Surf Forecasts:
Big Bay surf forecast from 11 Jun 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 13 Jun, 5AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 12s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 12 Jun, 11AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 11s period, WSW swell with 3,037 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 13 Jun, 5AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 12s 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 (Jun 13) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 1.7m and 10s. 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 3.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jun 12) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Jun 18) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Sat 13th Jun) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sat 13th Jun) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Fri 12th Jun) | 11ft (3.5m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Big Bay over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu night, min 12°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the N on Thu night, calm by Sat night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon morning, strong winds from the SSE by Wed morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 12 | Saturday 13 | Sunday 14 | Monday 15 | Tuesday 16 | Wednesday 17 | Thu 18 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1967 | 3037 | 2267 | 1256 | 2286 | 2591 | 1924 | 1361 | 1313 | 821 | 860 | 604 | 394 | 327 | 476 | 531 | 624 | 228 | 1194 | 1402 | 1123 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | off | cross | glassy | cross-on | on | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 00:19AM1.44m | 1:04PM1.32m | 1:14AM1.51m | 1:55PM1.41m | 2:07AM1.56m | 2:45PM1.48m | 2:58AM1.59m | 3:34PM1.53m | 3:49AM1.58m | 4:23PM1.54m | 4:39AM1.53m | 5:12PM1.53m | 5:29AM1.44m | 6:01PM1.50m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:51AM0.17m | 7:02PM0.30m | 7:43AM0.09m | 7:57PM0.22m | 8:33AM0.03m | 8:49PM0.16m | 9:21AM0.00m | 9:41PM0.12m | 10:08AM0.01m | 10:32PM0.13m | 10:55AM0.05m | 11:24PM0.17m | 11:42AM0.12m | ||||||||
— | 7:47 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:48 | — | |
5:44 | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | |
mm | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 16 |
Feels °C | 10 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SW 12 | SW 12 | S 7 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
1967 | 3037 | 2267 | 1256 | 2286 | 2591 | 1924 | 1361 | 1313 | 821 | 860 | 604 | 394 | 171 | 276 | 531 | 624 | 89 | 1194 | 1402 | 1123 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SSW 12 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | NW 12 | NW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 13 | S 8 | S 8 | SW 11 | S 6 | S 6 | NW 6 |
— | — | — | 133 | 326 | 190 | 117 | 59 | 6 | 6 | 97 | 75 | 64 | 59 | 215 | 165 | 95 | 228 | 62 | 60 | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | S 18 | W 11 | NW 13 | NW 13 | NW 11 | — | — | W 12 | — | — | SW 10 | SW 10 | — | — | SW 12 | NW 6 | NW 6 | — |
— | — | — | 6 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 5 | — | — | 3 | — | — | 36 | 33 | — | — | 187 | 1 | 1 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 4 | — | — | — | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | — | SSE 7 | — | SSE 6 | S 6 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 31 | — | — | — | 295 | 327 | 476 | 240 | — | 186 | — | 150 | 112 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 322 | 129 | 129 | 2 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 2 | 29 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 130 | 166 | 163 | 0 | 91 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Town | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











