Big Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.79° S 18.46° E

Big Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 24 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Big Bay sea temperature is
13.2°C
2.4° 

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 24 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 25 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 14s period, SW swell with 2,350 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 25 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 14s 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 Tuesday (Aug 25) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.4m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 11s. 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 2.4m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Tue 25th Aug)8ft (2.4m) 14s
Best Surf 5AM (Tue 25th Aug)8ft (2.4m) 14s
Most Powerful 5AM (Tue 25th Aug)8ft (2.4m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking for Big Bay.

Alright, we’re seeing a bit of a slow start, but overall the 16-day window has some real potential, especially later on. The water is sitting at 56°F, which is 4° colder than you’d expect for this time of year – that’s a notable chill, so you’ll want the thick rubber if you’re heading out.

Things kick off on Monday the 24th with some small 4ft swell from the WSW, but it’s a bit cross-off and the energy is moderate at 849. It’s a bit marginal for a full recommendation. We get a better pulse rolling in on Tuesday morning the 25th with 7ft of SW groundswell (14-second period) and a solid amount of energy behind it at 1949. The wind is cross-off, so it’ll be clean, but the forecast flags some questionable tide conditions, so pick your session.

The standout of the first week looks like Wednesday the 26th. We’ve got 5ft of WSW swell in the morning, dropping to 4ft in the afternoon, but the wind is offshore from the ESE, light, and glassy. That’s a major positive. The energy is moderate (997 dropping to 790), but with those clean conditions, it’ll be your best bet for a fun, user-friendly wave at Big Bay. This is for the intermediate crew; a solid choice.

Thursday the 27th and Friday the 28th see the swell drop off and the winds get messy or light. Not much to write home about. Saturday the 29th stays poor with lumpy onshore wind, and Sunday the 30th sees a big jump in size to 8ft from the WSW, but the onshore wind makes it ugly and choppy – that’s expert territory with bad conditions, so I’d sit that one out.

Monday the 31st has a bit more promise with 7ft of SW swell and clean cross-off winds, but then the start of September gets real rowdy. Tuesday the 1st has a 10ft swell but it’s onshore and rough. Wednesday the 2nd gets even bigger with 12ft, but again, poor conditions – this looks more like a kite-surfing setup with that strong cross-onshore wind and lumpy sea.

Now, the real gem of the entire outlook shows its face on the 4th of September – Friday. We’ve got a solid 12ft of SSE swell in the morning (dropping to 10ft in the arvo) with a short period of 9 seconds. That’s a lot of water moving, and the energy is strong at 2268-2026. The wind is offshore from the ESE, light and clean. This is a big, powerful wave, strictly for experienced surfers only. If you’ve got the skill and the nerve, this is your window. The conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers.

Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th of September keep the goodness going with clean, offshore wind and solid 6ft to 8ft SSW swell. Very clean, very good. The following Monday the 7th drops back in size but still has that lovely long-period groundswell (14-15 seconds) from the WSW and SW, with clean conditions again.

So, to sum it up: early window is slow, but Wednesday the 26th is the pick for a fun, clean, manageable wave. If you’re an expert, circle Friday the 4th of September on the calendar – that’s the big, clean swell you’ve been waiting for. The second week from the 4th onwards is looking consistently good, so stay optimistic.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sun morning. Warm (max 23°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light.

Mon
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
3
3
4
3
3
3
2
2
3
3
3
3
0
1
3
1
1
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
WSW
11
1.7
SW
14
2.2
SW
14
2.1
WSW
14
1.8
WSW
13
1.5
WSW
13
1.3
WSW
12
1.3
SSW
11
1.3
SSW
11
1.3
SSW
11
1
S
11
0.8
WSW
16
1.2
WSW
14
1.2
WSW
13
1.2
WSW
13
1.2
WSW
15
2.5
WSW
14
2.5
WSW
13
2.5
WSW
12
2.3
WSW
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
376
1187
1949
1710
1151
711
525
430
401
387
244
284
519
484
440
679
2227
1974
1680
1291
Wind (km/h)
20
SSE
15
SSE
15
SSE
25
SSE
15
SE
15
ESE
10
ESE
10
ENE
10
NW
5
WNW
10
SE
10
SSE
10
SSE
5
E
15
N
15
WNW
10
NNW
15
WSW
20
WNW
5
SE
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-on
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
off
High Tide
1:40AM1.24m
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
Low Tide
7:45PM0.45m
7:59AM0.30m
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
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:13
7:11
7:11
7:09
7:09
7:07
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:22
6:22
6:22
6:23
6:24
6:24
6:25
 mm
1
3
Temp °C
16
12
15
19
16
17
24
21
21
21
17
20
22
20
23
23
15
13
15
14
Feels °C
13
9
11
15
13
14
22
20
19
18
16
18
19
18
19
19
15
12
12
12
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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