
Surf Forecasts:
Bay of Plenty surf forecast from 23 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 28 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, S swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 30 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 11s period, SSE swell with 4,391 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 23 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 13s period with SSW 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 Thursday (Jul 23) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 12s. Another secondary swell of 0.8m and 7s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Bay of Plenty in the next 16 days are 4.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 30) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Tue 28th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Thu 30th Jul) | 15ft (4.5m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bay of Plenty over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, let's have a look at what we've got for the Bay of Plenty. It's a bit of a mixed bag, to be honest. The first few days are a bit of a write-off, with some messy conditions and onshore winds. We've got a long wait ahead before we see anything decent.
We start off Thursday the 23rd and Friday the 24th of July with some pretty ordinary conditions. The swell is there, but the wind is howling from the south and southwest, making it all cross-shore and lumpy. The water temp is sitting at 73°F, which is about 2°F warmer than usual for this time of year, so that’s a bit of a treat if you’re in a wetsuit.
Come Saturday the 25th, we’ve got a bit of a reprieve. The swell drops to 6ft from the SSE, and the wind goes light. On Saturday morning, it’s a bit onshore, but by the afternoon it turns clean offshore from the ESE. The energy is moderate (729). It's a marginal call, but for a beginner-friendly beach/jetty break, it could be a fun little session if you’re not too fussy.
Sunday the 26th and Monday the 27th are a bit of a letdown again, with the wind swinging around and the swell dropping right off.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. The end of July and start of August brings some serious size. On Wednesday the 29th of July, we’re looking at a solid 12ft swell from the SSE, with a moderate energy reading (2807). The wind is light from the south, but the problem is, this is just too big for this break. Same goes for Thursday the 30th, with a massive 15ft swell (7776 energy) and onshore winds. This is expert-only territory, and even then, it’s pushing it.
The standout in the whole 16-day window has to be Monday the 3rd of August. The swell drops to a clean 5ft from the ESE (490 energy), and the wind is forecast to be glassy in the morning. Absolutely clean conditions. The water temp will still be mild, and the crowd profile here is "sometimes" busy, so you might have a few other keen locals out, but it’ll be worth it. The swell direction is perfect for the optimum SE direction for this spot.
The rest of the first week of August fades out with onshore winds and dropping swell, so that Monday morning is the one to circle. It’s a promising call, but it is a week and a half away, so keep an eye on it.
In short, there’s a lot of waiting, but that Monday the 3rd is the real gem. The big stuff on the 29th and 30th of July is just too hefty for the lineup.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 21°C on Thu morning, min 15°C on Sat morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Fri morning, calm by Sat night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 21°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | SE 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 5 | S 9 | S 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | SSW 14 | E 9 | E 9 | S 8 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
167 | 304 | 133 | 1587 | 1325 | 516 | 485 | 551 | 387 | 255 | 164 | 224 | 155 | 61 | 99 | 103 | 191 | 1609 | 2270 | 2339 | 3194 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 10:13AM1.23m | 11:07PM1.35m | 12:17PM1.23m | 00:47AM1.38m | 1:42PM1.33m | 1:52AM1.47m | 2:30PM1.47m | 2:37AM1.57m | 3:06PM1.60m | 3:13AM1.67m | 3:38PM1.73m | 3:44AM1.75m | 4:07PM1.83m | 4:14AM1.81m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:18PM0.88m | 6:01AM0.86m | 6:17PM0.89m | 7:26AM0.78m | 7:39PM0.81m | 8:16AM0.66m | 8:30PM0.69m | 8:53AM0.54m | 9:09PM0.58m | 9:25AM0.43m | 9:42PM0.47m | 9:54AM0.34m | 10:13PM0.39m | ||||||||
6:46 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | |
— | 5:17 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | |
mm | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 3 | 3 | 19 |
Temp °C | 21 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 |
Feels °C | 18 | 19 | 20 | 10 | 10 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 7 | SSW 14 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ENE 6 | E 7 | ENE 6 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 9 | SSW 15 | S 18 | SE 10 |
77 | 304 | 106 | 77 | 59 | 516 | 485 | 551 | 387 | 255 | 164 | 100 | 127 | 44 | 99 | 99 | 68 | 56 | 537 | 98 | 2564 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | SE 12 | NE 6 | ENE 8 | SSW 19 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SE 8 | S 15 | ESE 8 | S 12 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | — | SSW 18 | S 16 |
167 | 164 | 10 | 6 | 125 | 269 | 169 | 172 | 118 | 187 | 137 | 66 | 110 | 47 | 75 | 103 | 149 | 86 | — | 180 | 236 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | ENE 7 | E 9 | S 22 | E 10 | SE 11 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | S 18 | S 16 | — | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | — | — | — | — |
71 | 40 | 6 | 9 | 2 | 29 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 56 | 139 | — | 61 | 51 | 25 | 12 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 4 | SSW 6 | SSW 5 | S 9 | S 10 | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | ENE 4 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | — | SSW 5 | S 6 | S 8 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 |
17 | 52 | 133 | 1587 | 1325 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 37 | 224 | 155 | — | 31 | 47 | 191 | 1609 | 2270 | 2339 | 3194 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 153 | 48 | 353 | 405 | 405 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 701 | 219 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 286 | 779 | 48 | 2 | 2611 | 31 |
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.










