Big Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.79° S 18.46° E

Big Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 03 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Big Bay sea temperature is
13.6° C
1.8° 

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 3 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 10 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 12s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 10 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 12s period, S swell with 7,956 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 3 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 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 Monday (Aug 03) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 12s. 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 5.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 10) 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 1.4m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 09) at 2PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Mon 3rd Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 13s
Best Surf 8AM (Mon 10th Aug)16ft (5.0m) 12s
Most Powerful 8AM (Mon 10th Aug)16ft (5.0m) 12s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, friends, Rusty here. Let’s cut through the noise and get straight to it. We’ve got a solid run of southwest swell on the charts for the next couple of weeks. It’s got some serious pop to it, so it’s not for the timid, but there’s definitely some good ones in there if you’re keen.

The first couple of days are a bit of a tease. Monday has some small, crossed-up energy, but the tide is making it a pain. Tuesday is glassy and clean though, with a nice 5ft SW swell rolling in. It’s a sign of things to come, but still a bit small.

Then things get serious. Wednesday the swell jumps to around 7-8ft, but the wind goes cross-on and chops it all up. It’s going to be a messy, bumpy day. Better to wait it out.

Thursday is where it all connects. That southwest groundswell builds to a proper 10ft, and with light cross-offshore winds, the surface is going to be clean. The combined wave energy is strong, hitting 3136 on the morning push. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. It’s big, with a 13-second period, so there’s real power. If you’re an advanced surfer, this is the first standout.

Friday keeps the size up, pushing 12ft in the afternoon. The wind stays offshore, the surface is clean, and the energy soars to 4250. Another big, strong day for experts only. The southwest direction is perfect for Big Bay’s exposed setup.

Saturday morning drops slightly to around 8ft, but it’s glassy and clean. This is a great window for strong intermediates and up, with excellent conditions and a bit more manageable size. The energy is still moderate. Saturday afternoon gets a bit lumpy with a cross-on breeze though.

Sunday morning is another clean one at 8ft, but the afternoon is a different story. The wind howls from the SSE at 28 mph, and the swell jumps to a massive 15ft. The energy reading is off the charts at 6937, but it’s going to be a blown-out, chaotic mess. This is not a day for paddling.

Monday, the 10th, sees the wind even stronger, near gale force, with the swell still at 15ft. The energy is still enormous, but it’s wild. This is beyond expert level; it’s survival stuff. I’d give it a miss unless you’ve got a death wish. This setup looks far more interesting for the kite surfers than us paddle folk.

Tuesday, the 11th, the wind swings offshore and the swell drops to a very surfable 8ft. The surface is clean and the energy is still moderate. This is a great day for a lot of people, with conditions finally matching the size.

Now, looking into the second week, we’ve got another pulse of proper long-period groundswell. Wednesday morning, the 12th, brings in a 6ft swell with a 20-second period and glassy conditions. That period is exceptionally long, meaning powerful, well-shaped waves that will be best at a point or reef break, not a beach break that might close out. The energy is solid, and this is a promising standout, but remember, the long range is less certain.

Thursday and Friday keep the fun going with consistent 7-8ft SW swell and light winds. Friday morning looks particularly clean and glassy with that long period energy still in the water.

The weekend sees the swell easing a bit, but there’s still rideable 7-8ft surf. The wind could be a bit of a factor, but the following Tuesday, the 18th, looks like another big one, with the swell jumping back up to 13ft. That’s another huge, expert-only day on the horizon.

So, the two true standouts in this whole run are the Thursday and Friday, the 6th and 7th of August, with that big, clean, powerful southwest swell. And keep an eye on that Wednesday morning, the 12th, with the very long period and glassy conditions – that’s a special one if it holds up. Be smart, be patient, and pick your sessions.

That’s the long and short of it from Big Bay, where the water is sitting at about 57°, which is a bit colder than average for this time of year. Bring the booties.

Rusty out.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Warm (max 23°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Sun morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri afternoon, min 10°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Mon
3
Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
2
2
3
1
0
3
5
4
5
3
5
5
4
3
3
4
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
WSW
13
1.6
SW
12
1.4
SW
11
1.1
SW
11
0.8
SW
15
2
SW
16
2.4
SW
15
3
WSW
13
3
WSW
13
3
SW
13
2.5
SW
13
3
SW
14
3.5
SW
14
3
SW
14
2.5
SW
13
2.4
SW
13
3
SW
13
2.5
SW
12
4.5
SSW
10
4.5
SSW
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
499
683
431
293
301
1880
2392
3010
3136
2587
2567
3805
4250
3504
2254
1922
2843
1859
4334
4359
Wind (km/h)
10
SSW
10
ENE
5
NE
5
SSE
5
N
20
NNW
25
NW
20
N
10
SE
10
SSE
15
SSE
25
SSE
15
S
5
NW
5
WNW
10
WSW
10
N
15
SSE
45
SSE
50
SSE
Wind State
cross
cross-off
glassy
glassy
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
glassy
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
6:08PM1.47m
6:28AM1.27m
6:48PM1.41m
7:15AM1.19m
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
Low Tide
00:24AM0.25m
12:25PM0.29m
1:09AM0.31m
1:11PM0.39m
2:07AM0.39m
2:13PM0.48m
3:28AM0.44m
3:47PM0.55m
5:09AM0.43m
5:37PM0.51m
6:32AM0.33m
6:57PM0.39m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
light rain
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
heavy rain
mod rain
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:35
7:35
7:33
7:33
7:31
7:31
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:07
6:07
6:08
6:08
6:09
6:10
6:12
 mm
2
4
14
8
3
Temp °C
23
19
18
19
15
15
16
14
12
13
12
12
14
12
12
13
12
11
11
11
Feels °C
21
17
16
16
14
12
11
11
9
11
9
7
10
10
11
11
11
8
6
0
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  • 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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