Surf Forecasts:
Big Bay surf forecast from 13 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 14 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 16s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with 2,962 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 14 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 16s 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 Friday (Aug 14) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 4s. 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 3.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Fri 14th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Fri 14th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Big Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's get into it for Big Bay. We've got a long window here, and to be honest, the start is pretty messy. The surf is there on Thursday the 13th, with a solid 7ft groundswell from the WSW, period a whopping 17 seconds. The combined energy is pumping hard, but that’s where the good news ends. The wind is a messy cross-shore from the NNE at 9 mph, and the water is a brutal 55°, which is 5° colder than normal. That's not just a little chilly, that's much colder than usual for this time of year. Thursday afternoon is no better, with onshore wind. The whole vibe is "marginal" – not the kind of day you write home about.
Friday the 14th is a write-off, don’t bother. Moderate cross-onshore winds and dropping swell. Saturday morning the 15th is the first real glimmer. The swell is still a fun 6ft from the WSW, period 14 seconds, but the wind is glassy – a dead calm S at 3 mph. That’s a massive positive, and it says "excellent for experienced surfers." For the crew that can handle it, that Saturday session will be clean as a whistle.
Sunday the 16th and Monday the 17th are a bit of a mixed bag. Sunday has some bumpy cross-on conditions, but Monday morning the 17th is a standout for the first week. The swell jumps to 8ft from the WSW, period 13 seconds, with strong energy, and the wind is glassy again (NW at 3 mph). That’s expert territory for size, but if you’ve got the skill, that Monday morning will be firing with clean, powerful lines.
After that, things taper off through the 18th and 19th, with smaller, choppier conditions and moderate cross-offshore winds. The 20th has clean wind but weak swell. It’s not looking good.
Now, let’s jump to Saturday the 22nd. This is a big one. We’ve got an 8ft groundswell from the SW, period 14 seconds, with energy way up. The wind is a clean cross-offshore from the S at 6 mph. This is a serious day – excellent for experienced surfers. It’s a standout in the whole forecast. The following Sunday the 23rd is also excellent, with clean conditions and consistent 6-7ft SW swell.
Moving into the last week, Monday the 24th and Tuesday the 25th offer smaller but glassy or clean conditions. The real highlight, the absolute best of the long-range, is Thursday the 27th and Friday the 28th. Thursday morning shows a massive 8ft SW swell building, with energy going strong. By Friday the 28th morning, it's even bigger – 10ft from the WSW, period 14 seconds, and energy levels screaming. The wind is clean cross-offshore both days. That Friday is the biggest, cleanest swell of the entire 16 days, a true standout, but it’s only for experts. The week two forecast has a few more clean days with smaller swell, but the 27th and 28th are the ones to circle on your calendar.
Alright, that’s the picture from here.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun afternoon, min 14°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | ||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 2262 | 1828 | 1145 | 1130 | 1059 | 1043 | 1419 | 1306 | 1303 | 1714 | 2962 | 2354 | 1872 | 1756 | 847 | 1191 | 1738 | 1293 | 1092 | 1017 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | glassy | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:52PM1.68m | 4:09AM1.56m | 4:29PM1.69m | 4:46AM1.51m | 5:05PM1.64m | 5:22AM1.43m | 5:39PM1.55m | 5:57AM1.33m | 6:13PM1.43m | 6:32AM1.21m | 6:48PM1.29m | 7:12AM1.10m | 7:29PM1.15m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:07PM0.02m | 10:16AM-0.00m | 10:45PM0.03m | 10:51AM0.05m | 11:22PM0.09m | 11:24AM0.14m | 11:57PM0.19m | 11:57AM0.25m | 00:31AM0.30m | 12:30PM0.38m | 1:08AM0.42m | 1:06PM0.51m | 1:55AM0.54m | |||||||
 |  | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — |
 | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:19 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 20 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 22 | 17 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 |
| kJ | 2262 | 1828 | 1145 | 1130 | 1059 | 1043 | 1419 | 1306 | 1303 | 1714 | 2962 | 2354 | 1872 | 1756 | 847 | 1191 | 1738 | 1293 | 1092 | 1017 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 16 | — | SW 13 | WSW 12 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 37 | 31 | 35 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 193 | — | 649 | 447 | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 6 | NNW 4 | NW 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 54 | 11 | 37 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 29 | 0 | 34 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 29 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 4 | 34 | 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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