Big Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.79° S 18.46° E

Big Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 19 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Big Bay sea temperature is
14.6° C
0.8° 

Big Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Big Bay surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 23 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 17s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 8,913 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 11s 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 Sunday (Jul 19) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 10s. 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 4.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 25) at 2PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Sun 19th Jul)7.5ft (2.3m) 11s
Best Surf 8PM (Thu 23rd Jul)13ft (4.0m) 17s
Most Powerful11PM (Thu 23rd Jul)13ft (4.0m) 16s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Big Bay over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the line for Big Bay.

We’re looking at a solid run of swell, but the first few days are a bit of a write-off, honestly. Sunday the 19th and Monday the 20th are a no-go – the winds are messy and cross-onshore, the surf is poor to marginal. You’re better off staying home and waxing your boards. The combined energy is weak to moderate for those days, topping out at 1064 (moderate). Skip it.

The action really starts to pick up on Tuesday the 21st. Tuesday morning is the first real standout. You’ve got a clean 5ft SW swell rolling in with a 14-second period, and the wind goes glassy. That’s 1715 (moderate-strong) combined energy and the water is sitting at 58°, which is about average for this time of year. This is the kind of morning you tell your mates about.

Then things get interesting. The real fireworks are Thursday the 23rd afternoon through Saturday the 25th. Thursday afternoon goes glassy again with a 8ft SW swell and a 16-second period – that’s 3520 (strong) combined energy. Friday the 24th is the pick of the bunch: solid 10ft to 12ft SW groundswell, 14-second period, and clean cross-offshore winds. The combined energy hits 4362 (strong). This is proper, heavy, powerful surf. It’s for experienced surfers only – beginners, stay well clear. Saturday the 25th holds onto that quality with 8ft to 8ft SW swell and clean cross-off winds.

After that, the swell backs off a touch but stays rideable. Sunday the 26th morning is still clean with a 5ft WSW swell, and the following week has some good offshore windows. Tuesday the 28th and Wednesday the 29th have clean offshore winds with 7ft to 5ft SW swell – perfect for a mid-week session.

The end of the window fades out. By the 2nd of August, the swell drops to under 3ft, and the combined energy is weak (294 to 366). Not much to get excited about, but maybe a longboard will float your boat.

The absolute best on offer is Friday the 24th at Big Bay. That’s your standout. Big SW groundswell, clean cross-off winds, plenty of energy. It’s an exposed spot, so expect it to be handling that size well. Crowds are often, so get there early.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 11°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
3
4
2
1
3
4
3
4
3
2
2
3
5
9
5
5
4
5
4
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
SW
12
2.1
SW
11
2.3
SW
10
1.7
SW
9
1.4
SW
8
0.8
SSW
16
2.1
SW
14
2.5
SW
14
2.4
SW
13
2.1
SW
12
2
SW
12
1.9
SW
12
2.1
SW
11
2.5
SW
16
4
SW
16
3.5
SW
14
3
SW
14
3
SW
13
2.5
SW
13
2.3
SW
13
1.9
WSW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
625
945
1069
481
279
322
1664
2205
1828
1341
1207
977
1103
3021
8075
4362
3278
2975
2474
1751
1073
Wind (km/h)
15
N
10
WSW
5
NNE
5
NNW
10
W
5
ENE
5
SE
10
SSW
0
ESE
10
WNW
15
WNW
20
NNE
5
N
5
WSW
5
SE
5
SE
15
SSE
10
SE
10
SSE
15
SSE
10
E
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
glassy
cross
glassy
on
on
cross
cross-on
glassy
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
High Tide
7:01PM1.42m
7:23AM1.17m
7:45PM1.31m
8:15AM1.07m
8:37PM1.19m
9:22AM1.00m
9:43PM1.11m
10:48AM0.98m
11:05PM1.08m
12:11PM1.02m
00:19AM1.11m
1:10PM1.09m
1:14AM1.17m
Low Tide
12:39PM0.27m
1:24AM0.33m
1:21PM0.39m
2:14AM0.43m
2:09PM0.51m
3:14AM0.51m
3:14PM0.60m
4:34AM0.55m
4:48PM0.64m
5:57AM0.53m
6:16PM0.61m
6:58AM0.46m
7:16PM0.54m
cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:47
7:46
7:46
7:45
7:45
7:43
7:43
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:57
5:58
5:59
5:59
6:00
6:00
6:00
 mm
1
Temp °C
14
14
14
14
15
14
13
15
13
13
14
14
13
15
14
14
16
14
15
18
17
Feels °C
12
12
13
13
13
14
12
13
11
12
11
11
12
14
14
13
14
12
13
15
15
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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 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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