Surf Forecasts:
Big Bay surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 23 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 17s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 8,913 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 11s period with SW 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 Sunday (Jul 19) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 10s. 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 4.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 25) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sun 19th Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 16s |
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’s coming down the line for Big Bay.
We’re looking at a solid run of swell, but the first few days are a bit of a write-off, honestly. Sunday the 19th and Monday the 20th are a no-go – the winds are messy and cross-onshore, the surf is poor to marginal. You’re better off staying home and waxing your boards. The combined energy is weak to moderate for those days, topping out at 1064 (moderate). Skip it.
The action really starts to pick up on Tuesday the 21st. Tuesday morning is the first real standout. You’ve got a clean 5ft SW swell rolling in with a 14-second period, and the wind goes glassy. That’s 1715 (moderate-strong) combined energy and the water is sitting at 58°, which is about average for this time of year. This is the kind of morning you tell your mates about.
Then things get interesting. The real fireworks are Thursday the 23rd afternoon through Saturday the 25th. Thursday afternoon goes glassy again with a 8ft SW swell and a 16-second period – that’s 3520 (strong) combined energy. Friday the 24th is the pick of the bunch: solid 10ft to 12ft SW groundswell, 14-second period, and clean cross-offshore winds. The combined energy hits 4362 (strong). This is proper, heavy, powerful surf. It’s for experienced surfers only – beginners, stay well clear. Saturday the 25th holds onto that quality with 8ft to 8ft SW swell and clean cross-off winds.
After that, the swell backs off a touch but stays rideable. Sunday the 26th morning is still clean with a 5ft WSW swell, and the following week has some good offshore windows. Tuesday the 28th and Wednesday the 29th have clean offshore winds with 7ft to 5ft SW swell – perfect for a mid-week session.
The end of the window fades out. By the 2nd of August, the swell drops to under 3ft, and the combined energy is weak (294 to 366). Not much to get excited about, but maybe a longboard will float your boat.
The absolute best on offer is Friday the 24th at Big Bay. That’s your standout. Big SW groundswell, clean cross-off winds, plenty of energy. It’s an exposed spot, so expect it to be handling that size well. Crowds are often, so get there early.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 11°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 12 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 9 | SW 8 | SSW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 625 | 945 | 1069 | 481 | 279 | 322 | 1664 | 2205 | 1828 | 1341 | 1207 | 977 | 1103 | 3021 | 8075 | 4362 | 3278 | 2975 | 2474 | 1751 | 1073 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross | glassy | on | on | cross | cross-on | glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 7:01PM1.42m | 7:23AM1.17m | 7:45PM1.31m | 8:15AM1.07m | 8:37PM1.19m | 9:22AM1.00m | 9:43PM1.11m | 10:48AM0.98m | 11:05PM1.08m | 12:11PM1.02m | 00:19AM1.11m | 1:10PM1.09m | 1:14AM1.17m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:39PM0.27m | 1:24AM0.33m | 1:21PM0.39m | 2:14AM0.43m | 2:09PM0.51m | 3:14AM0.51m | 3:14PM0.60m | 4:34AM0.55m | 4:48PM0.64m | 5:57AM0.53m | 6:16PM0.61m | 6:58AM0.46m | 7:16PM0.54m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | | | | | |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 7:47 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — |
 | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — |
mm | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 9 | SW 8 | SSW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 12 |
| kJ | 625 | 945 | 1069 | 481 | 279 | 322 | 1664 | 2205 | 1828 | 1341 | 1207 | 977 | 1103 | 3021 | 8075 | 4362 | 3278 | 2975 | 2474 | 1751 | 1073 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | SW 8 | W 9 | W 9 | — | SSW 15 | — | SSW 12 | — | WSW 13 | — | — | — | — | SSW 14 | S 6 | S 12 |
| kJ | 146 | 100 | 121 | 118 | 90 | 69 | 39 | 24 | — | 21 | — | 193 | — | 499 | — | — | — | — | 606 | 68 | 341 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SW 16 | SW 18 | SW 12 | WSW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 36 | 19 | 9 | 10 | 50 | 118 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 4 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | 32 | 58 | 107 | 57 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 29 | 0 | 4 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 29 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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.
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