Big Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.79° S 18.46° E

Big Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 22 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Big Bay sea temperature is
12.9° C
2.7° 

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 22 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 10s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 14s period, SW swell with 2,171 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s 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 Saturday (Aug 22) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 11s. 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 2.3m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Sat 22nd Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 10s
Best Surf11PM (Sat 22nd Aug)7ft (2.1m) 10s
Most Powerful 8AM (Tue 25th Aug)7.5ft (2.3m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at the 16-day run for Big Bay.

We’re kicking off with a bit of a slow start. The first couple of days are a bit messy – Friday afternoon has some waist-high swell, but the wind is cross and the conditions are just marginal. Saturday is smaller and even less appealing, with a cross-on breeze. Not worth getting excited about just yet.

But hang on, because Sunday the 23rd is where it starts to light up. The morning sees a solid 8ft SW swell rolling in, with a 13-second period and a clean cross-off wind. The combined energy is strong (1674), and the water is a much colder than normal 55°, which is over 5° colder than usual for this time of year – so you’ll want a thick wetsuit. This is a standout window for experienced surfers. The afternoon holds up nicely too, with 7ft and clean conditions.

Monday the 24th keeps the good run going with a 6ft SW swell in the morning, still clean. The afternoon drops off a bit in size and score, but the morning is the pick of that day.

Tuesday the 25th is another absolute highlight. We’ve got a 8ft SW swell, a long 14-second period, and clean cross-off wind. The energy is pumping at 2267. This is prime groundswell – the kind where the sets are well-spaced and the waves have real punch. The afternoon stays solid but drops a little in quality.

Wednesday the 26th is a bit of a breather with smaller 4ft waves, but the wind goes offshore in the morning, making for clean, surfable lines. Still a good session for a cruiser board.

Thursday the 27th is a write-off – small, cross-on, and messy. Skip it.

Friday the 28th brings a nice return of form. Morning has 4ft of 14-second WSW groundswell, clean. But the afternoon is the real treat – the wind drops to glassy, and with 4ft of long-period swell, it’s going to be smooth and silky. A proper session for the soul.

Saturday the 29th is a no-go – strong cross-on winds and lumpy, sloppy surf. The afternoon kicks up to 8ft, but it’s a short period windswell, and the wind is fresh onshore. Ugly.

Now, here’s the big one. Sunday the 30th. A massive 13ft WSW swell arrives, with a 12-second period and clean cross-off wind. The combined energy is a whopping 4990 – that’s very strong. This is expert only territory. The waves will be thick and powerful, and at a beach break, that long period can make it a bit too straight, but for the crew who can handle it, it’s going to be epic. The afternoon drops to 10ft, still clean and punchy.

The following week offers a mix. Monday the 31st is a solid 6ft, clean, good for a fun session. Tuesday the 1st of September brings a 6ft SW swell with offshore wind in the morning – clean and punchy. The afternoon gets a bit messy with cross-on wind.

Wednesday the 2nd and Thursday the 3rd are blown out by strong winds and lumpy conditions. Friday the 4th has a clean 6ft morning with offshore wind, a nice way to finish the week. Saturday the 5th is a bust with short-period, choppy slop.

So, the true standouts for the whole period are Tuesday the 25th and Sunday the 30th. The 25th for that clean, long-period groundswell at 8ft, and the 30th for the sheer size and power of the 13ft beast. If you’re after the cleanest, most fun session, don’t miss Friday afternoon the 28th – glassy and lovely.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
4
4
4
4
3
2
4
3
3
4
3
4
3
2
2
3
3
3
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
SSW
12
1.2
SW
12
1.8
SW
10
2.3
WSW
13
2.2
WSW
12
2.1
WSW
12
1.8
WSW
12
1.2
WSW
11
1.6
SW
15
2.4
SW
14
2.2
SW
14
1.7
WSW
13
1.3
WSW
13
1.4
S
11
1.3
S
11
1.2
SSW
11
1.1
S
11
1.1
S
11
0.8
WSW
16
1.4
WSW
14
1.4
WSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
443
435
694
1674
1532
1177
844
376
1039
2171
1824
1061
587
492
403
363
291
286
302
778
778
Wind (km/h)
10
NW
10
W
5
SE
5
SSE
15
S
10
SE
15
SSE
25
SSE
15
SE
20
SSE
20
SSE
15
ESE
10
ESE
10
SSE
10
NE
10
NNW
5
WNW
10
SSE
10
ESE
5
SSE
15
NNE
Wind State
on
on
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
on
cross-off
off
glassy
cross
High Tide
11:54AM0.96m
00:06AM1.04m
12:58PM1.07m
1:01AM1.13m
1:36PM1.19m
1:40AM1.24m
2:08PM1.31m
2:13AM1.33m
2:36PM1.42m
2:44AM1.41m
3:04PM1.52m
3:14AM1.47m
3:32PM1.59m
3:44AM1.50m
Low Tide
6:08PM0.66m
6:46AM0.52m
7:07PM0.56m
7:27AM0.41m
7:45PM0.45m
7:59AM0.30m
8:17PM0.34m
8:27AM0.21m
8:46PM0.24m
8:54AM0.14m
9:15PM0.16m
9:21AM0.09m
9:44PM0.10m
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:16
7:16
7:15
7:13
7:11
7:11
7:09
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:21
6:21
6:22
6:22
6:22
6:23
6:24
 mm
Temp °C
15
16
15
14
16
13
15
17
14
16
20
17
19
24
22
22
21
20
24
32
26
Feels °C
13
13
15
13
14
11
12
13
12
12
16
14
17
22
21
20
19
19
21
30
23
  • 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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