Big Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.79° S 18.46° E

Big Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 10 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Big Bay sea temperature is
14.2°C
1.4° 

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 11 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 16s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, WSW swell with 4,042 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 12s 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 Saturday (Sep 12) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 15s. Another secondary swell of 1.7m and 7s is also forecast. 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 15s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Sat 12th Sep)4.5ft (1.3m) 12s
Best Surf 5PM (Sat 12th Sep)8ft (2.4m) 16s
Most Powerful 2AM (Wed 16th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 15s

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 Big Bay has cookin’ for the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a slow burn, but there are a few sessions you’re really gonna wanna circle on the calendar.

We’ve got a run of solid SW groundswell working in, and the main story for the next week is a standout on Saturday the 12th and Sunday the 13th. Saturday afternoon is where it’s at – a solid 8ft SW groundswell with a long 16 second period, and the wind goes offshore at 16 mph. That’s a proper combo, and the wave energy is strong, clocking in at (3452). This is expert territory at that size, so if you’ve got the skills, get out there. The water temp is about average for this time of year. Crowds are often an issue here, so expect company.

Sunday morning stays clean with an offshore ESE breeze at 6 mph and a 7ft SW swell (1622 energy). Still a good one for experienced surfers, but a touch smaller than Saturday.

Monday the 14th through Tuesday the 15th is a write-off – strong NW winds and lumpy conditions. Don't bother.

We get a few clean mornings mid-week from Wednesday the 16th to Thursday the 17th, but the swell is inconsistent and mixed with a cross-off breeze. Nothing to get excited about.

Now, Friday the 18th morning is another solid option. A 7ft SW groundswell with 13-second period and light offshore ESE winds at 6 mph (1533 energy). Clean, punchy, and should be a lot of fun.

Saturday the 19th morning keeps the run going: 6ft SW at 14 seconds, light S breeze at 6 mph (1861 energy). That’s another good morning.

We have a bit of a lull from Sunday the 20th through to Wednesday the 23rd. The swell drops, winds turn cross or get strong, and the surf gets marginal. Not worth paddling out unless you’re desperate.

The real standout of the whole outlook, the one to really wait for, is Thursday the 24th of September. Both the morning and afternoon look excellent. The morning delivers a 6ft SW swell, 14-second period, and a light SE breeze at 6 mph (1604 energy). The afternoon holds up at 6ft SW, same period, with a light SSE breeze (1624 energy). Clean, consistent, and not too big – this is where the intermediate surfer gets their reward. That morning session is the pick of the whole 16 days.

Friday the 25th carries the stoke with a 6ft SW groundswell, 13-second period, and a light offshore E wind (1287 energy). Great way to end the working week.

Saturday the 26th, the wheels fall off with a strong N cross-onshore. That’s the end of the run.

So, to wrap it up: Saturday the 12th afternoon is the big one for experts. For the rest of us, the pick is Thursday the 24th morning. Everything else is either blown out, too small, or too far out to bank on.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sun afternoon, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Sun night. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun night, min 13°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Sun night, fresh winds from the NW by Tue afternoon).

Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
2
3
3
5
4
4
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
5
3
3
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.9
WSW
13
1.8
WSW
12
1.6
WSW
12
1.3
WSW
12
1.9
SW
14
2.4
SW
16
2.3
SW
15
2
SW
14
1.7
SW
14
1.4
SW
13
2
NW
7
2.3
NW
8
1
SW
11
0.6
SW
19
1.6
SW
16
3
WSW
15
1.6
SW
14
1.8
SW
13
1.6
SW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1207
919
680
407
1500
3059
2208
1550
1029
680
386
598
250
278
1401
4042
990
1179
730
Wind (km/h)
20
SSE
20
SSE
25
SSE
15
SSE
20
SE
25
SE
15
SE
10
ESE
10
SW
15
N
35
NNW
30
NNW
25
N
30
NW
35
NW
15
SSE
25
SSE
25
S
15
SSE
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
3:10AM1.55m
3:25PM1.70m
3:44AM1.55m
3:58PM1.68m
4:17AM1.52m
4:29PM1.62m
4:48AM1.45m
4:59PM1.52m
5:18AM1.35m
5:29PM1.40m
5:49AM1.24m
6:00PM1.27m
Low Tide
9:08PM0.01m
9:15AM0.02m
9:42PM-0.01m
9:48AM0.03m
10:15PM0.01m
10:19AM0.08m
10:45PM0.07m
10:49AM0.16m
11:15PM0.17m
11:18AM0.26m
11:44PM0.28m
11:48AM0.38m
00:15AM0.41m
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
mod rain
rain showers
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:50
6:50
6:48
6:47
6:46
6:43
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:32
6:34
6:35
6:36
6:36
6:37
6:37
 mm
9
1
3
1
5
Temp °C
16
17
18
15
20
21
18
23
25
17
16
16
15
16
17
16
15
17
14
Feels °C
14
14
14
11
17
18
16
22
23
16
10
11
12
11
10
11
10
12
9
  • 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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