Big Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.79° S 18.46° E

Big Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 07 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Big Bay sea temperature is
14.1° C
1.5° 

Big Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Big Bay surf forecast from 7 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 10 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 8 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, SW swell with 3,311 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 8 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 13s period with SW 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 Wednesday (Jul 08) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.4m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 20s. 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 2.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 08) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 6s period and expected on Friday (Jul 10) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Wed 8th Jul)8ft (2.4m) 13s
Best Surf 2AM (Fri 10th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 13s
Most Powerful 8PM (Wed 8th Jul)8ft (2.5m) 16s

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


Alright, this is Rusty. Let's talk about what's coming up at Big Bay.

We've got a solid run of surf on the horizon, but you’ve gotta pick your moments. The early part of the week is where it’s at for the more experienced crew, and then we’ve got a couple of interesting longer-range pulses that are worth keeping an eye on.

Wednesday morning the 8th kicks it off with a glassy 7ft SW groundswell, period a long 13 seconds. The water temperature is about average for this time of year. That combined energy is in the strong range (2316), and those conditions are absolute quality for experienced surfers. By the afternoon, the wind shifts to a cross-off 15 km/h, so it stays clean if a little more challenging on the tide.

Thursday the 9th sees a bump up in size, with 8ft SSW swell in the morning and a solid 14-second period. Strong energy (2734), but the 20 km/h cross-off wind from the SSE keeps it a bit more raw. Still clean, but it’s a handful.

Friday the 10th though, that’s the standout of this first window. Morning brings a true offshore wind from the SE at 15 km/h, groomin’ a 8ft SSW swell with a 13-second period. That’s clean, powerful surf (2460 energy) for those who can handle it. The afternoon stays clean with a cross-off.

Saturday the 11th is still excellent, with a morning offshore from the ESE at 10 km/h on a dropping 7ft SSW swell. Energy is still strong (1595). It’s clean and lined up. Sunday the 12th still has clean 5ft surf in the morning with a light offshore, but the energy drops to moderate (675).

We hit a flat spell from Monday the 13th through to the morning of Wednesday the 15th. The swell drops right out below 3ft, not worth paddling out for.

Now, we get a significant pulse kicking in on Thursday the 16th. Conditions are marginal in the morning with a light cross-onshore wind and a building 7ft SW swell, but the afternoon? That’s a special one. The wind swings to a cross-off at 15 km/h, and the swell jumps to a solid 12ft from the SW with a 13-second period. The energy is extremely strong (4382). This is for experts only, as anything over 8ft is serious. That afternoon session looks big and clean.

Friday the 17th holds big 10ft SSW swell, but the wind is up – 25 to 30 km/h cross-off to offshore. It’s gonna be howling, but it’s offshore, so for the brave and well-prepared, there’ll be some heavy, clean walls.

After that, we get a drop-off into the weekend with smaller, but cleaner surf. Saturday the 18th has a moderate offshore wind and a dropping 5ft S swell – much more manageable.

Looking way out to the second week, the 19th of July looks very promising. Sunday morning serves up a 5ft SSW swell with a very long 17-second period. Despite the long period breaking a bit straight at beach breaks, with the light cross-off wind it could be amazing. But the real gem is Sunday afternoon: glassy conditions, 6ft SSW swell with a 16-second period, and energy in the strong range (2307). That’s about as good as it gets, but it’s a long way out, so keep it on the radar.

Then there’s a massive pulse forecast for the 22nd and 23rd. Wednesday the 22nd starts with a 7ft WSW swell at a crazy 19-second period, energy is very strong (5342), but the wind is a light cross-onshore. By Wednesday afternoon, it’s a huge 13ft WSW swell at 17 seconds with an energy reading of 8965 – that’s extreme. It’s still a light cross-onshore wind, so conditions are marginal, but that is a monster groundswell. Thursday the 23rd cleans up with a cross-off wind and a still-massive 10ft WSW swell. These are far out and uncertain, but if they hit, it’s all-time potential for experts.

Stay safe, read the conditions, and don’t be a hero if it’s too big.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
8
Thursday
9
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tue
14
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
3
4
3
3
5
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
1
2
2
1
2
2
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.4
SW
13
2.2
SW
13
2
SW
13
2.5
SW
15
2.5
SSW
14
2.4
SW
13
3
SSW
13
2.5
SSW
13
2.5
SSW
13
2.1
SSW
12
2.1
SSW
12
1.9
SSW
12
1.7
SSW
11
1.5
SSW
11
1.3
SSW
10
1.1
SSW
10
1
SSW
10
0.9
SSW
9
0.7
W
11
0.8
W
10
0.8
W
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1942
1535
1325
3093
2734
1972
2713
2423
2206
1258
1268
983
691
485
339
255
205
156
115
120
108
Wind (km/h)
0
S
0
S
15
S
25
SSE
20
SSE
20
S
15
SE
15
SE
15
SSE
10
SE
10
ESE
10
S
10
ESE
5
ESE
10
SW
5
ESE
10
SE
10
SSW
5
SE
5
ESE
10
WSW
Wind State
glassy
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross
off
off
cross
off
glassy
cross-on
High Tide
8:20PM1.31m
9:01AM1.10m
9:26PM1.29m
10:21AM1.10m
10:42PM1.29m
11:40AM1.15m
11:57PM1.34m
12:49PM1.25m
1:03AM1.41m
1:48PM1.36m
2:02AM1.49m
2:40PM1.47m
2:54AM1.55m
3:27PM1.56m
Low Tide
2:50AM0.40m
2:52PM0.47m
4:03AM0.39m
4:12PM0.49m
5:22AM0.34m
5:37PM0.45m
6:34AM0.26m
6:51PM0.37m
7:34AM0.17m
7:53PM0.26m
8:26AM0.08m
8:48PM0.17m
9:14AM0.02m
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:50
7:50
7:50
7:50
7:50
7:48
7:48
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:50
5:51
5:51
5:52
5:52
5:52
5:53
5:53
 mm
Temp °C
16
15
17
14
13
14
13
12
15
14
14
17
16
16
18
17
15
18
16
15
17
Feels °C
17
15
16
11
9
10
10
8
12
11
12
15
14
14
16
16
14
16
14
15
16
  • 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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