Big Bay Surf Break

Big Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Lat Long: 33.79° S 18.46° E

Issued: 1 pm 17 Jun 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Big Bay sea temperature is
14.1° C

2.0°C colder than average for this time of year

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 17 Jun 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 24 Jun, 8AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 17s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 24 Jun, 8AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 17s period, SW swell with 8,122 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 17 Jun, 8PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 14s 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 (Jun 17) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 18s. Another secondary swell of 1.6m and 6s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Big Bay in the next 16 days are 3.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jun 24) at 8AM. 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 Thursday (Jun 18) at 8AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Wed 17th Jun)6ft (1.8m) 14s
Best Surf 8AM (Wed 24th Jun)11ft (3.5m) 17s
Most Powerful 8AM (Wed 24th Jun)11ft (3.5m) 17s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Mon afternoon. Warm (max 26°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Wed
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
3
2
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
4
3
3
3
4
1
0
1
4
8
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)
1.8
SW
13
1.7
SW
16
2.3
SW
14
2.1
SW
14
1.9
SW
13
1.6
SW
12
1.1
SW
12
1.6
SW
12
1.4
SW
12
1.3
SW
12
0.9
SW
15
1.8
SW
14
1.9
SW
14
2
WSW
13
1.9
WSW
13
1.8
WSW
13
1.3
SW
12
1.7
SW
12
1.6
SW
12
2.1
SW
16
4
SW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1083
1456
2247
1729
1210
798
379
736
528
469
360
1167
1449
1370
1170
1049
496
794
644
2146
7479
Wind (km/h)
15
SSE
15
SSE
20
SSE
25
SSE
15
SE
15
ESE
10
SE
10
E
10
E
5
SSW
10
ENE
5
ENE
5
SW
5
NNW
10
N
0
NNW
10
N
20
N
15
NW
10
N
5
SE
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
off
glassy
cross-off
glassy
cross
cross-on
cross
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
glassy
High Tide
5:12PM1.53m
5:29AM1.44m
6:01PM1.50m
6:20AM1.34m
6:53PM1.44m
7:15AM1.23m
7:47PM1.37m
8:14AM1.13m
8:44PM1.30m
9:21AM1.07m
9:45PM1.24m
10:33AM1.05m
10:48PM1.21m
11:40AM1.07m
Low Tide
11:24PM0.17m
11:42AM0.12m
00:18AM0.23m
12:30PM0.22m
1:14AM0.31m
1:20PM0.32m
2:15AM0.38m
2:15PM0.42m
3:20AM0.43m
3:18PM0.50m
4:28AM0.45m
4:28PM0.54m
5:32AM0.44m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
rain showers
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:48
7:50
7:50
7:50
7:50
7:50
7:50
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:44
5:44
5:44
5:44
5:45
5:45
5:45
5:45
 mm
1
Temp °C
18
15
15
17
16
16
21
19
22
26
24
23
24
22
21
22
18
15
17
16
15
Feels °C
16
13
12
12
13
14
20
17
19
24
21
22
23
21
20
21
17
12
14
14
15
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.8
SW
13
1.7
SW
12
2.3
SW
14
2.1
SW
14
1.9
SW
13
1.6
SW
12
1.1
SW
12
1.6
SW
12
1.4
SW
12
1.3
SW
12
1.2
SW
11
1.8
SW
14
1.9
SW
14
2
WSW
13
1.9
WSW
13
1.8
WSW
13
1.3
SW
12
1.7
SW
12
1.6
SW
12
2.1
SW
16
4
SW
16
Energy kJ
1083
874
2247
1729
1210
798
379
736
528
469
344
1167
1449
1370
1170
1049
496
794
644
2146
7479
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SW
20
1.7
SW
16
0.1
SW
20
1
S
7
1
WSW
12
0.3
SW
18
0.4
SW
16
0.5
SW
15
0.9
SW
15
1.3
WSW
12
0.1
W
24
0.4
WSW
21
1.7
WSW
19
Energy kJ
97
1456
15
97
269
49
91
116
360
422
11
180
2002
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
SW
11
0.5
SW
16
0.8
S
7
0.3
SW
18
0.3
SW
16
Energy kJ
19
129
68
49
41
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
S
6
1.4
SSE
6
1.3
S
6
1.4
S
5
1.3
S
7
0.4
WNW
3
0.4
WNW
4
Energy kJ
91
140
106
114
150
5
4
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
3
2
3
5
8
Distance (km)
0
0
0
280
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
14
4
2
0
2
36
34
2
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Town
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
2
3
5
9
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
5
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
4
5
9
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
4
5
9
6
6
6
4
7
5
9
4
9
9
8
6
6
5
5
5
5
9
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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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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