Surf Forecasts:
Big Bay surf forecast from 13 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 15 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 15 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SW swell with 3,953 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 14 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 12s period with W 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 Tuesday (Jul 14) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 9s. 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 3.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 11PM. 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 4s period and expected on Friday (Jul 17) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Tue 14th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 5PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Big Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for Big Bay over the next couple of weeks.
We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but once it fires up, it really gets going. The first couple of days are pretty underwhelming, so don’t rush out on Tuesday. The real action kicks off Wednesday morning, and that’s when things get interesting.
Wednesday, July 15th is the standout. The morning is pure magic – glassy conditions with a 4ft swell from the WSW, and a very long period of 17 seconds. That’s serious groundswell energy, and the combined energy is a massive 1244 (moderate). This is excellent for experienced surfers, offering clean, powerful waves. The afternoon builds to 8ft from the SW with a 16-second period, and the energy jumps to 3402 (strong). The wind is light and cross-off, keeping it clean. This is the best session on offer – a true highlight.
Thursday, July 16th holds similar size at 8ft from the SW, but the period drops to 13 seconds. Still clean with light cross-off winds, but the energy is a bit lower at 2241 (strong). It’s still very good.
Friday, July 17th sees the swell drop to 7ft from the SW, with a period of 11 seconds. The wind is offshore in the morning, so expect clean lines. Energy is at 913 (moderate). A solid call.
Saturday, July 18th is a smaller day. The morning has glassy, 4ft swell from the S with a long 11-second period, but the energy is only 507 (weak). It’s worth a look if you’re desperate for a flat paddle.
Sunday, July 19th the swell jumps back up to 7ft from the SW. The morning is clean with a cross-off breeze, and the energy is 1282 (strong). This is another excellent window for experienced surfers.
Monday, July 20th keeps the 7ft to 7ft SW swell running, with clean offshore winds in the morning. Energy is 1100 (strong). Solid.
Tuesday, July 21st is a big one. We’re looking at 10ft from the SW with a very long 15-second period. The energy is a punchy 3417 (strong). The morning has light, clean conditions, but this is for experts only. The afternoon gets a bit wind-affected.
Then we hit a rough patch. From Wednesday, July 22nd through Saturday, July 25th, the wind is strong and cross-onshore, ruining the 10ft surf. It’s messy and lumpy. Not worth it. This stretch is a write-off for paddle surfing; the wind is so strong, the setup looks more interesting for kite surfing.
The conditions turn around Sunday, July 26th. The morning has a 10ft swell from the WSW with a very long 16-second period, but the wind is moderate. The afternoon is the real deal: clean, cross-off winds, 10ft from the WSW, and a massive energy reading of 3719 (strong). This is another top-tier session for experts.
Monday, July 27th is glassy in the morning with a 8ft WSW swell. Clean and powerful. The energy is 2519 (strong).
Tuesday, July 28th offers a glassy morning with 6ft from the SW, and Wednesday, July 29th finishes the run with a clean 5ft from the SW.
So, the standout is Wednesday, July 15th morning – that glassy, long-period groundswell is a dream. The second standout is Sunday, July 26th afternoon – big, clean, and powerful. Both are for experienced surfers only.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri afternoon, min 14°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Mon 20 | |||||||||||||||
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) | W 12 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | WSW 17 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 10 | S 11 | S 11 | WSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 220 | 167 | 156 | 132 | 975 | 3326 | 3705 | 2241 | 1671 | 944 | 913 | 759 | 333 | 277 | 227 | 1256 | 1193 | 1130 | 906 | 1037 | 1165 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | off | off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross |
High Tide | 2:54AM1.55m | 3:27PM1.56m | 3:42AM1.56m | 4:12PM1.61m | 4:28AM1.54m | 4:55PM1.63m | 5:12AM1.48m | 5:37PM1.59m | 5:55AM1.39m | 6:19PM1.52m | 6:38AM1.28m | 7:01PM1.42m | 7:23AM1.17m | 7:45PM1.31m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:48PM0.17m | 9:14AM0.02m | 9:38PM0.10m | 9:58AM-0.00m | 10:25PM0.08m | 10:40AM0.01m | 11:11PM0.09m | 11:20AM0.07m | 11:55PM0.15m | 12:00PM0.16m | 00:39AM0.23m | 12:39PM0.27m | 1:24AM0.33m | 1:21PM0.39m | |||||||
 |  | |  | | | |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:46 | — |
 | 5:53 | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 16 |
Feels °C | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 12 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | WSW 17 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 10 | S 11 | S 11 | WSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 |
| kJ | 220 | 167 | 156 | 132 | 975 | 3326 | 3705 | 2241 | 1671 | 944 | 913 | 759 | 333 | 277 | 227 | 1256 | 1193 | 1130 | 906 | 1037 | 1165 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SW 18 | SW 11 | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 9 | WSW 10 | WSW 11 | S 10 | S 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | SW 19 |
| kJ | 90 | 25 | 24 | 108 | 165 | 76 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 124 | 129 | 194 | 100 | 51 | 102 | 69 | 46 | 296 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 12 | SW 9 | SW 13 | — | W 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SW 21 | W 10 |
| kJ | 45 | 59 | 56 | 52 | 104 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 109 | 101 | 168 | — | 38 | 19 | 9 | 17 | 45 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 29 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 29 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 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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