
Surf Forecasts:
Bonza Bay surf forecast from 29 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 29 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 8s period, ESE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 2 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 12s period, ESE swell with 1,185 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 29 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 8s period with ESE 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 Wednesday (Jul 29) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 14s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Bonza Bay in the next 16 days are 2.1m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 9s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Wed 29th Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Wed 29th Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bonza Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here, let's check out what Bonza Bay is cooking up for us.
The start is a bit slow. Wednesday the 29th kicks off with waist-high swell around 6ft from the ESE, but the light cross-on breeze messes with the surface, and the energy is there at 1007, though it's just marginal. Thursday the 30th and Friday the 31st are pretty average—similar size swell, but the wind gets stronger and more side-shore, making for choppy, lumpy conditions. The energy drops off too, from 1004 down to 620 by Friday arvo. Saturday the 1st of August is a write-off with a fresh cross-shore wind hitting 18 mph; the surf is just messy.
Sunday the 2nd sees a pulse of longer-period swell, 7ft at 11 seconds from the ESE, with a solid 1276 of energy by the afternoon. It's got some punch, but the wind is still side-shore, so expect a cross-chop. Monday the 3rd is similar energy, around 7ft, but with the same side-shore problem.
The first real standout is Tuesday the 4th of August. The swell drops to a cleaner 4ft from the East, but the wind goes glassy offshore from the NNW. That’s smooth, clean conditions, with a moderate energy of 510. This is the best call early on for some clean, user-friendly waves.
We then hit a quiet spell. The surf dips below 3ft on the 5th, and it’s not until Thursday the 6th that we see something interesting. A long-period groundswell from the SSW arrives at 4ft with a period of 14 seconds and a glassy NNW wind—another clean window, but the swell is small. The energy reading is 671.
The big one to watch is Wednesday the 12th of August. A massive 10ft SW swell rolls in with a period of 11 seconds and a combined energy reading of 3320. The wind is glassy, but mate, this is too big for Bonza Bay. It’s a river break, and that kind of juice will make it a washing machine. This one is for the experts only. The rest of the second week sees moderate swell but with strong cross and side-shore winds, so the quality is inconsistent.
So, for the everyday surfer, get on Tuesday the 4th for the cleanest, most manageable waves. If you’re an expert looking for a challenge, the 12th could be your deal, but be ready for some serious power.
Catch you in the water.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, fresh winds from the NE by Sat morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ESE 10 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
474 | 537 | 601 | 614 | 572 | 469 | 422 | 424 | 385 | 614 | 938 | 1081 | 1176 | 794 | 867 | 769 | 627 | 356 | 263 | 135 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | off | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:03PM1.89m | 4:06AM1.90m | 4:31PM1.95m | 4:36AM1.93m | 5:00PM1.99m | 5:06AM1.93m | 5:29PM2.01m | 5:37AM1.91m | 6:01PM2.00m | 6:10AM1.85m | 6:35PM1.95m | 6:46AM1.76m | 7:15PM1.87m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:04PM0.59m | 10:16AM0.44m | 10:34PM0.54m | 10:45AM0.41m | 11:04PM0.51m | 11:14AM0.40m | 11:35PM0.50m | 11:43AM0.43m | 00:08AM0.54m | 12:14PM0.48m | 00:45AM0.60m | 12:49PM0.56m | 1:26AM0.69m | |||||||
— | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | |
5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | |
mm | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 20 | 22 | 19 | 26 | 29 | 20 |
Feels °C | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 21 | 25 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SSW 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ESE 10 |
474 | 537 | 601 | 614 | 572 | 469 | 422 | 424 | 385 | 28 | 938 | 1081 | 1176 | 794 | 551 | 573 | 533 | 356 | 263 | 135 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | S 10 | SW 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | ENE 9 |
172 | 492 | 395 | 390 | 312 | 281 | 145 | 86 | 31 | 71 | 23 | 34 | 18 | 46 | 123 | 113 | 96 | 56 | 53 | 101 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 16 | — | — | SW 16 | S 14 | S 13 | SSW 14 | S 9 | S 10 | S 13 | — | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 6 |
361 | — | — | — | — | — | 49 | — | — | 10 | 4 | 13 | 21 | 16 | 8 | 4 | — | 272 | 187 | 26 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 3 | NNE 3 | NE 4 | E 9 | NNE 4 | NE 4 | NE 5 | NNE 5 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | — | SSW 4 | SW 6 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 2 | 18 | 614 | 11 | 27 | 61 | 32 | 867 | 769 | 627 | — | 7 | 62 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 23 | 0 | 22 | 53 | 18 | 468 | 492 | 21 | 237 | 404 | 34 | 214 | 249 | 24 | 99 | 255 | 24 | 24 | 0 | 25 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape - Wild Coast | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.










