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Tugela River Mouth kitesurf and wingfoil spot
South Africa · KwaZulu-Natal
Overview
Tugela River Mouth is a kite spot at the mouth of the Tugela River, KwaZulu-Natal's largest river. This wild, isolated spot offers committed conditions with a mix of river and ocean water. Warm waters (22-26°C). The river mouth creates shifting sandbars and changing currents. Reserved for advanced riders due to isolation and currents.
Spot forecast for Tugela River Mouth
Sunrise 05:11 · Sunset 18:06
Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo
Tides
Heights above lowest astronomical tide, in the spot's local time. Computed 2.7 km from the spot.
- Tuesday 20 October Low tide · 0.9 m High tide · 1.4 m Low tide · 0.9 m
- Wednesday 21 October High tide · 1.3 m Low tide · 0.8 m High tide · 1.6 m Low tide · 0.8 m
- Thursday 22 October High tide · 1.5 m Low tide · 0.6 m High tide · 1.7 m Low tide · 0.6 m
- Friday 23 October High tide · 1.7 m Low tide · 0.5 m High tide · 1.9 m Low tide · 0.4 m
- Saturday 24 October High tide · 1.8 m Low tide · 0.4 m High tide · 2 m Low tide · 0.3 m
Tugela River Mouth: when to go?
Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)
214h
in December · 22 rideable days
The season runs from October to March, peaking in December: 19 rideable days a month and 214 hours of usable wind, at 27 °C. The low point is April, at 11.5 days.
Rideable days per month
Wind strength when it is rideable
When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 71% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is June, at 23 °C. The wettest month is February, with 114 mm.
Monthly averages: Tugela River Mouth
| Month | Rideable days | Usable wind | Temperature | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21.0 | 206 h | 28 °C | 99 mm |
| February | 17.0 | 171 h | 28 °C | 114 mm |
| March | 21.0 | 209 h | 28 °C | 91 mm |
| April | 11.5 | 95 h | 25 °C | 107 mm |
| May | 14.5 | 92 h | 25 °C | 13 mm |
| June | 11.5 | 79 h | 23 °C | 20 mm |
| July | 12.0 | 75 h | 23 °C | 20 mm |
| August | 19.5 | 146 h | 24 °C | 21 mm |
| September | 15.0 | 120 h | 23 °C | 110 mm |
| October | 17.0 | 154 h | 24 °C | 79 mm |
| November | 17.5 | 173 h | 26 °C | 69 mm |
| December | 22.0 | 214 h | 28 °C | 101 mm |
Photo gallery of Tugela River Mouth
Ridden here? One photo or video, and the spot comes alive for everyone discovering it.
Technical details of Tugela River Mouth spot
The spot works with winds from NNE, NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE.
Spot functioning
The spot works in NE to SE winds. The river mouth creates shifting sandbars. Conditions vary greatly with river flow and tide. Strong currents at the mouth. Extended but unmarked sailing area.
Spot opening date · Required level
- Spot opening date
- Open all year round
- Required level
- Advanced
On the water
Warm water (22-26°C), mix of fresh and salt water. Sandy bottom with shifting sandbars. No waves in the river zone, swell at sea. Strong, variable currents at the mouth. Murky water.
Parking
Difficult access via dirt road from the N2. Informal parking. Very isolated area with no infrastructure. 4x4 vehicle recommended. Bring water and provisions.
Wind specificities
The dominant wind is the NE (summer trade wind), blowing side-onshore. The wide river mouth can channel wind. Variable wind conditions depending on river state. Year-round, best October to April.
Hazards
Very strong, variable currents at the mouth. Shifting sandbars. Bull sharks present in the river mouth. Crocodiles possible. Hippos upstream. Very isolated spot with no rescue. Buddy system mandatory.
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Live
Currently, there is no weather station at this spot. If you want to change this, help us fund one: Weather Station Project
All the details of your session on windtracker.app
Webcams near Tugela River Mouth
Webcams provided by Windy.com
Nearby spots
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