Surf Forecasts:
Big Bay surf forecast from 28 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 28 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 15s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 15s period, SW swell with 2,278 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 28 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 15s 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 Tuesday (Jul 28) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 1.6m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Big Bay in the next 16 days are 2.3m 15s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Tue 28th Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Tue 28th Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Tue 28th Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Big Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s talk Big Bay in feet and miles per hour.
The water’s running a bit colder than usual for this time of year, about 57°F, so a wetsuit is a must.
The first real window opens Tuesday morning, July 28th. Big Bay is seeing a 8ft SW groundswell with a 14-second period, and the wind is offshore from the ESE at 12 mph. The wave energy is strong (2542), and it’s clean. This is for the experienced crew – that’s a solid size. Crowds are “often” here, so expect to share it.
Wednesday morning, the 29th, it drops to 6ft from the SW, but the wind is still offshore from the east at 6 mph. Clean again, and the energy is still solid (1133). Good for intermediate surfers.
Thursday morning, the 30th, sees 5ft SW swell, a light offshore breeze, and moderate energy (805). Clean and fun.
Friday morning, the 31st, is a smaller 4ft SW swell with offshore ESE wind. The energy is low (436), but it’s clean. A good day for a longboard.
Saturday, the 1st of August, has a 4ft SW swell with a longer 14-second period, and light cross-offshore wind. The energy is moderate (596). Clean lines.
The standout of the whole forecast is Monday morning, the 3rd of August. It’s glassy – dead calm – with a 8ft WSW groundswell at 14 seconds. The energy is very strong (2121). That’s an intermediate-to-expert size with perfect, glassy conditions. Circle that one.
The following week gets bigger and more mixed. Wednesday the 5th of August has an 8ft SW swell with a very long 15-second period, but the wind is a messy cross-shore at 19 mph. The energy is strong (2913), but the wind chops it up.
The big stuff hits Thursday the 6th of August: 10ft to 12ft SW swell, strong energy (3257 to 4055), but the wind is onshore or cross-onshore, making it a mess. That’s a kite-surfing day.
Friday the 7th, the morning turns it on. A 10ft SW swell with offshore wind from the east at 9 mph. The energy is very strong (3020), and it’s clean. Experts only.
The weekend of the 8th and 9th is blown out by strong winds with 10ft to 12ft swell.
The second week has a couple of gems. Tuesday the 11th of August morning is glassy again with a 5ft SW swell, but the period is a very long 15 seconds. The energy is strong (2307). That long period will give nice, lined-up waves at a point, but might close out a beach break.
The absolute best of the second week is Tuesday the 11th of August afternoon. An 12ft SW swell with a 17-second period – the biggest and longest of the run. The energy is massive (7045). The wind is light cross-shore, so it’s clean. Big, powerful, expert-only.
Wednesday the 12th of August morning keeps that 12ft SW swell with a 15-second period, and the wind is cross-offshore from the SSE at 9 mph. The energy is huge (5364). Clean and powerful.
Best morning: Monday the 3rd of August – glassy and 8ft. Best afternoon session: Tuesday the 11th of August – 12ft with a 17-second period and clean. Don’t miss those.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 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) | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 16 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 2247 | 2004 | 1367 | 1067 | 1083 | 976 | 796 | 669 | 537 | 416 | 361 | 250 | 581 | 486 | 623 | 494 | 531 | 808 | 2121 | 1826 | 1167 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | off | off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 5:13AM1.39m | 5:34PM1.52m | 5:48AM1.34m | 6:08PM1.47m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 11:16AM0.16m | 11:47PM0.21m | 11:48AM0.21m | 00:24AM0.25m | |||||||
 | |  | | |  |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 7:41 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — |
 | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 20 | 15 | 18 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 15 |
Feels °C | 10 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 21 | 18 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 2247 | 2004 | 1367 | 1067 | 1083 | 976 | 796 | 669 | 537 | 416 | 361 | 250 | 581 | 486 | 623 | 494 | 531 | 502 | 2121 | 1826 | 1167 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | SE 6 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | W 19 | WSW 18 | WSW 16 | SE 10 | SE 10 | — | — | WSW 20 | WSW 16 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 207 | 58 | 66 | 18 | 7 | 9 | 6 | 15 | 7 | 60 | 215 | 15 | 4 | — | — | 38 | 808 | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 18 | WSW 18 | SSE 5 | — | — | — | — | S 9 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | 60 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 4 | NW 4 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 295 | 330 | 126 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | 7 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 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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