Surf Forecasts:
Big Wave Bay surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 6s period, E swell with 109 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Big Wave Bay this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Big Wave Bay in the next 16 days are 1.2m 6s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 10s period and expected on Friday (Aug 21) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HKT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Big Wave Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s talk about Big Wave Bay in the next 16 days, and I’ll level with you: it’s looking pretty bleak. The first week is a total loss, and the second week only gives us one tiny window to work with. It’s a long stretch of small, wind-affected surf, so don’t get your hopes up.
The only real chance of a wave comes on Monday, August 31st in the morning. We’ve got a combined swell energy of 103 (moderate energy), with a 3 ft swell from the east at a short 6-second period. The wind is light and offshore from the southwest, so the surface will be clean. This is the only standout in the whole forecast, but it’s a small, weak wave. It’s a beginner-friendly day, but if you’re looking for any power, you’ll be disappointed. The afternoon turns back to a cross-shore wind, so that window is tight.
Before that, from Monday, August 17th through Sunday, August 30th, it’s a flat spell. Swell heights are mostly under 2 ft, and the combined energy only hits triple digits once (111 on Wednesday, August 19th afternoon), but that’s ruined by a fresh cross-onshore wind making it choppy. The wind is the main problem – it’s cross-onshore for the vast majority of the period, creating messy, blown-out conditions. Even the few glassy mornings, like Thursday, August 20th and Friday, August 21st, have tiny swell (3 ft and 1.0 ft) that’s not worth the paddle.
The water temperature is about 84°F at the start, which is normal for this time of year, so at least you won’t freeze while you’re waiting for a wave that isn’t coming.
Bottom line: the only real opportunity is Monday, August 31st morning, and it’s a small, clean beginner wave. The rest of the 16 days is a washout. For a break that’s usually fairly consistent, this is a tough stretch, but it’s part of the game. Forecasts can change, so keep checking back.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Mon night. Warm (max 31°C on Mon afternoon, min 27°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon morning, fresh winds from the ENE by Wed morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 79mm), heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 32°C on Fri afternoon, min 26°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | E 4 | E 4 | E 5 | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | ESE 6 | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | E 5 | ENE 5 | S 10 | S 9 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
5 | 5 | 5 | 15 | 18 | 34 | 50 | 109 | 86 | 49 | 26 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | on |
High Tide | 11:01AM1.26m | 11:39PM1.31m | 11:20AM1.06m | 11:52PM1.41m | 11:39AM0.88m | 00:19AM1.48m | 12:03PM0.75m | 5:53PM0.73m | 00:55AM1.51m | 12:34PM0.63m | 1:42AM1.51m | 1:15PM0.54m | 2:44AM1.50m | 4:11AM1.52m | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:48PM0.47m | 6:28AM0.52m | 6:11PM0.57m | 7:27AM0.53m | 6:30PM0.66m | 8:33AM0.54m | 2:49PM0.67m | 9:46AM0.54m | 3:01PM0.58m | 11:05AM0.50m | 3:17PM0.51m | 12:20PM0.43m | |||||||||
6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | |
— | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:51 | — | — | 6:51 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:49 | — | — | 6:47 | — | |
mm | 3 | 1 | 6 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 5 | — | — | 15 | 3 | — | 54 | 18 | 22 | 8 |
Temp °C | 30 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 31 | 32 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 26 | 27 | 27 |
Feels °C | 35 | 36 | 34 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 35 | 33 | 33 | 36 | 34 | 32 | 35 | 34 | 33 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 9 | S 8 | E 6 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 |
130 | 108 | 97 | 74 | 86 | 86 | 61 | 74 | 69 | 49 | 127 | 111 | 82 | 247 | 223 | 327 | 257 | 225 | 268 | 235 | 189 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | S 8 | ESE 6 | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | E 5 | ENE 5 | — | — | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 |
5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 69 | 26 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 2 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 7 | — | — | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 15 | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | E 4 | E 4 | E 5 | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 15 | 18 | 34 | 50 | 109 | 86 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 6 | 670 | 581 | 581 | 581 | 581 | 581 | 619 | 161 | 6 | 775 | 6 | 144 | 40 | 581 | 6 | 144 | 6 | 581 | 40 | 581 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Hong Kong | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in China | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Big Wave Bay Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Big Wave 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 Wave Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Big Wave 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 Wave 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 Wave 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.
Are you planning a holiday in Hong Kong? If you are looking for accommodation near Big Wave Bay, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Hong Kong, consider staying in Hong Kong which is 9 km (6 miles) away. Other places in and around Hong Kong where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Aberdeen which is 10 km (6 miles) away, Kowloon, Shenzhen and Yantian.











