
Surf Forecasts:
Big Bay surf forecast from 3 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 6 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 12s period, WSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 8 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 15s period, SW swell with 2,697 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 5 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 9s period with WSW 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 Sunday (Jul 05) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Big Bay in the next 16 days are 2.4m 15s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 08) 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 1.5m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 08) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5PM (Sun 5th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Mon 6th Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Wed 8th Jul) | 8ft (2.4m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Big Bay over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
G’day, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid run of surf coming up at Big Bay, but you’ve got to pick your windows. Things start slow this Saturday and Sunday morning—small, junky waves with cross-shore chop making it a wait-and-see situation. Then Sunday afternoon it shifts: glassy conditions, 4-foot swell from the WSW with a 9-second period. That’s the first real chance for a clean little session.
Monday, July 6th, is where it starts to get exciting. Morning brings 8 feet of WSW groundswell, 11-second period, and glassy conditions. The combined wave energy is strong at 1360, so this is proper swell. It’s a big step up—best for experienced surfers. Tuesday morning, July 7th, is the standout of the first week: 7 feet from the SW, 12-second period, glassy. Energy sits at 1402. That’s excellent, clean surf for those who know what they’re doing. The wind stays light and offshore through the middle of the week, with Wednesday and Thursday mornings holding 7–8 feet SW swell and clean conditions.
By Friday July 10th and Saturday July 11th, the swell drops a bit to 6 feet from the SSW, but the wind goes offshore with 12-13 second periods. Clean, lined-up waves. Energy is still moderate to strong. Sunday July 12th is a down day—small, 3 feet, glassy but weak. Then Monday July 13th is tiny, just 2 feet.
There’s a gap after that. Tuesday and Wednesday, July 14th and 15th, get messy with onshore wind and choppy conditions. Not worth paddling out.
Now, looking ahead to the second week—the real heavyweight arrives Thursday July 16th. We’re talking 15 feet of SW groundswell with a 14-second period. The combined energy is a massive 6793 to 7393. Wind is offshore or glassy. But here’s the catch: this is way too big for Big Bay—it’s an expert-only bomb if you’re mad enough. The reports say it’s too big for this break. Friday July 17th stays huge at 13 feet and 12 feet, with period up to 15 seconds. Same issue—monstrous swell, cross-shore winds, and the energy is extreme (7394). Saturday July 18th drops back to 8 feet SSW swell, clean and cross-offshore, with excellent conditions for experienced surfers. That’s your best bet in the second week if the big stuff is too wild. Sunday July 19th fades to 4 feet from the south.
Water temp is about average for this time of year, no major anomaly. Big Bay is an exposed SW-facing spot, so it catches the best of this swell. Crowds are often around—expect company on the good days, especially Monday and Tuesday mornings.
Overall, the best on offer is Tuesday morning July 7th: 7 feet SW groundswell at 12 seconds, glassy, clean, and excellent. For the second week, Saturday July 18th is the pick: 8 feet SSW, clean and cross-offshore.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 4 | Sunday 5 | Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Fri 10 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 9 | SW 15 | WSW 9 | SW 13 | WSW 9 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
259 | 162 | 232 | 315 | 215 | 232 | 1158 | 1355 | 854 | 1281 | 1150 | 1369 | 2002 | 2221 | 1544 | 1889 | 1572 | 1326 | 987 | 822 | 986 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross | off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:37AM1.30m | 6:06PM1.39m | 6:15AM1.25m | 6:44PM1.37m | 6:59AM1.20m | 7:27PM1.34m | 7:53AM1.14m | 8:20PM1.31m | 9:01AM1.10m | 9:26PM1.29m | 10:21AM1.10m | 10:42PM1.29m | 11:40AM1.15m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:39PM0.33m | 11:44AM0.24m | 00:16AM0.35m | 12:19PM0.29m | 00:58AM0.37m | 12:59PM0.35m | 1:48AM0.38m | 1:49PM0.41m | 2:50AM0.40m | 2:52PM0.47m | 4:03AM0.39m | 4:12PM0.49m | 5:22AM0.34m | 5:37PM0.45m | |||||||
— | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | |
5:49 | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 17 |
Feels °C | 11 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | SW 9 | W 8 | WSW 9 | W 8 | WSW 9 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 |
173 | 162 | 190 | 315 | 161 | 232 | 1158 | 1355 | 854 | 1281 | 1150 | 1369 | 2002 | 2221 | 1544 | 1889 | 1572 | 1326 | 987 | 822 | 986 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | WNW 8 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 18 | SE 12 | SW 13 | W 11 | W 11 | SW 22 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 16 | — | S 8 | — | S 8 | S 8 | W 13 |
259 | 107 | 232 | 301 | 215 | 196 | 31 | 5 | 553 | 300 | 231 | 73 | 188 | 781 | 931 | — | 260 | — | 206 | 134 | 84 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 10 | S 8 | WSW 10 | SW 19 | SE 12 | — | — | — | SW 23 | SW 21 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 16 | W 14 | — |
111 | 129 | 63 | 6 | 94 | 14 | 6 | — | — | — | 21 | 72 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 20 | 37 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 5 | S 8 | SSE 7 | S 8 | SSE 7 | — | SSE 8 |
— | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 71 | 298 | 349 | 280 | 327 | — | 138 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 2 | 34 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 14 | 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.











