Bonza Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 32.99° S 27.94° E

Bonza Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 22 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Bonza Bay sea temperature is
17.1° C
3.0° 

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 22 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, 5AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 11s period, SSW swell with 2,595 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 23 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 13s 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 Thursday (Jul 23) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 12s. 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 3.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.4m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 26) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8AM (Thu 23rd Jul)4.5ft (1.3m) 13s
Best Surf 2AM (Fri 24th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 11s
Most Powerful 5AM (Fri 24th Jul)11ft (3.5m) 11s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve got the latest look at what’s cooking for Bonza Bay. We’ve got a mixed bag over the next couple of weeks, but there’s definitely some juice on the horizon if you’re patient.

The overall pattern starts with a solid pulse of SSW groundswell, but the wind is going to mess with the quality for a few days. The real standout in the first week is a mid-week window that looks bloody good for experienced surfers. Then, into the second week, we’ve got some promising E swell that could be a treat, but it’s a bit further out, so keep that in mind.

Let’s start with the first recommendation. On Wednesday morning, 22 July, the conditions are prime. The water’s a chilly 63°, which is a whopping 5° colder than normal for this time of year – that’s very unusual, so you’ll want a thick wetsuit. The swell is 4 ft from the SSW with a long 13-second period, giving it good shape and energy (792). The wind is out of the east at 3 mph and glassy. That’s a perfect combo for clean waves at the river mouth.

Now, the stand-out session for the whole forecast. On Tuesday morning, 28 July, Bonza Bay is going to pump. The swell jumps to a solid 8 ft from the S, with a short 9-second period, so it’s windswell, but the energy is massive (2111). The wind is light WSW at 9 mph and cross-offshore, keeping the waves clean. This is excellent surf, but that 8 ft is expert territory – it’s too big for beginners. The period is short, so expect punchy, dumpy waves at the river mouth. Don’t expect any crowds, as it’s usually only “sometimes” busy.

Moving through the rest of the first week, things get messy. Thursday and Friday have cross-shore winds that chop things up. The swell sticks around 3 ft to 4 ft, but the wind is no good. Friday afternoon sees a 8 ft SSW swell with a 16-second period, which is a very long period groundswell. That energy (2534) is strong, but the cross-onshore wind from the S at 6 mph messes it up. For a river mouth, that long period can make the waves break too straight, so it’s a gamble.

The weekend is a write-off. Saturday morning has a nice 4 ft SSW swell (832) but the wind is cross-onshore. Saturday afternoon has 16 mph ENE winds, making it poor. Sunday is even worse with tiny 3 ft to 3 ft swell and strong cross-shore winds.

There’s a bit of a gap for a few days there. Then, on Friday morning, 31 July, we get a little tease. The swell is 4 ft from the SSW (742) with a 14-second period, and the wind is WSW at 9 mph, cross-offshore, so it’s clean. That’s a decent morning session.

Now, into the second week, things look promising. On Sunday morning, 2 August, we’ve got a new swell from the east. It’s 8 ft at 9-second period, so it’s windswell, but the energy is moderate (876). The wind is glassy at 3 mph from the ESE. That’s a clean, fun morning, but it’s big at 8 ft, so it’s pushing into expert territory for the river mouth.

The best bet in the second week, though, is Wednesday morning, 5 August. The swell is 8 ft from the east with an 11-second period, which is a nice groundswell. The energy is strong (1299), and the wind is glassy at 3 mph from the SSW. That’s a gorgeous morning for experienced surfers – clean, powerful waves. The east swell is coming from the optimum direction for Bonza Bay, so it should line up well at the river mouth.

After that, Thursday and Friday get messy again with strong winds and lumpy conditions. The swell drops to 6 ft to 7 ft from the SSW, but the wind is up to 25 mph, making it a mess.

Overall, the standout is the Tuesday morning, 28 July session for experts, and the Wednesday morning, 5 August session is a solid backup. The first week has a beauty of a morning on Wednesday, 22 July, if you want a glassy start. For the rest, just pick your windows wisely.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 21°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Sat morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Thu night, light winds from the ESE by Fri night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Wed
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
1
0
!
4
2
4
2
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
2
!
!
!
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
SE
12
1.1
SSW
12
1.2
SSW
12
1
S
12
3
SSW
11
2.5
SSW
12
2.3
SSW
16
1.5
SSW
15
1.3
SSW
14
1.1
SSW
14
1.2
SSW
13
1
SSW
12
0.8
SSW
12
0.5
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
13
0.9
SSW
13
0.6
SSW
15
3
SSE
9
4
SSE
9
3.5
SE
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
282
386
447
276
1710
1900
2491
936
660
492
523
318
195
121
249
231
172
1183
2395
2238
Wind (km/h)
10
SSW
20
WSW
15
SW
25
SW
35
WSW
25
WSW
15
SSW
10
N
10
ENE
25
ENE
25
NE
20
NE
25
NE
5
NNW
20
SW
20
SW
10
W
10
SW
10
ESE
10
N
Wind State
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
10:02PM1.54m
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
Low Tide
3:07PM0.92m
4:27AM1.01m
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
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<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
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:22
5:23
5:23
5:24
5:25
5:25
5:27
 mm
3
1
Temp °C
21
17
17
19
17
16
17
16
15
17
16
19
22
20
21
21
18
19
21
19
Feels °C
18
14
15
16
10
10
12
14
12
13
12
14
17
17
17
18
18
19
22
19
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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