Surf Forecasts:
Big Bay surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 12s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s period, WSW swell with 2,888 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 12s 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 (Aug 24) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 13s. 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 3.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) at 5PM. 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 Tuesday (Aug 25) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Sun 30th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Big Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty, and I’m looking at the next couple of weeks for Big Bay. The main story here is a solid run of surf kicking off right away, with a real standout day that will have you grinning, but also a late-period monster swell that only the brave (or crazy) will even think about.
The water's sitting at 56°F, which is a good 4°F colder than what you'd expect for this time of year. You’re going to want a thick steamer, no question.
We’ve got consistent swell from the WSW rolling in from Monday the 24th. It’s not huge to start, but the wave energy is already pumping at 833 (moderate). The wind is a steady cross-off from the SSE, so it’s going to be clean from the get-go. The real gem, though, is Wednesday morning, the 26th. The swell sits around 5ft from WSW, and the wind goes glassy offshore from the ESE at just 9 mph. The energy is up at 1006, and the conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. This is the pick of the first week—clean, punchy, and that offshore breeze will have the waves standing up nicely.
The surf stays rideable through the end of August and into the first few days of September, but the conditions get a bit lumpy with some cross-onshore winds. We see a bump in size around Sunday the 30th with 10ft swell, but it’s windy as hell at 25 mph, so that's less of a surf session and more of a washing machine experience.
Now, look ahead to the second week. Things get proper heavy. Monday the 7th of September is a promising pick with a clean 6ft from the WSW and a fresh offshore wind. But honestly, the big story is that Wednesday the 2nd brings a massive, dangerous swell that is way too big for this spot. We're talking 18ft with a near-gale onshore wind. That is purely a full-on tow-in or a long walk to go and watch from the cliffs. Don't even think about paddling. That swell drops a bit into Thursday the 3rd, but 16ft from the SSW with a huge energy reading of 14,112 is still only for absolute experts on big-wave gear. It’s a lot of water moving around.
So, to sum it up: your best bet is Wednesday the 26th of August for clean, fun-size waves. The rest is either a bit bumpy, too small, or turns into a beast that will swallow you whole. Keep your wits about you.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Fri afternoon, min 14°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | SW 14 | SW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | WSW 16 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 15 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 763 | 376 | 1187 | 1949 | 1710 | 1134 | 711 | 525 | 353 | 394 | 387 | 363 | 280 | 439 | 317 | 440 | 833 | 1708 | 2676 | 2888 | 2739 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-on | on | off | off | off | cross | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:36PM1.19m | 1:40AM1.24m | 2:08PM1.31m | 2:13AM1.33m | 2:36PM1.42m | 2:44AM1.41m | 3:04PM1.52m | 3:14AM1.47m | 3:32PM1.59m | 3:44AM1.50m | 4:01PM1.63m | 4:16AM1.50m | 4:31PM1.63m | 4:48AM1.47m | |||||||
Low Tide | 7:45PM0.45m | 7:59AM0.30m | 8:17PM0.34m | 8:27AM0.21m | 8:46PM0.24m | 8:54AM0.14m | 9:15PM0.16m | 9:21AM0.09m | 9:44PM0.10m | 9:49AM0.07m | 10:14PM0.07m | 10:18AM0.07m | 10:45PM0.07m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | |  |  | | | |  | | |  | | | | |
 | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — |
 | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:23 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:25 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 17 | 12 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 24 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 23 | 31 | 26 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 11 | 14 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 22 | 19 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 19 | 28 | 22 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 9 | 8 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | SW 14 | SW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | S 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | S 11 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 15 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 |
| kJ | 763 | 376 | 1187 | 1949 | 1710 | 1134 | 711 | 525 | 338 | 394 | 387 | 363 | 231 | 439 | 317 | 440 | 833 | 1708 | 2676 | 2888 | 2739 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SW 10 | WSW 11 | — | SSW 15 | S 6 | S 8 | S 11 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 16 | S 10 | S 10 | WSW 16 | S 11 | SSE 10 | S 10 | SE 10 | — |
| kJ | 70 | 270 | 249 | — | 146 | 104 | 182 | 332 | 353 | 246 | 229 | 138 | 280 | 174 | 96 | 155 | 58 | 20 | 9 | 4 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 15 | — | — | — | SSW 13 | SSW 11 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 18 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 11 | — | WSW 10 | S 10 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 174 | — | — | — | 198 | 113 | 217 | 121 | 13 | 26 | 126 | 121 | — | 32 | 30 | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 5 | S 5 | S 10 | S 6 | S 6 | SSE 6 | — | — | — | N 3 | NW 3 | — | SSE 3 | S 4 | N 3 | NNW 3 | WNW 4 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 27 | 43 | 469 | 130 | 214 | 164 | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | 3 | 9 | 4 | 8 | 7 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 34 | 0 | 14 | 400 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 29 | 29 | 0 | 56 | 419 | 39 |
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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