Big Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.79° S 18.46° E

Big Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 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) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 10s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 14s period, SW swell with 1,922 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 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 Saturday (Aug 22) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 16s. 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 2.2m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Sat 22nd Aug)6ft (1.8m) 11s
Best Surf11PM (Sat 22nd Aug)6.5ft (2.0m) 10s
Most Powerful 2PM (Tue 25th Aug)7ft (2.2m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Big Bay.

The next couple of days are a bit of a write-off, but once we get into Sunday morning (August 23), things start to get interesting. The water temperature is sitting at 55°F, which is a solid 5°F colder than usual for this time of year – that’s a notable chill, so a decent wetsuit is a must.

Sunday morning (August 23) is the first real standout. We’ve got a solid 8ft swell rolling in from the WSW, with a period of 13 seconds – that’s a proper groundswell with plenty of energy (combined energy of 1674). The wind is light and cross-off from the SSE, so the face will be clean and well-shaped. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers.

Monday morning (August 24) still offers a decent 6ft WSW swell with a 12-second period, but the wind picks up to a gentle breeze, still cross-off, so it’s clean but not as pristine. The energy drops a bit (980).

Tuesday (August 25) sees a jump in size – 7ft SW swell with a 14-second period, and the combined energy is strong (1868 and 2049). The wind is a moderate cross-off from the SSE, so it’s clean but with a bit of push. This is solid for those who know what they’re doing.

Wednesday (August 26) is a good call for the morning – 4ft WSW swell, 13-second period, light offshore from the ESE, and gentle conditions. It’s clean, with a combined energy of 918. A nice, mellow session.

Thursday (August 27) is a bit of a dud – small swell, cross-on wind, not much to get excited about. Friday (August 28) brings a sweet little window: 4ft WSW groundswell with a 14-second period, and light offshore wind from the ESE. The energy is 890, and the conditions are clean. A good one for a morning paddle.

Saturday (August 29) is blown out – moderate cross-on wind, choppy, and not worth the effort. Sunday (August 30) sees a massive 16ft swell from the WSW, but that’s way too big for this break – it’s really only for the experts, and even then, it’s pushing it.

Monday (August 31) returns to a more manageable 7ft WSW swell with a 11-second period, cross-off wind, and clean conditions. Tuesday (September 1) is a standout – 8ft SW swell, 13-second period, light offshore from the ESE, and a combined energy of 2376. Excellent conditions for experienced surfers.

The rest of the forecast is a mixed bag of big swells and strong winds, with a few promising windows. The September 5 afternoon has a 8ft SW swell with a massive 21-second period (combined energy of 9130), but that long period will make it break a bit straight at beach breaks – still, energy is huge. The September 6 is just too big for most.

Overall, the best on offer is Sunday morning (August 23) and Tuesday (September 1). Both offer solid, clean groundswell with favourable winds.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

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

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Sat
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
4
4
4
4
3
2
3
3
3
4
3
3
3
1
2
3
3
3
3
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
SW
12
1.8
SW
10
2.3
WSW
13
2.2
WSW
12
2.1
WSW
12
1.9
SW
12
1.2
WSW
11
1.6
SW
15
2.2
SW
14
2.2
SW
14
1.7
WSW
13
1.3
WSW
13
1.3
WSW
12
1.2
S
11
1.2
SSW
11
1.1
SSW
11
1.1
S
11
0.8
WSW
16
1.3
WSW
14
1.4
WSW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
479
707
1674
1532
1236
913
370
1108
1868
1824
1002
578
458
345
370
308
291
310
668
811
Wind (km/h)
10
WNW
5
SE
5
SSE
15
SSE
10
SE
15
SSE
20
SSE
15
SSE
20
SSE
20
SSE
20
ESE
15
ESE
10
SE
10
NE
10
NNW
10
NW
10
SSE
10
ESE
15
ESE
15
NE
Wind State
on
cross-off
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
off
cross-off
High Tide
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
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
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
15
14
16
13
15
17
13
16
20
16
18
25
22
21
19
17
24
31
27
Feels °C
12
16
13
14
11
12
13
10
12
16
12
15
23
20
18
17
16
21
28
24
  • Map Icons:
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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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