Bonza Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 32.99° S 27.94° E

Bonza Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 am 23 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Bonza Bay sea temperature is
17.2° C
2.9° 

Bonza Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Bonza Bay surf forecast from 23 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 16s period, S swell with 2,447 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 24 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period with SSW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Bonza Bay this week:

The surf forecast for Bonza Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 2.3m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 12s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Bonza Bay in the next 16 days are 2.2m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 26) at 8PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Fri 24th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 11s
Best Surf 2AM (Fri 24th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 11s
Most Powerful 5PM (Fri 24th Jul)7ft (2.2m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, it’s Rusty. Let’s talk about Bonza Bay. This is a river-mouth setup, and it’s got a bit of a mixed bag ahead. The water temperature is sitting at 63°, which is a full 5° colder than normal for this time of year – that’s well outside the usual range, so you’ll want a solid wetsuit if you’re paddling out.

The first proper surf to get excited about is Friday morning, July 24. There’s a good pulse of swell coming in at 8ft from the SSW, with a period of 12 seconds and a combined energy of 3380 (moderate to strong). The wind is WSW at 12 mph, blowing cross-offshore, which is keeping things clean. This is a solid size – probably too much for beginners, but for the experienced crew, it’s offering some real power. The wave state is clean, and the wind is a moderate breeze.

Saturday morning, July 25, is a true standout. We’ve got 4ft of SSW swell with a 14-second period, giving a combined energy of 951 (moderate). The wind is dead calm – glassy. That’s about as good as it gets for clean conditions. The swell is a bit smaller, but the long period groundswell means the waves will have shape and energy, and the glassy surface will make it look like a mirror. The break is fairly consistent here, so you won’t be waiting too long. Crowds are possible – it’s a spot that can get busy. If you can get out early, you’ll be rewarded.

After that, from Sunday afternoon through to the end of the first week, the surf turns messy. Winds pick up, swells get longer but less reliable, and the quality drops. There’s a gap of several days with no real recommendations.

We get a flicker of hope on Tuesday morning, August 4. The swell is only 4ft from the east, with a 10-second period, but the wind is light from the north at 6 mph and cross-offshore, giving clean conditions. The combined energy is 584 (moderate). It’s not a big day, but it’s worth a look if you’re keen.

The second week holds some promise, but it’s less certain. Wednesday morning, August 5, has 5ft from the SSW at 16 seconds, with a combined energy of 1718 (moderate to strong). The wind is a moderate cross-shore from the SW at 16 mph, so it’s not pristine, but the long-period groundswell will have some punch. Friday, August 7, also sees a clean cross-offshore wind from the WSW, but the swell is only 3ft, so it’s a small one for the patient surfer.

The standout here is definitely Saturday morning, July 25, for the glassy conditions and the long-period south swell. Friday morning, July 24, is the other one for the bigger wave riders who don’t mind a bit of size.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Thu night, calm by Sat morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 25mm), heaviest during Tue afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Sun morning). Mainly fresh winds.

Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
!
4
3
4
3
1
2
1
0
4
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
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
SSW
12
1.2
SSW
12
3
SSW
11
2.5
SSW
12
2.2
S
16
1.5
SSW
15
1.3
SSW
14
1.1
SSW
14
1.2
SSW
13
1.1
SSW
12
0.7
S
16
1.1
SW
14
0.9
SSW
13
0.8
SSW
12
0.9
SSW
14
2.3
S
9
2.5
SSE
8
2.2
SE
8
2.5
SE
8
2.5
SE
9
2.1
ESE
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
447
418
2415
1747
2447
936
651
485
523
379
254
476
289
192
366
780
885
624
868
895
691
Wind (km/h)
15
SW
25
SW
30
WSW
20
WSW
10
SW
10
NNW
0
S
15
ENE
15
NNE
20
NE
30
NE
10
N
25
SW
25
SW
10
SSW
20
SE
25
SE
20
E
25
E
35
E
35
ENE
Wind State
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
10:41AM1.36m
11:31PM1.50m
12:30PM1.39m
00:52AM1.53m
1:41PM1.48m
1:48AM1.61m
2:28PM1.59m
2:30AM1.69m
3:03PM1.70m
3:04AM1.77m
3:34PM1.80m
3:36AM1.84m
4:03PM1.89m
4:06AM1.90m
Low Tide
4:32PM1.01m
6:10AM0.99m
6:18PM1.01m
7:23AM0.90m
7:32PM0.94m
8:10AM0.79m
8:21PM0.85m
8:46AM0.68m
8:59PM0.76m
9:18AM0.58m
9:33PM0.67m
9:48AM0.50m
10:04PM0.59m
cloud
clear
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
light rain
light rain
heavy rain
mod rain
light rain
cloud
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:05
7:03
7:03
7:03
7:03
7:01
7:01
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:23
5:23
5:24
5:25
5:25
5:27
5:28
 mm
7
2
1
2
2
13
8
3
1
Temp °C
18
19
17
16
17
16
16
17
16
18
21
19
21
20
19
18
15
16
17
17
17
Feels °C
16
16
9
12
13
15
15
15
13
13
15
15
16
15
16
15
10
12
12
11
10
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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 Bonza Bay Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Bonza Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Bonza Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Bonza 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 (Bonza 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 Bonza 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.

Bonza Bay is 7 km (4 miles) from the city of East London. If you plan a holiday in Eastern Cape - Wild Coast, look for hotels and other accommodation in East London. East London has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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