Surf Forecasts:
Big Bay surf forecast from 25 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 8,121 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 25 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 14s 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 Tuesday (Aug 25) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 14s. Another secondary swell of 1.3m and 6s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Big Bay in the next 16 days are 4.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Tue 25th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 15ft (4.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 15ft (4.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Big Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let’s talk about what’s coming up in our stretch of coast.
We’ve got a solid run of surf over the next couple of weeks, but it’s not all smooth sailing. The water’s sitting at 57°, which is a bit colder than normal for the time of year, so you might want an extra layer if you’re heading out early.
The first real action kicks off Tuesday afternoon, August 25th, at Big Bay. It’s a bit of a mixed bag to start: a 7ft WSW swell, period around 14 seconds, with a cross-off breeze. The energy’s moderate to strong (1999), but the conditions are only marginal, so keep expectations in check. Wednesday morning, August 26th, is a much cleaner prospect – 4ft WSW swell, 13 seconds, with offshore ESE winds at 6 mph. Light breeze, clean faces, and the energy's still decent (851). That’s a good window for a session.
Thursday, August 27th, takes a step back with onshore winds and a shift to a smaller SSW swell, so I’d give it a miss. Friday, August 28th, the afternoon picks up again with a 4ft WSW swell, 14 seconds, and cross-off winds, making for clean conditions. Energy’s moderate (724). Saturday, August 29th, is a write-off with onshore winds all day. Sunday, August 30th, though, is a standout: 8ft WSW swell, 13 seconds, cross-off southerlies at 9 mph, and strong energy (1868). Clean, powerful, and excellent for experienced surfers – this is the session to circle.
Monday, August 31st, starts off glassy with a 6ft SW swell, 11 seconds, and light WSW winds – that’s proper clean, but the afternoon turns choppy with cross-onshore winds. Tuesday, September 1st, brings a big increase: 10ft SW swell, 13 seconds, but cross-onshore winds make it a messy one for experts only. The real standout of the whole forecast is Wednesday, September 2nd, morning: 13ft SW swell, 13 seconds, cross-off winds, and massive energy (4411). That’s excellent, powerful surf for experienced surfers only. Thursday, September 3rd, keeps the size with a 10ft SW swell, 12 seconds, and glassy conditions in the morning – another cracker for the crew who know what they’re doing.
After that, the swell drops off. Friday, September 4th, and Saturday, September 5th, offer smaller 5-6ft SSE swells, short period around 8-9 seconds, clean but weak. Energy’s low (499-739). The following week, from September 6th onward, is mostly small and quiet, with a few glassy windows but nothing to get excited about. The 7th and 9th are poor with onshore winds.
Bottom line: the best sessions are Sunday, August 30th, and Wednesday, September 2nd, morning, with Thursday, September 3rd, morning also a top pick. These are the biggest, cleanest, and most powerful swells of the period. Get on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 20°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | WSW 16 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1686 | 1045 | 578 | 525 | 446 | 471 | 455 | 363 | 280 | 553 | 454 | 586 | 778 | 2002 | 1857 | 1602 | 1180 | 799 | 447 | 467 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-off | glassy | on | on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 2:08PM1.31m | 2:13AM1.33m | 2:36PM1.42m | 2:44AM1.41m | 3:04PM1.52m | 3:14AM1.47m | 3:32PM1.59m | 3:44AM1.50m | 4:01PM1.63m | 4:16AM1.50m | 4:31PM1.63m | 4:48AM1.47m | 5:03PM1.59m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:17PM0.34m | 8:27AM0.21m | 8:46PM0.24m | 8:54AM0.14m | 9:15PM0.16m | 9:21AM0.09m | 9:44PM0.10m | 9:49AM0.07m | 10:14PM0.07m | 10:18AM0.07m | 10:45PM0.07m | 10:48AM0.11m | 11:18PM0.11m | |||||||
 |  | | | |  | |  |  | | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — |
 | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:23 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:27 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 17 | 18 | 24 | 22 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 |
Feels °C | 15 | 14 | 16 | 23 | 22 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | S 11 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 |
| kJ | 1686 | 1045 | 578 | 525 | 446 | 471 | 455 | 363 | 279 | 553 | 454 | 586 | 778 | 2002 | 1857 | 1602 | 1180 | 799 | 447 | 467 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | S 7 | S 8 | S 11 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | S 10 | S 10 | WSW 16 | SW 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | — | S 10 | SW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 |
| kJ | 146 | 163 | 130 | 289 | 328 | 256 | 186 | 138 | 121 | 171 | 96 | 211 | 281 | 22 | 11 | — | 2 | 144 | 379 | 270 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 13 | SSW 11 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | — | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 16 | — | WSW 17 | S 10 | S 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 154 | 143 | 357 | 191 | — | 26 | 126 | 280 | — | 117 | 77 | 59 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 6 | SSE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 3 | SSW 4 | — | — | — | S 10 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 167 | 265 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 5 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 4 |
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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