Surf Forecasts:
Big Bay surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 13 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 20s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 17s period, WSW swell with 2,998 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 18s 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 Wednesday (Aug 12) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 10s. 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 2.2m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 13) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5PM (Wed 12th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 20s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Big Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s take a good, hard look at what’s cooking.
The first real surfable pulse hits Big Bay on Wednesday the 12th of August. It’s a solid start with a clean 1.8m SW swell, a long 18-second period, and light east winds keeping it glassy. The water’s sitting at 13°, which is nearly 3° colder than normal for this time of year, so that’s a serious chill factor. The combined energy is ripping at (2107). This is proper groundswell, so that long period will make the lines hold up well here, though it might link up a bit straight for a beach break setup. It’s for experienced surfers only—size and power are up.
Thursday morning the 13th sees the swell bump up to 2.2m from the WSW, but the wind goes cross-shore and it gets a bit messy. Not the best. Afternoon goes onshore, so we lose the quality. Friday and into the weekend are a mixed bag of cross-onshore and onshore winds with moderate swell. Nothing that gets the heart racing.
Then we get a real standout. Saturday morning the 15th of August. Glassy conditions with a light SE breeze, 1.8m of clean WSW swell (13-second period). The combined energy is (1158), and it’s glassy as a mirror. This is a prime window for a clean session if you can get out there early. The water will still be cold, but the conditions are right.
Sunday morning the 16th is a write-off with cross-onshore wind, but Monday the 17th brings another highlight. By Monday morning, the swell is up to 2.5m from the WSW, 13-second period, and the wind swings to a light S cross-offshore breeze, keeping it clean. The energy is pumping at (2279). This one is for experienced surfers only—that’s a solid wave. The afternoon holds the same quality.
We go through a few days of so-so conditions, but the real top shelf comes on Sunday the 23rd of August. The morning starts with a 2.1m SW groundswell, long 18-second period, a light ESE offshore wind, and a combined energy of (4452). Then the afternoon cranks: 3.5m SW swell, 17-second period, light S cross-off wind, and a combined energy of (6273). This is an exceptional window for experts only. Big, powerful, long-period swell that will be heavy and demanding. For anyone else, it’s a spectator session.
The Monday the 24th starts with another solid 2.5m SW swell (15-second period) and clean winds, but then the quality drops off again as the wind shifts. The last few days taper down with smaller swell and onshore or cross-onshore wind.
So, if you’re an experienced surfer, the clear standout is Sunday the 23rd of August. That afternoon session is an absolute monster. For a cleaner, slightly smaller but still excellent window, Saturday morning the 15th and Monday the 17th are your best bets. Crowds are often at Big Bay, so expect company for the good ones.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | ||||||||||||||
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 18 | SW 16 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1952 | 1916 | 2998 | 2262 | 1663 | 1275 | 1257 | 1059 | 1144 | 1306 | 1286 | 1190 | 1644 | 2383 | 2279 | 2116 | 1442 | 1163 | 936 | 408 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | cross | on | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-off | glassy | cross | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:13PM1.62m | 3:29AM1.57m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:27PM0.05m | 9:40AM-0.01m | 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 | |||||||
 |  | | | | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — |
 | 6:14 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:17 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 20 | 22 | 27 | 21 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 18 | 16 | 19 | 22 | 18 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 16 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 |
| kJ | 1952 | 1916 | 2998 | 2262 | 1663 | 1275 | 1257 | 1059 | 1144 | 1306 | 1286 | 1190 | 1644 | 2383 | 2279 | 2116 | 1442 | 1163 | 936 | 408 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | SW 21 | — | — | — | — | WNW 5 | W 5 | W 5 | WSW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | SW 13 | — | — | — | SW 11 |
| kJ | 90 | 898 | — | — | — | — | 15 | 20 | 14 | 37 | — | — | — | — | — | 577 | — | — | — | 198 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 10 | SE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 65 | 65 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SE 10 | — | NNW 5 | — | NW 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 4 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 48 | — | 15 | — | 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 2 | 29 | 0 | 4 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50 |
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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