Big Bay surf break

Big Bay surfForecast / Cape Town / South Africa

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 1 pm Friday 07 Nov 2025 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
12.5° C
(Which is 4.6°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 Friday (Nov 07) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Big Bay in the next 12 days are 2.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Nov 11) 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 1.3m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Nov 11) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Fri 7th Nov)3.5ft (1.1m) 7s
Best Surf 2AM (Tue 11th Nov)3.5ft (1.1m) 18s
Most Powerful 5PM (Tue 11th Nov)8ft (2.5m) 15s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Fri afternoon, min 19°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Thu morning, min 16°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, fresh winds from the S by Wed afternoon).

Fri
07
Saturday
08
Sunday
09
Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
1
3
2
2
3
1
1
2
1
0
4
3
2
3
3
2
3
2
1
3
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.2
SSE
1.4
SSE
0.8
SW
1.1
SW
1.3
SW
1.3
SW
1.3
SW
1.4
SW
1.5
SW
1.3
SW
1.1
WSW
1.7
WSW
2.5
WSW
2.1
WSW
1.9
WSW
1.8
WSW
1.6
WSW
1.6
SW
1.7
WSW
1.1
SW
1
SSW
Period(s) (?)7716141413131413121816151413131211111110
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)13120229953664861859180273246579914112691170412061044734675657292204
Wind
(km/h)
20
S
10
ESE
10
SSW
20
S
10
ESE
15
SW
15
WSW
10
NW
15
WNW
15
WSW
5
SW
15
S
25
S
15
SSE
20
S
35
S
10
SSE
20
S
30
S
15
SSE
25
S
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
offcrosscross-
off
offcross-
on
cross-
on
ononcross-
on
glasscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
4:14PM
1.63
4:45AM
1.50
5:01PM
1.50
5:34AM
1.40
5:52PM
1.35
6:31AM
1.30
6:54PM
1.19
7:42AM
1.21
8:15PM
1.07
9:09AM
1.17
9:53PM
1.03
10:33AM
1.20
11:16PM
1.07
11:35AM
1.26
Low Tide
/ height (m)
10:33PM
0.01
10:51AM
0.16
11:19PM
0.13
11:43AM
0.28
12:10AM
0.27
12:46PM
0.40
1:12AM
0.40
2:09PM
0.50
2:33AM
0.49
3:50PM
0.52
4:04AM
0.52
5:14PM
0.46
5:18AM
0.49
Fri
07
Saturday
08
Sunday
09
Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Sunrise--5:39--5:39--5:37--5:37--5:37--5:35--5:35
Sunset7:19--7:20--7:21--7:21--7:22--7:22--7:23--
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
---------------------
Temp. °C312529292627262322221823231822211924252021
Feels °C (?)282327262426242321211922201519161720211617
  • 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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