
Surf Forecasts:
Big Bay surf forecast from 5 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 6 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 8 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 4,804 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 6 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s 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 Thursday (Aug 06) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 13s period. 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 3.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 08) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Thu 6th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Thu 6th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Sat 8th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Big Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, it’s Rusty. Let’s cut to it. Big Bay has a couple of solid swells on the way, but the wind is gonna be a factor at times. Water’s at 57°, which is a bit colder than usual for this time of year, so you’ll want a hood.
First up, Wednesday the 5th. There’s a 8ft SW groundswell with a 15-second period, plenty of energy in the water (2331). But it’s blowing a fresh cross-onshore from the NNW, so it’s lumpy and messy. Not the one.
Thursday the 6th morning is where it gets serious. Swell jumps to 12ft from the WSW, 13-second period, and energy is strong at 3611. Light cross-off wind from the SSE, so it’s clean. This is big and beefy – only for the experienced crew. The afternoon is similar, but the wind picks up a bit.
Friday the 7th morning keeps it solid – 10ft SW swell, 14-second period, light cross-off. Energy at 3673, and it’s clean. The morning is the better session here. The afternoon gets a little less clean.
Saturday the 8th morning is the standout of the first week. Glassy, 8ft SW swell, 13-second period. No wind to speak of. Energy is moderate at 2221, and the ocean’s like a pond. This is the one.
Sunday the 9th goes down the drain with a strong SSE wind at 28 mph and a 10-13ft swell. It’s a mess. Monday the 10th is no better, still fresh wind and a dropping swell.
Things settle Tuesday the 11th. Swell drops to around 6-7ft, light offshore wind, energy down to a moderate 1138. Much more manageable.
Wednesday the 12th is special. A 5-6ft SW swell with a very long 18-second period. Gentle offshore in the morning, glassy by the arvo. Energy is moderate at 1617. This is a classic, lined-up day. Thursday the 13th keeps the good vibes, just a touch smaller.
From Friday the 14th through to the 17th, the swell drops under 5ft, the energy weakens to around 600, and the wind goes onshore. It goes flat and fat. Not worth the effort.
Then, Monday the 18th, there’s a late pulse. A 10ft SW swell with a 12-second period and a light cross-off wind. Energy is strong at 2680. Morning is clean and powerful – another one for the experts.
After that, it fades out fast, with the swell dropping to under 3ft and poor wind on the 19th and 20th.
So, the best of the lot: Saturday the 8th morning – glassy, 8ft SW, beautiful. Second pick is Wednesday the 12th with that long-period groundswell and offshore wind. Both are clean, powerful, and will have some proper walls. Just remember, those big 11ft+ days are for the big wave heads only.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Wed night. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 10°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the N on Wed night, calm by Fri afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 10°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Sat afternoon, strong winds from the SSE by Sun afternoon). | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | ||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 12 | S 11 | SW 21 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
2233 | 4163 | 3611 | 3350 | 3267 | 3673 | 4370 | 3555 | 2221 | 3893 | 4445 | 3066 | 4072 | 2180 | 1209 | 1306 | 805 | 1082 | 1095 | 1615 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 7:38PM1.32m | 8:20AM1.10m | 8:48PM1.23m | 9:52AM1.05m | 10:22PM1.20m | 11:32AM1.10m | 11:55PM1.25m | 12:48PM1.23m | 1:05AM1.35m | 1:45PM1.37m | 2:00AM1.45m | 2:32PM1.51m | 2:47AM1.53m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:07AM0.39m | 2:13PM0.48m | 3:28AM0.44m | 3:47PM0.55m | 5:09AM0.43m | 5:37PM0.51m | 6:32AM0.33m | 6:57PM0.39m | 7:32AM0.21m | 7:55PM0.25m | 8:19AM0.10m | 8:44PM0.13m | ||||||||
— | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | |
6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | |
mm | — | 8 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 9 | 15 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | — | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | S 10 | SSW 12 | S 12 | SW 21 |
2233 | 4163 | 3611 | 3350 | 3267 | 3673 | 4370 | 3555 | 2221 | 3893 | 4445 | 3066 | — | 1422 | 503 | 375 | 776 | 1082 | 773 | 1615 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | WSW 10 | SW 25 | S 11 |
25 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 104 | 805 | 41 | 157 | 388 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 11 | W 28 | SW 10 | — |
2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 76 | 15 | 25 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 5 | NNW 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 7 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 9 | — | S 11 | — |
71 | 74 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 356 | 4072 | 2180 | 1209 | 1306 | 713 | — | 1095 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 340 | 29 | 0 | 70 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 70 | 342 | 904 | 102 | 1276 | 2825 | 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.











