Big Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.79° S 18.46° E

Big Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 am 30 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Big Bay sea temperature is
13.3° C
2.1° 

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 30 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 6 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 6 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, SW swell with 4,623 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 30 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 13s 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 Thursday (Jul 30) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 13s period. 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 13s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 06) 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 0.4m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 30) at 8PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5PM (Thu 30th Jul)4.5ft (1.4m) 13s
Best Surf 5AM (Thu 6th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 14s
Most Powerful 2PM (Thu 6th Aug)11ft (3.5m) 13s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into the outlook for Big Bay. We’ve got a solid run of surf on the cards, but it’s a tale of two halves. The first week is all about clean, manageable waves, before a big pulse of south-west groundswell hits us in the second week that’ll have the experts drooling.

We start off right now, Thursday the 30th of July. The water is sitting at 56°, which is a solid 4° colder than usual for this time of year. That’s a proper chill, so don’t forget the booties. The surf is at a friendly 5ft, coming from the south-west with a 13-second period. The combined energy is a solid 802, so there’s plenty of push. The wind is light and cross-offshore, making for some clean, lined-up waves. This is a great session for the intermediate crowd.

Friday the 31st sees the swell drop a touch to 4ft, but the south-west swell is still holding strong at 12 seconds. The morning has a clean offshore breeze, and by the afternoon, it goes glassy. The energy is down to 436, but the quality is still there. It’s a fun, cruisy day.

Saturday the 1st of August looks similar in size, but the swell period bumps up to 14 seconds, lifting the energy to 585. This long-period groundswell will be reeling off the point. Morning is clean with a cross-offshore breeze, but the afternoon gets a bit messy with a light cross-shore wind. The morning is the pick.

Sunday the 2nd is a tale of two sessions. The morning is a bit onshore, but the afternoon turns glassy again with a 4ft, 12-second south-west swell. The energy is 567. You’ll want to be out there for the afternoon glass-off.

Monday the 3rd has a solid increase in energy, hitting 751, with 5ft swell. The morning is glassy and perfect. Tuesday the 4th is a bit of a write-off with onshore winds, so give it a miss.

Now, here’s where it gets real. Wednesday the 5th of August, the swell jumps up to 10ft, but the wind is a messy cross-on. The energy is a massive 4131. This is too big and choppy for a good time on a paddle board. It’s more of a kite-surfing show.

The standout is Thursday the 6th of August. The swell drops slightly to 10ft, but the wind goes light and cross-offshore, creating some epic conditions. The south-west swell is at 13 seconds, and the energy is 3968. By the afternoon, the swell hits 13ft with a 14-second period and energy is a massive 5830. This is exceptional, expert-level surf. The waves are going to be big, powerful, and clean. If you’ve got the skills, this is the session to circle.

Friday the 7th of August keeps the goodness going. The morning is glassy with 12ft swell and 14-second period, and energy is 4097. The afternoon gets a bit of a cross-shore chop, but the morning is world-class.

The weekend of the 8th and 9th of August is a write-off. The wind howls onshore, and the swell is all over the place. The energy drops to 936 on Sunday, but it’s not worth the trouble.

Monday the 10th of August sees a new pulse of 12ft swell, but the wind is moderate. It’s still potentially good for experienced surfers, but the earlier sessions were cleaner.

The second standout is Wednesday the 12th of August. The morning is glassy with a 7ft, 15-second south-west swell. The energy is 3232. But the afternoon is the real deal. The swell jumps to 12ft from the west-south-west, with a very long 17-second period. The energy is a massive 6471. This is about as good as it gets for a point break. The waves will be lined up, powerful, and the wind is light and cross-offshore. This is a true highlight for the experts.

Thursday the 13th and Friday the 14th of August finish the run nicely. The swell eases back to 8ft, with glassy or light offshore winds. The energy is still strong at 3034 on Thursday morning. The waves are clean and powerful, perfect for the experienced surfer.

Overall, Big Bay is firing. The first few days are glassy and fun, but that second week, especially the 6th and the 12th, is where the magic happens. Get on it.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
30
Friday
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
3
2
2
2
3
1
2
1
3
3
3
2
3
1
0
2
2
0
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
SW
13
1.4
SW
13
1.3
SW
13
1.2
SW
12
1.1
SW
12
0.7
WSW
16
1.2
SW
14
1.2
SW
13
1.2
SW
13
1.2
SW
13
1.2
SW
12
1.4
SW
13
1.4
SW
12
1.2
WSW
12
1.3
SW
12
1.4
SW
11
1.2
SW
11
0.8
SW
15
3
SW
15
3.5
WSW
14
3.5
WSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
796
669
545
416
355
215
581
494
486
479
442
680
599
433
503
431
341
301
4131
4423
4065
Wind (km/h)
5
E
5
S
10
E
10
ESE
5
SSW
10
E
5
E
10
SSW
5
ESE
5
NNW
5
W
5
ENE
5
ESE
5
SSW
5
NNE
10
N
10
W
10
NNE
15
N
20
NNW
10
N
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
glassy
off
cross-off
cross
off
cross-on
glassy
glassy
glassy
cross
glassy
cross
on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
4:03PM1.49m
4:09AM1.43m
4:33PM1.52m
4:41AM1.42m
5:03PM1.53m
5:13AM1.39m
5:34PM1.52m
5:48AM1.34m
6:08PM1.47m
6:28AM1.27m
6:48PM1.41m
7:15AM1.19m
7:38PM1.32m
Low Tide
9:50AM0.13m
10:11PM0.22m
10:18AM0.12m
10:42PM0.20m
10:47AM0.13m
11:13PM0.20m
11:16AM0.16m
11:47PM0.21m
11:48AM0.21m
00:24AM0.25m
12:25PM0.29m
1:09AM0.31m
1:11PM0.39m
2:07AM0.39m
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:39
7:39
7:37
7:37
7:37
7:35
7:35
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:05
6:05
6:06
6:07
6:07
6:07
6:08
 mm
Temp °C
15
18
17
18
22
21
20
23
20
18
20
16
17
18
17
15
17
14
13
15
15
Feels °C
13
16
15
15
19
18
17
20
17
15
17
15
16
16
15
13
15
13
10
11
11
  • 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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