Big Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.79° S 18.46° E

Big Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 am 10 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Big Bay sea temperature is
14.6° C
1.0° 

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 10 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 15 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 15 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SW swell with 3,054 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 10 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 13s period with SSW 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 Friday (Jul 10) at 2PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 14s. 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 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 11PM. 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 Friday (Jul 10) at 2PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2PM (Fri 10th Jul)8ft (2.5m) 13s
Best Surf11PM (Wed 15th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 14s
Most Powerful11PM (Wed 15th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 14s

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


Alright, Rusty here. Let's get into it.

We've got a solid run of swell for Big Bay stretching out over the next couple of weeks. It's not all perfect, but there are some absolute crackers in there.

The water’s a bit colder than we’re used to for this time of year, sitting at 58°F and running about 2°F below normal. Winter is definitely hanging on.

We kick off this Friday, the 10th, with some solid 8ft SSW groundswell wrapping in. The morning is clean with cross-off SE winds, but the energy is pumping at a strong 2402 (moderate to strong wave energy). This is big stuff, over 8ft, so it's strictly for the experienced crew. The afternoon stays clean, but it's still a big, powerful wave.

Saturday the 11th is a real standout. The morning is crystal clear, with a clean 7ft SSW swell and light, offshore ESE breezes at 10 km/h (6 mph). That’s as good as it gets for conditions. The wave energy is still strong at 1433. It's a proper session for the intermediate to advanced surfer.

Sunday morning the 12th is still a good option. The swell drops to 5ft, but it's still clean with offshore E winds. The energy is moderate at 665. It's a good, fun size.

We hit a bit of a lull early next week. Monday the 13th and Tuesday the 14th are small, with waist-high waves and very weak energy. There are some glassy moments, but it's a quiet period for the Bay.

Things start to build again Wednesday the 15th. The afternoon sees a jump to 6ft SW swell with a long 15-second period. The wind is cross-off S, and the energy jumps back to a strong 1584. It's an excellent wave for experienced surfers.

Thursday the 16th morning is a big one. We’re looking at 8ft SW swell with glassy conditions and an offshore breeze. The energy is very strong at 2275. This is a heavy, powerful wave for experts only.

The weekend of the 18th and 19th is worth a look. Saturday the 18th is clean and smaller, around 4ft, with gentle offshore winds. A nice, easy day. Then Sunday the 19th morning is a prime candidate: glassy conditions, 6ft WSW swell, and a very strong energy reading of 1369. That’s a standout for a relaxed but powerful session.

The following week looks promising. Monday the 20th morning is another heavy hitter, with 8ft SW swell and clean offshore ESE winds. Energy is pumping at 1745. This is a full-on, expert-level session.

The forecast really fires up at the end of the run. On Thursday the 23rd of July, we’ve got the biggest swell of the entire period. The morning shows 12ft SW groundswell with glassy, dead calm conditions. The energy is enormous at 3853. That is a massive, powerful, clean swell – only for the absolute best on a big day.

The next two days, Friday the 24th and Saturday the 25th, are also excellent. Both mornings have clean, 8ft to 8ft SW groundswell with glassy or light offshore winds. The energy stays strong, between 1904 and 2578. It’s a great way to finish the outlook.

The standout sessions are Saturday the 11th morning for the clean, powerful conditions, and Thursday the 23rd morning for the sheer size and power. Don't sleep on Sunday the 19th morning either, for a slightly more manageable but still excellent glassy session.

Keep your wits about you, especially on the big days. This is a serious wave when it's over 8ft.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon afternoon, min 14°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
4
4
4
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
2
2
2
4
5
4
2
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.5
SSW
13
2.5
SSW
13
2.3
SSW
12
2.1
SSW
12
1.7
S
12
1.8
SSW
12
1.5
SSW
11
1.3
SSW
11
1.1
SSW
10
0.9
SSW
10
0.8
SSW
10
0.8
W
10
0.9
W
10
0.9
W
10
0.8
W
9
0.7
SW
16
1.7
SW
15
3
SW
14
2.5
SW
13
2.3
SW
13
2.1
SW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2386
1989
1548
1310
814
814
494
392
260
169
120
135
158
153
108
261
1376
3054
2275
1671
1169
Wind (km/h)
15
SE
15
SSE
15
ESE
10
ESE
10
S
10
ESE
10
E
10
SSW
5
E
5
E
5
SW
5
NNE
5
NW
5
WSW
5
SSE
5
SE
10
S
5
ESE
5
SW
10
WSW
5
SW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross
off
glassy
cross-on
cross
cross-on
glassy
glassy
off
cross-off
off
glassy
cross-on
cross
High Tide
11:40AM1.15m
11:57PM1.34m
12:49PM1.25m
1:03AM1.41m
1:48PM1.36m
2:02AM1.49m
2:40PM1.47m
2:54AM1.55m
3:27PM1.56m
3:42AM1.56m
4:12PM1.61m
4:28AM1.54m
4:55PM1.63m
Low Tide
5:37PM0.45m
6:34AM0.26m
6:51PM0.37m
7:34AM0.17m
7:53PM0.26m
8:26AM0.08m
8:48PM0.17m
9:14AM0.02m
9:38PM0.10m
9:58AM-0.00m
10:25PM0.08m
10:40AM0.01m
11:11PM0.09m
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:50
7:50
7:50
7:48
7:48
7:48
7:48
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:52
5:52
5:52
5:53
5:53
5:54
5:54
 mm
Temp °C
13
15
14
14
18
16
15
18
17
16
18
16
15
16
15
15
18
16
16
17
16
Feels °C
10
12
11
11
16
14
13
16
16
15
16
15
13
14
14
14
17
15
16
16
16
  • 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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