Big Bay surf break

Big Bay surfForecast / Cape Town / South Africa

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 1 pm Monday 02 Mar 2026 SAST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Big Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Big Bay sea temperature is
18.1° C
(Which is 1.4°C colder than average for this time of year)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Big Bay this week:

The surf forecast for Big Bay over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Mar 02) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 19s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Big Bay in the next 12 days are 3.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Mar 07) 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 1.6m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Mar 07) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Mon 2nd Mar)8ft (2.5m) 13s
Best Surf11PM (Mon 2nd Mar)8ft (2.5m) 13s
Most Powerful 5PM (Sat 7th Mar)11ft (3.5m) 11s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Big Bay over the next 12 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Warm (max 21°C on Wed morning, min 15°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Some drizzle, heaviest during Thu afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Thu afternoon, min 14°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, strong winds from the SSE by Sat afternoon).

Mon
02
Tuesday
03
Wednesday
04
Thursday
05
Friday
06
Saturday
07
Sunday
08
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
3
0
3
2
0
3
0
1
3
1
0
0
2
1
4
4
3
4
3
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
3
SW
2.5
SW
1.9
SSW
1.5
SSW
1.7
SW
1.7
SW
2
SW
2.2
SW
2
SW
1.7
SW
1.5
SW
1.6
SW
1.3
SW
1.2
SSW
3
SSW
3.5
SSW
3
SSW
2.5
SSW
2.3
SSW
1.6
SSW
1.4
SSW
Period(s) (?)131212121110101212111111111011111113131212
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)298219209566046525538041439109473952460640628322462749192920841766759579
Wind
(km/h)
20
SW
5
SE
10
SSW
20
SW
10
SE
5
SW
20
WSW
5
N
20
NW
15
WNW
0
ENE
15
WNW
15
W
25
SSW
30
SSE
45
SSE
20
SE
15
SE
15
S
15
ESE
10
SE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crossoffcrosscross-
on
cross-
off
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
onglassononcrosscross-
off
cross-
off
offcross-
off
cross-
off
offoff
High Tide
/ height (m)
2:59PM
1.51
3:18AM
1.63
3:33PM
1.54
3:49AM
1.67
4:05PM
1.53
4:19AM
1.65
4:35PM
1.49
4:48AM
1.60
5:04PM
1.43
5:16AM
1.51
5:33PM
1.34
5:43AM
1.40
6:01PM
1.24
6:12AM
1.27
Low Tide
/ height (m)
9:08PM
0.05
9:33AM
0.04
9:40PM
0.03
10:05AM
0.02
10:09PM
0.05
10:35AM
0.05
10:38PM
0.10
11:03AM
0.10
11:05PM
0.17
11:30AM
0.19
11:32PM
0.27
11:57AM
0.29
11:58PM
0.38
12:25PM
0.41
Mon
02
Tuesday
03
Wednesday
04
Thursday
05
Friday
06
Saturday
07
Sunday
08
Sunrise--6:35--6:35--6:35--6:37--6:37--6:39--6:39
Sunset7:21--7:20--7:19--7:17--7:15--7:15--7:14--
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
--------41-----------
Temp. °C181718191821211920201820201918191620272427
Feels °C (?)13131615162119201718191918181111717232125
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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 12 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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