Surf Forecasts:
Bay of Plenty surf forecast from 28 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 29 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, S swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 29 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, S swell with 1,487 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 29 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period with S swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Bay of Plenty this week:
The surf forecast for Bay of Plenty over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 2.5m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 10s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Bay of Plenty in the next 16 days are 3.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 30) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Wed 29th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Wed 29th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Wed 29th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bay of Plenty over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here with the Bay of Plenty report.
First up, the water is a warm 23°, a degree above normal for this time of year – feels good. The early part of the outlook is a mess. There’s a 2.5m southerly swell, but it’s all chopped up by a fresh cross-shore wind. Not worth the paddle.
The big winner is Saturday, August 1st. We’re looking at a glassy morning with a clean 1.8m swell from the ESE and a 10-second period. The combined energy is 835 – that’s a solid, fun punch. Expect clear, clean waves. You might see a crowd, so get out there early.
After that, the surf drops off. There’s a long stretch of nothing much until Monday, August 10th. That morning the swell comes back up to 2.1m from the NE with an 8-second period and a light cross-shore breeze. The energy is 1046 – a solid moderate level. It’s not the classic clean day, but it’s the best option in a pretty dry run.
Then, on Wednesday, August 12th, things get serious. The swell is forecast to be a massive 3.5m to 4.0m, with a very long period of 13 seconds. The energy hits 3181 to 5130. That is a heavy, powerful groundswell. For a beginner break, that’s too big for anyone but experts. The long period will make it dump hard at a beach break. This is more of a kite-surfing setup than a paddle-surfing one.
Your one standout is Saturday the 1st. Get it while it’s good.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 59mm), heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun afternoon, min 15°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | ||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 347 | 1487 | 1083 | 684 | 388 | 683 | 790 | 900 | 1083 | 711 | 445 | 587 | 688 | 701 | 761 | 952 | 889 | 671 | 640 | 481 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:38PM1.73m | 3:44AM1.75m | 4:07PM1.83m | 4:14AM1.81m | 4:36PM1.91m | 4:43AM1.85m | 5:04PM1.95m | 5:11AM1.85m | 5:33PM1.96m | 5:40AM1.84m | 6:02PM1.94m | 6:10AM1.79m | 6:34PM1.88m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:42PM0.47m | 9:54AM0.34m | 10:13PM0.39m | 10:23AM0.27m | 10:43PM0.34m | 10:50AM0.23m | 11:12PM0.31m | 11:18AM0.21m | 11:41PM0.32m | 11:47AM0.23m | 00:11AM0.36m | 12:17PM0.28m | 00:44AM0.43m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  |  | | | | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — |
 | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — |
mm | 4 | 21 | 7 | 5 | 16 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 18 |
Feels °C | 11 | 11 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 |
| kJ | 146 | 1070 | 873 | 684 | 388 | 61 | 61 | 749 | 904 | 711 | 445 | 587 | 688 | 701 | 761 | 952 | 889 | 671 | 640 | 481 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SW 14 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 |
| kJ | 44 | 67 | 90 | 115 | 108 | 174 | 152 | 113 | 74 | 51 | 328 | 227 | 7 | 12 | 22 | 21 | 18 | 19 | 53 | 74 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 5 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 15 | — | — | — | S 18 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 15 | — | — | S 14 | S 14 | S 12 | S 18 | S 10 | SSE 14 |
| kJ | 1 | 126 | 120 | 116 | 121 | — | — | — | 54 | 33 | 17 | 21 | — | — | 4 | 15 | 12 | 25 | 8 | 18 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | S 9 | SSE 9 | — | WSW 3 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 3 | NNE 4 | N 4 | — | NNE 4 |
| kJ | 347 | 1487 | 1083 | — | 2 | 683 | 790 | 900 | 1083 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 10 | 9 | — | 11 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 907 | 1 | 1 | 139 | 1 | 330 | 405 | 1 | 887 | 48 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Durban/KwaZulu-Natal South Coast | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Bay of Plenty Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Bay of Plenty provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Bay of Plenty can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Bay of Plenty surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Bay of Plenty) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Bay of Plenty may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Are you planning a holiday in Durban/KwaZulu-Natal South Coast? If you are looking for accommodation near Bay of Plenty, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Durban/KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, consider staying in Durban which is 6 km (4 miles) away. Other places in and around Durban/KwaZulu-Natal South Coast where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Glenwood which is 6 km (4 miles) away, Kwamashu, Umhlanga and Mount Edgecombe.
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