Surf Forecasts:
Big Bay surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 2 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 18s period, SW swell with 8,437 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period with WSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Big Bay this week:
The surf forecast for Big Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.8m and 11s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Big Bay in the next 16 days are 3.5m 18s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Big Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's scope out what's going down at Big Bay.
We've got a bit of a mixed bag over the next couple of weeks, but there are a couple of sessions that are gonna make it all worthwhile. The water’s sitting at about 57°, which is a good 4° cooler than normal for this time of year, so you'll want the thick rubber.
The first real window kicks off on Friday the 28th of August. We’re looking at a nice 3 ft swell from the WSW with a solid 16-second period, and it’s dead glassy. That's a proper long-period groundswell offering some serious shape and energy (644). It’s not huge, but with zero wind, it’ll be silky clean. This is the standout of the whole outlook, a true gem to start the run.
Saturday the 29th holds in there, with the swell bumping up to 5 ft from the WSW, but a SE cross-offshore keeps things clean. The energy climbs (769), but the quality starts to slip a touch. By Sunday, the wind picks up to 25 km/h from the SSE, making it choppier, though the swell jumps to 8 ft from the SW.
Monday the 31st of August is the other real highlight. It’s a solid 7 ft SW swell with a 12-second period and light S winds making for clean conditions. The ocean will have moderate energy (1102). That’s excellent surf for the experienced crowd. It might be pushing the limits for beginners though.
Things get a bit wild from Tuesday the 1st of September with the swell rising but cross-onshore winds start to mess with the surface. By Wednesday the 2nd, it's a beast – we’re talking 15 ft of SW groundswell with a 16-second period and massive energy (9840). The wind is offshore, but that's just too much size for this break unless you're an absolute charger.
After that, the wind goes nuts from Thursday the 3rd through the weekend with strong to near-gale southeasterlies. There's still some size, but the quality tanks. It looks more like a kite-surfing setup than a paddle session for those days.
The second week drops off significantly. From Tuesday the 8th of September onward, we're looking at smaller waves, mostly under 3 ft, with messy onshore winds. There’s a tiny window on Wednesday the 11th with a small, clean 2 ft SW swell (226), but honestly, it’s marginal. Expect a long gap of poor conditions after the first week’s action.
So the plan is simple: Don't miss Friday morning the 28th of August, and lock in Monday the 31st of August. The rest is a gamble unless you’re keen on a battle with the wind or some massive, heavy water.
Stay frothing.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri morning, min 11°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 16 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | S 11 | S 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 280 | 519 | 454 | 724 | 756 | 936 | 2010 | 1742 | 1488 | 961 | 821 | 990 | 2000 | 2031 | 2651 | 7127 | 5582 | 3975 | 1486 | 1148 | 1528 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross | glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:32PM1.59m | 3:44AM1.50m | 4:01PM1.63m | 4:16AM1.50m | 4:31PM1.63m | 4:48AM1.47m | 5:03PM1.59m | 5:23AM1.41m | 5:38PM1.52m | 6:02AM1.31m | 6:19PM1.41m | 6:49AM1.20m | 7:11PM1.27m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:21AM0.09m | 9:44PM0.10m | 9:49AM0.07m | 10:14PM0.07m | 10:18AM0.07m | 10:45PM0.07m | 10:48AM0.11m | 11:18PM0.11m | 11:22AM0.18m | 11:55PM0.19m | 11:59AM0.28m | 00:39AM0.29m | 12:46PM0.40m | 1:38AM0.41m | |||||||
 |  |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — |
 | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:29 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 17 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 7 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | SW 9 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 |
| kJ | 231 | 519 | 454 | 724 | 756 | 505 | 2010 | 1742 | 1488 | 961 | 821 | 990 | 2000 | 2031 | 2651 | 7127 | 5582 | 3975 | 1486 | 949 | 405 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SW 10 | WSW 13 | SSE 11 | — | — | — | — | WSW 11 | — | — | SW 19 | — | — | — | — | SSW 11 | SSW 15 |
| kJ | 133 | 171 | 96 | 78 | 275 | 936 | 11 | — | — | — | — | 167 | — | — | 723 | — | — | — | — | 259 | 121 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 16 | SSE 13 | WSW 18 | SSW 4 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 11 |
| kJ | 280 | 57 | 62 | 4 | 39 | 21 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 43 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SSW 3 | — | SSW 5 | — | — | SSE 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 6 | S 7 | S 11 | S 9 |
| kJ | — | — | 4 | — | 40 | — | — | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 263 | 453 | 1148 | 1528 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 280 | 39 | 70 | 340 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 29 | 70 | 166 | 400 | 130 | 190 | 1085 | 1181 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Town | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Big Bay Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Big Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Big Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Big Bay 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 (Big Bay) 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 Big Bay 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.
Big Bay is 8 km (5 miles) from the very large city of Robben Island. If you plan a holiday in Cape Town, look for hotels and other accommodation in Robben Island. Robben Island has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as cheap car hire and transport links.
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