9 in 12 days
  • First quarter Tue, Nov 17 · 1:48 pmNov 17 in 20 days
  • Full moon Tue, Nov 24 · 4:54 pmNov 24 in 27 days

Perigee on October 28, 226,426 mi away, coinciding with the spring tides from October 26 to 28: they will be stronger than usual.

Place

Where to fish in Port Shepstone

All places in KwaZulu-Natal →

Piers, ramps and tackle shops nearby

Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors

Within 9.3 mi. A spot may be missing or closed. Open the map on OpenStreetMap · Missing one? Add it to OpenStreetMap

Spots: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and Overture Maps.

Water depth

Gentle slope

The bottom slopes gently: 16 ft deep 1,100 ft from shore and 33 ft at 0.4 mi.

From the shoreline (0.3 mi from Port Shepstone) out to sea, heading southeast.

How far from shore

  • 16 ft deep1,100 ft
  • 33 ft deep0.4 mi
  • 66 ft deep0.75 mi
  • 164 ft deepnot within 3.1 mi

For fishing, swimming and diving

  • Shore fishing. Shallow, gradual bottom (16 ft at 1,100 ft): cast far from the beach and fish the high tide, when there is more water close in.
  • Swimming. A very gentle way in with plenty of shallow water, good for kids. At low tide the water can be far out.
  • Diving. Shore diving works here: 33 ft at 0.4 mi and 66 ft at 0.75 mi from shore.

Rough estimate: here the data comes in cells of about 0.3 mi and misses details near shore (rocks, sandbars, small coves).

Source: NOAA ETOPO 2022 (CC0), cells of about 0.3 mi; depth below mean sea level. For reference only: not for navigation or anchoring.

Nearest lighthouse

Photo of Port Shepstone Lighthouse
Photo: MaureenvdB · CC BY-SA 4.0

Port Shepstone Lighthouse 0.2 mi east

Light
A white flash every 6 s · Fl W 6s
Range
26 nautical miles (30 mi)
Light height
79 ft above sea level
Tower height
26 ft

Light details: NGA List of Lights (USA); the rest from Wikidata. For reference only: not for navigation. Wikipedia · Wikidata · Sources and licenses

Tides near Port ShepstoneTides nearby

All places in KwaZulu-Natal, A to Z (86) →

Port Shepstone at a glance

  • Town or city of about 52,793 people. Coordinates: 30.741° S, 30.455° E.
  • It is 70 mi southwest of Durban, the main place in KwaZulu-Natal. The sun rises 1 min later and sets 3 min later than in Durban.
  • Its coast faces southeast.

Questions about Port ShepstoneQuestions

What time is high tide today in Port Shepstone?

Today in Port Shepstone there are high tides at 4:37 am (2.7 ft) and 4:54 pm (3.0 ft) and low tides at 10:39 am and 11:05 pm. Tide coefficient 104.

What time is sunset today in Port Shepstone?

At 6:18 pm. There is light until the end of civil twilight, at 6:43 pm.

What time is sunrise tomorrow in Port Shepstone?

At 5:05 am. First light comes at 4:10 am.

What phase is the moon today?

Waning gibbous, 93% illuminated. New moon on Mon, Nov 9 · 9:03 am.

When are the next spring tides?

From October 26 to 28, together with the lunar perigee: they will be stronger than usual.

What are today's solunar periods?

Major 12:15–2:15 am, Minor 5:51–6:51 am, Major 12:46–2:46 pm, Minor 8:46–9:46 pm. Today's activity is high.

What's the weather like today in Port Shepstone?

Light drizzle, from 64 °F to 72 °F, with a light breeze from the north (4 mph) and a 41% chance of rain.

How is the sea today in Port Shepstone?

Moderate (Douglas 4): 5.1 ft waves with a period of 8.5 s from the southeast. The water is 74.3 °F.

When is the best time to visit Port Shepstone?

The best time to visit Port Shepstone is from May to August: highs of 75 °F to 78 °F, about 3 rainy days a month and 7 hours of sunshine a day.

Can I use this data for navigation?

No. These are predictions for fishing and leisure; for navigation, use the official publications.

Where this data comes from

Tide: global FES2022 model (AVISO/CNES), licensed AVISO; constants for this place computed by TidePlanet from the nearest model cells offshore. Sun and moon: our own calculation with astronomy-engine. Places: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Coastline: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

Spotted a mistake? Tell us · How we calculate the tide

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