Surf Forecasts:
Big Bay surf forecast from 26 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 28 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 15s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 27 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, SSW swell with 6,514 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 26 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 12s 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 Sunday (Jul 26) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 15s. 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 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 27) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 6s period and expected on Monday (Jul 27) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5PM (Sun 26th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Tue 28th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Mon 27th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Big Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about the surf for the next 16 days around our break.
Our main spot is Big Bay. It’s an exposed southwest swell magnet, and the water is sitting at 57°F, which is about 3°F colder than it should be for this time of year. A bit of a chill in the air.
We kick off with a proper start. Sunday the 26th is glassy in the morning with a 7ft southwest swell, 12-second period, and the combined energy is strong at 1398. That’s for the experienced crew. The afternoon stays clean with a light cross-off wind. Good day.
Monday the 27th the swell jumps to 8ft with a 16-second period – that’s real groundswell energy (3438). But the wind is moderate to strong cross-off, gets a bit messy. Still rideable, but you’ll earn it.
Now, Tuesday the 28th is the one to circle. 8ft southwest swell, 14-second period, and the wind is offshore and light at 9 mph. The energy is solid (2533), but the waves will be clean and lined up. This is the morning to get wet.
We drop down through Wednesday and Thursday to around 5ft to 6ft, still clean but losing steam. Friday the 31st and Saturday the 1st of August are small, with a glassy Saturday afternoon that’s perfect for a log.
Sunday the 2nd of August gets lumpy with cross-onshore wind. Not great.
Then we get a second wind. Monday the 3rd and Tuesday the 4th of August bring glassy mornings and a consistent 6ft southwest swell. The energy is moderate but clean (1343). Worth getting up for.
Wednesday the 5th of August puts up an 8ft WSW swell, and the afternoon cleans up nicely with a light cross-off wind. A good option for the experienced.
From Thursday the 6th to Saturday the 8th of August, it’s a write-off. Big swell over 8ft, but strong cross-onshore wind makes it ugly and choppy. Combined energy hits 3003, but it’s a frustrating mess. I’d say it’s more of a kite-surfing setup than a paddling one.
We finish strong. Sunday the 9th and Monday the 10th of August return to clean, cross-off winds with a 7ft to 8ft swell. That Monday morning glass-off is the best way to close out the forecast.
If you’ve got a flexible schedule, Tuesday 28th July morning is the top pick for the first week, and Monday 10th August morning is the standout in the second. Don’t sleep on it.
- Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sun afternoon, min 12°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun morning, strong winds from the SSE by Mon afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1172 | 1042 | 734 | 3438 | 3515 | 3144 | 2247 | 2004 | 1367 | 1144 | 976 | 878 | 688 | 643 | 581 | 428 | 319 | 246 | 493 | 430 | 572 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:53PM1.18m | 1:56AM1.25m | 2:29PM1.27m | 2:33AM1.32m | 3:02PM1.36m | 3:06AM1.38m | 3:33PM1.43m | 3:38AM1.41m | 4:03PM1.49m | 4:09AM1.43m | 4:33PM1.52m | 4:41AM1.42m | 5:03PM1.53m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:59PM0.45m | 8:20AM0.30m | 8:36PM0.38m | 8:52AM0.23m | 9:09PM0.31m | 9:22AM0.17m | 9:40PM0.25m | 9:50AM0.13m | 10:11PM0.22m | 10:18AM0.12m | 10:42PM0.20m | 10:47AM0.13m | 11:13PM0.20m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 7:43 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — |
 | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 21 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 18 | 15 | 14 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 26 | 24 |
Feels °C | 17 | 19 | 12 | 11 | 7 | 6 | 11 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 25 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 |
| kJ | 1172 | 1042 | 689 | 3438 | 3515 | 3144 | 2247 | 2004 | 1367 | 1144 | 976 | 878 | 688 | 643 | 581 | 428 | 319 | 246 | 493 | 430 | 572 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 13 | — | — | — | — | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | — | — | — | — | S 7 | S 7 | S 8 | S 8 | S 10 | S 9 |
| kJ | 226 | 220 | 734 | — | — | — | — | 178 | 62 | 35 | 11 | — | — | — | — | 43 | 50 | 61 | 50 | 94 | 42 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 11 | SSW 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 7 | WSW 18 | WSW 15 | SSW 11 | — | SW 21 |
| kJ | — | 20 | 195 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 37 | 30 | 135 | 22 | — | 154 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | S 3 | S 8 | SSE 8 | S 8 | SSE 7 | — | — | — | — | S 3 | S 5 | S 6 | — | — | — | — | — | N 3 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 5 | 852 | 427 | 286 | 311 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 55 | 64 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 221 | 166 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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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