Big Bay surf break

Big Bay surfForecast / Cape Town / South Africa

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 7 am Friday 01 May 2026 SAST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Big Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Big Bay sea temperature is
15.3° C
(Which is 2.1°C colder than average for this time of year)

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 Tuesday (May 05) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.8m and 11s. 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 5.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (May 06) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 6s period and expected on Saturday (May 02) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Tue 5th May)7ft (2.1m) 11s
Best Surf11AM (Wed 6th May)15ft (4.5m) 12s
Most Powerful 8AM (Wed 6th May)16ft (5.0m) 13s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Big Bay over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 20°C on Sun morning, min 14°C on Fri morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the N on Sat morning, light winds from the NNE by Sat night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 32mm), heaviest during Mon morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
1
Saturday
2
Sunday
3
Monday
4
Tuesday
5
Wednesday
6
Thursday
7
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
0
1
3
2
1
2
0
1
1
2
3
4
!
4
3
1
3
3
Swell
Height Map
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.4
SW
13
2.5
SW
12
3
SW
12
2.5
WSW
11
2.5
W
11
1.9
WSW
10
1.5
WSW
15
2.2
WSW
14
2.2
WSW
13
2.3
WSW
13
2.2
WSW
13
2.1
WSW
12
2.1
SSW
12
2.3
SSW
12
1.7
W
12
4.5
SSW
12
3
SSW
10
2.2
S
10
1.8
S
9
1.6
S
9
1.5
S
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1817
1860
2195
1738
1509
800
936
1860
1585
1723
1574
1205
1323
1320
814
4918
1524
942
541
422
415
Wind (km/h)
30
N
30
NNW
30
N
30
N
20
NW
10
N
15
NNW
15
NW
20
N
20
NW
15
WNW
15
N
20
N
10
SW
5
SW
20
NNE
10
S
5
SSW
10
N
5
ESE
10
ESE
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
on
on
cross-on
cross
cross
glassy
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
glassy
off
High Tide
3:12PM1.42m
3:17AM1.49m
3:42PM1.41m
3:47AM1.45m
4:12PM1.38m
4:18AM1.40m
4:44PM1.33m
4:50AM1.32m
5:18PM1.26m
5:24AM1.24m
5:57PM1.19m
6:02AM1.15m
6:45PM1.12m
Low Tide
9:07AM0.11m
9:14PM0.22m
9:35AM0.12m
9:44PM0.24m
10:03AM0.16m
10:14PM0.28m
10:33AM0.22m
10:45PM0.34m
11:04AM0.29m
11:18PM0.41m
11:38AM0.36m
11:56PM0.50m
12:18PM0.44m
00:46AM0.57m
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
mod rain
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:20
7:20
7:20
7:22
7:22
7:24
7:24
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:06
6:05
6:04
6:02
6:01
6:00
6:00
1
4
11
1
6
1
10
1
2
Temp °C
16
17
15
16
18
18
20
19
18
16
17
15
16
17
16
13
14
16
17
18
17
10
10
9
10
13
17
18
17
18
13
13
13
12
14
15
9
12
15
15
17
16
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.4
SW
13
2.5
SW
12
3
SW
12
2.5
WSW
11
2.5
W
11
1.9
WSW
10
1.6
WSW
10
2.2
WSW
14
2.2
WSW
13
2.3
WSW
13
2.2
WSW
13
2.1
WSW
12
2.1
SSW
12
2.3
SSW
12
1.7
S
11
0.9
WSW
12
3
SSW
10
2.2
S
10
1.8
S
9
1.6
S
9
0.9
WSW
13
Energy kJ
1817
1860
2195
1738
1509
800
473
1860
1585
1723
1574
1205
1323
1320
688
193
1524
942
541
422
261
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
SE
11
0.1
SE
10
0.1
W
21
0.7
S
11
0.9
SSW
11
0.8
S
10
1.5
WSW
15
0.5
S
10
0.5
SSW
13
0.7
SSW
12
0.7
SSW
12
0.7
SSW
11
1.9
WSW
12
1.9
WSW
11
0.6
WSW
16
0.8
WSW
15
0.8
WSW
14
0.7
SW
13
0.6
WSW
12
0.8
WSW
14
0.6
WSW
18
Energy kJ
4
4
9
127
202
138
936
49
101
157
150
126
1012
858
173
272
236
172
94
236
211
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
W
21
0.2
WSW
20
0.4
WSW
18
0.8
WSW
16
0.6
S
10
0.3
SSW
15
0.4
S
10
0.1
SW
20
0.2
WSW
18
0.4
SW
18
0.5
WSW
11
0.2
WSW
16
0.4
WSW
15
0.3
WSW
20
0.2
S
18
Energy kJ
9
37
127
302
75
42
31
16
32
80
66
27
85
75
24
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
NNW
4
1
NNW
4
1.1
N
4
1.4
NNW
6
1.4
NNW
6
0.9
NNW
4
1.7
W
12
4.5
SSW
12
1.5
S
10
Energy kJ
21
37
45
119
150
28
814
4918
415
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
3
4
3
4
4
4
2
3
3
2
4
4
4
7
4
3
3
3
3
Distance (km)
274
192
163
274
34
2
4
34
36
29
29
36
75
20
0
13
0
0
2
0
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Town
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
4
4
2
3
3
2
4
4
9
4
3
3
4
4
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa
Rating
(10 max)
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
4
4
4
5
9
5
4
5
4
5
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
7
5
9
5
4
4
5
4
4
5
5
5
5
4
5
5
5
6
9
8
6
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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