
Surf Forecasts:
Bonza Bay surf forecast from 6 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 11 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 11s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 10 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, SSE swell with 1,820 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 6 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 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 (Aug 06) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 10s. 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 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 10) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.3m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 13) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Thu 6th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Tue 11th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Mon 10th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bonza Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Lookin’ at the next 16 days for Bonza Bay, it’s a bit of a mixed bag, but there’s a couple of windows that’ll have you paddling out with a grin. The water’s a bit colder than normal for this time of year, sittin’ at 64°, so grab a thicker spring suit or a steamer if you’ve got one.
Our first real chance to get wet comes in on Saturday, 8th August, in the morning. It’s not huge—4 ft from the SSW—but that 14-second period means there’s some proper groundswell energy in the water (moderate energy at 700). The kicker? Glassy conditions, not a breath of wind. That’s a major positive, mate. The waves will be clean and lined up, perfect for an intermediate session. The break is fairly consistent, so you won’t be waiting forever between sets, but crowds are possible, so get in early.
The following Tuesday morning, 12th August, is a curiosity. The swell is tiny at 2 ft from the SSW, but the period is a staggering 23 seconds—that’s a very long-period groundswell. The energy is still moderate (1050), but with that kind of period, Bonza Bay, being a river mouth, could actually handle it better than a beach break. It’s a marginal call, but worth a look if you’re keen on a glassy, clean-ish morning with that long, lully energy.
Then we jump ahead to Tuesday, 18th August, in the morning. Swell bumps up to 5 ft from the east, 9-second period, with glassy conditions again. The energy is moderate (436), and it’s a solid “good surf” call. This is for the intermediates, as 5 ft is the top end for beginners. The next morning, Wednesday, 19th August, is also glassy, with a smaller 3 ft east swell—ideal for a relaxed session on the longboard.
Overall, the standout is Saturday morning, 8th August. That glassy, 4 ft SSW groundswell is the pick of the bunch. The rest of the forecast is mostly blown out by cross-shore or cross-onshore winds, or chopped up with lumpy conditions. You’ll have a few gaps of a couple of days with nothing worth paddling out for, but those two or three mornings will make it worth keeping an eye on the forecast.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 23°C on Sat morning, min 15°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 39mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun morning, min 13°C on Sun afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Sun morning, calm by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSW 11 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | SSW 23 | E 7 | E 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
246 | 724 | 538 | 379 | 367 | 696 | 565 | 384 | 357 | 1008 | 265 | 1645 | 1346 | 567 | 356 | 1081 | 848 | 341 | 362 | 436 | 567 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:25AM1.52m | 9:12PM1.64m | 9:56AM1.42m | 10:53PM1.58m | 11:56AM1.45m | 00:35AM1.63m | 1:23PM1.59m | 1:46AM1.74m | 2:20PM1.77m | 2:38AM1.86m | 3:06PM1.93m | 3:21AM1.96m | 3:45PM2.06m | 4:00AM2.01m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:26PM0.80m | 3:40AM0.90m | 3:57PM0.91m | 5:38AM0.90m | 6:03PM0.90m | 7:10AM0.79m | 7:32PM0.77m | 8:08AM0.63m | 8:29PM0.62m | 8:52AM0.49m | 9:14PM0.49m | 9:30AM0.38m | 9:53PM0.40m | ||||||||
6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | |
— | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | |
mm | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 13 | 14 | 3 | — | 4 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 23 | 20 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 |
Feels °C | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 22 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | E 7 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | E 10 | SSW 13 | E 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | S 14 | S 13 | ESE 6 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 18 |
120 | 724 | 538 | 379 | 367 | 696 | 135 | 384 | 357 | 68 | 265 | 29 | 1346 | 567 | 319 | 1081 | 848 | 177 | 195 | 151 | 286 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | SSW 14 | E 7 | E 9 | SE 8 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | ESE 9 | E 9 | S 12 | SW 23 | SSW 21 | S 10 |
246 | 90 | 90 | 64 | 61 | 43 | 565 | 96 | 85 | 16 | 43 | 48 | 26 | 233 | 356 | 300 | 42 | 341 | 138 | 176 | 50 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | — | S 18 | NE 7 | NE 7 | — | — | — | ESE 8 | — | SE 8 | — | SSW 14 | E 10 | SSW 14 | E 10 | — | S 7 | SSW 23 | S 10 | SW 11 |
11 | — | 6 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | 24 | — | 9 | — | 69 | 33 | 276 | 51 | — | 39 | 362 | 73 | 29 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 6 | — | — | — | E 2 | ENE 5 | — | SSW 4 | SW 6 | SSW 14 | SSW 7 | S 9 | — | — | — | — | ESE 8 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | E 7 | E 8 |
73 | — | — | — | 1 | 80 | — | 10 | 47 | 1008 | 265 | 1645 | — | — | — | — | 178 | 273 | 355 | 436 | 567 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 52 | 440 | 21 | 52 | 492 | 99 | 0 | 129 | 4 | 129 | 2996 | 476 | 301 | 52 | 0 | 192 | 237 | 190 | 321 | 492 | 24 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape - Wild Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











