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Big Bay surfForecast / Cape Town / South Africa
Forecast update in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Big Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Big Bay sea temperature is
15.8° C
(Which is 3.3°C colder than average for this time of year)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 Monday (Mar 23) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 16s. Another secondary swell of 1.7m 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 3.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Mar 23) 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 1.6m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Mar 22) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Mon 23rd Mar) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Mon 23rd Mar) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Mon 23rd Mar) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Big Bay over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Short Range Forecast Some drizzle, heaviest during Tue afternoon. Warm (max 31°C on Tue afternoon, min 16°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSE on Sun night, light winds from the SSE by Tue morning). | Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Fri morning, min 17°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Sun 22 | Monday 23 | Tuesday 24 | Wednesday 25 | Thursday 26 | Friday 27 | Saturday 28 | |||||||||||||||||
| PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |||
Rating (10 max) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wave Height (m) & direction (?) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Period(s) (?) | 11 | 11 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 12 | 9 | 16 | 14 | 10 | 11 | 10 | ||
Wave (?)Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 447 | 521 | 2491 | 2243 | 1487 | 1030 | 1100 | 734 | 625 | 503 | 247 | 424 | 392 | 165 | 161 | 106 | 140 | 256 | 540 | 1054 | 825 | |||
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wind State (?) onshore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore offshore glassy | cross- off | cross- off | cross- off | cross- off | off | cross- off | on | cross- on | cross- on | on | glass | glass | cross | cross- off | on | cross- on | cross- on | on | on | cross- on | on | ||
High Tide / height (m) | 5:31PM 1.44 | 5:46AM 1.51 | 6:15PM 1.32 | 6:33AM 1.35 | 7:10PM 1.18 | 7:37AM 1.18 | 8:37PM 1.07 | 9:23AM 1.07 | 10:41PM 1.07 | 11:23AM 1.09 | 12:10AM 1.19 | 12:37PM 1.20 | 1:04AM 1.33 | 1:26PM 1.30 | |||||||||
Low Tide / height (m) | 11:31PM 0.18 | 12:04PM 0.18 | 12:15AM 0.31 | 12:54PM 0.33 | 1:14AM 0.46 | 2:07PM 0.47 | 2:53AM 0.58 | 4:07PM 0.54 | 5:12AM 0.56 | 5:51PM 0.47 | 6:34AM 0.43 | 6:51PM 0.35 | 7:25AM 0.29 | ||||||||||
Sun 22 | Monday 23 | Tuesday 24 | Wednesday 25 | Thursday 26 | Friday 27 | Saturday 28 | |||||||||||||||||
| Sunrise | - | - | 6:50 | - | - | 6:50 | - | - | 6:52 | - | - | 6:52 | - | - | 6:54 | - | - | 6:54 | - | - | 6:54 | ||
| Sunset | 6:54 | - | - | 6:53 | - | - | 6:52 | - | - | 6:51 | - | - | 6:50 | - | - | 6:47 | - | - | 6:46 | - | - | ||
Rain (mm) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| Temp. °C | 21 | 18 | 23 | 29 | 24 | 28 | 31 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 23 | 22 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 20 | ||
| Feels °C (?) | 17 | 13 | 20 | 26 | 20 | 28 | 31 | 21 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 18 | 17 | 23 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 19 | ||
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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.












