Surf Forecasts:
Big Bay surf forecast from 26 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 28 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 15s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 27 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, SSW swell with 6,191 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 27 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 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 Monday (Jul 27) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 1.5m and 12s. 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 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 27) 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 0.8m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 30) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Mon 27th Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Tue 28th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Mon 27th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Big Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into it. The next 16 days have a bit of a story to tell. We’re starting with some solid, experienced-level surf, then we get a window of smaller, cleaner stuff, before a long-range swell lights up the end of the run. There’s a rough patch in between, but the waiting is worth it.
The first solid action kicks off on Monday, July 27th. Big Bay is getting a serious SW groundswell, 8ft and a very long 16-second period. The combined energy is pumping at 3458 (moderate-strong), but the wind is a fresh SSE breeze, keeping it cross-off. It’s clean, but with that size and power, this is for the experienced crew only. Tuesday, July 28th, is where it gets interesting. The swell drops a touch to 8ft, but the period is still a solid 14 seconds, and the wind swings offshore from the SE, a gentle to moderate breeze. The energy is still strong at 2534. That’s going to be clean, powerful, and a proper standout for the week. Conditions stay excellent again on Wednesday morning, July 29th, with a 6ft SW swell and a light ENE cross-off breeze. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no wetsuit surprises.
We then ease into a smaller, more user-friendly run. Thursday, July 30th, sees the swell drop to 5ft, and then Friday, July 31st, it's down to 4ft. The wind stays light, so the surf is clean, but it’s losing energy. Saturday, August 1st, is a real gem. The morning has a 5ft SW swell, but the afternoon delivers a glassy calm with 0 wind. For a few hours, that’s as good as it gets for a clean, playful wave. Then Sunday, August 2nd, the wind turns nasty from the north, ruining the 7ft+ SW swell with a choppy cross-onshore. That kicks off a rough stretch with poor conditions through Monday and Tuesday, August 3rd and 4th. Light wind and rain make for lumpy, marginal surf. Wednesday, August 5th, is a bit of a tease.
Now, here’s the real standout. If you can wait, the period from Thursday, August 6th, to Saturday, August 8th, is where the magic happens. Thursday morning, August 6th, the swell jumps to 12ft from the WSW, with a 14-second period and a light SSE cross-off breeze. The combined energy is a massive 4594 (strong). That’s big, powerful, and clean. But the true peak is Friday, August 7th. The swell is a solid 13ft from the SW, 15-second period, and the wind is a light SE breeze. The energy is through the roof at 6389 (very strong). This is an exceptional, expert-level session. Saturday, August 8th, is still excellent, with 12ft swell and glassy conditions in the morning and a light SE breeze in the afternoon. This is a long-range call, so it’s promising but not locked in yet. The quality drops off again on Sunday, August 9th, as the wind shifts onshore. The very end of the run on Monday, August 10th, and Tuesday, August 11th, offers some smaller, cleaner waves for the crew who just want to get wet.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSE on Mon afternoon, calm by Wed afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 20 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 734 | 3458 | 3515 | 3144 | 2247 | 2004 | 1367 | 1053 | 976 | 961 | 796 | 721 | 591 | 416 | 287 | 361 | 862 | 581 | 1463 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:56AM1.25m | 2:29PM1.27m | 2:33AM1.32m | 3:02PM1.36m | 3:06AM1.38m | 3:33PM1.43m | 3:38AM1.41m | 4:03PM1.49m | 4:09AM1.43m | 4:33PM1.52m | 4:41AM1.42m | 5:03PM1.53m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:20AM0.30m | 8:36PM0.38m | 8:52AM0.23m | 9:09PM0.31m | 9:22AM0.17m | 9:40PM0.25m | 9:50AM0.13m | 10:11PM0.22m | 10:18AM0.12m | 10:42PM0.20m | 10:47AM0.13m | 11:13PM0.20m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — |
 | 6:01 | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 18 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 25 | 22 |
Feels °C | 13 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 22 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 20 |
| kJ | 734 | 3458 | 3515 | 3144 | 2247 | 2004 | 1367 | 1053 | 976 | 961 | 796 | 721 | 591 | 416 | 287 | 361 | 862 | 581 | 1463 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | — | — | — | — | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | — | — | — | S 6 | SSE 7 | SW 15 | WSW 16 | SE 10 | SW 26 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 635 | — | — | — | — | 178 | 62 | 21 | 5 | — | — | — | 18 | 10 | 171 | 166 | 4 | 26 | 501 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 19 | WSW 18 | SSE 5 | — | SE 10 | S 10 |
| kJ | 195 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 14 | 61 | 5 | — | 4 | 53 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 5 | NNW 4 |
| kJ | — | — | 997 | 427 | 287 | 294 | — | — | — | — | — | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | 69 | 16 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 165 | 166 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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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