
Surf Forecasts:
Bonza Bay surf forecast from 4 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 9 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 9s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 18s period, S swell with 4,027 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 9 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 9s period with E 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 (Sep 09) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. 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 2.5m 18s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 9s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Wed 9th Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Wed 9th Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bonza Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for Bonza Bay over the next couple of weeks.
First up, the water temp is sitting at 67°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year – nothin’ weird goin’ on there.
Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you: the first week and a half is a bit of a write-off. We’ve got a big pulse of swell comin’ in right from the start, but it’s gettin’ smashed by onshore winds. Friday morning the 4th sees a solid 12ft S swell with a 10-second period, but that SSE wind at 16 mph is just ruinin’ it. The water’s a mess, and the combined energy is a massive 3856 – there’s power there, but it’s unridable. The wind stays nasty all through the first week, and the swell drops off but never really cleans up. There’s a long stretch here with no real winners.
Now, the 15th of September – Tuesday – that’s where we get our little window. Tuesday morning, we’ve got a 7ft E swell rollin’ in with a 10-second period, and the wind is a light NNE cross-off at 9 mph. That’s a clean look, and the combined energy is 1130, so there’s enough grunt to get a decent wave. This is for the experienced crew – anything over 5ft starts to get a bit much for beginners, and 7ft is solid. This is the best on offer, no question.
Then Tuesday afternoon, it gets even better – the wind drops to next to nothin’, a 3 mph NW glass-off. The swell drops a touch to 6ft, but with that glassy surface, it’ll be smooth as silk. The combined energy is 942. This is your standout session: beautiful conditions for a point break or river mouth session. Just keep an eye on the crowds – Bonza Bay can get a few out there.
The next couple of days after that are a bit iffy again. Wednesday the 16th throws up a massive 12ft SSW swell, but the wind is a messy cross-shore at 19 mph, and the energy is through the roof at 3604. That’s way too big for this break, and the wind is no friend. It’s a skip for the paddle crew, but maybe a kite surfer’s dream.
So, bottom line: if you’ve got the skills, mark the 15th of September on your calendar. Tuesday morning and especially Tuesday afternoon are your best bets by a long shot. The rest of the window is pretty grim, but that one day is a proper gem.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 15°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Wed morning, min 18°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the ENE on Mon afternoon, light winds from the WSW by Wed night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 8 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 23 | SSW 21 | S 17 | S 15 | S 12 | S 12 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SSW 15 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
2076 | 1203 | 629 | 403 | 291 | 326 | 483 | 1331 | 3678 | 1415 | 403 | 276 | 432 | 494 | 529 | 484 | 22 | 683 | 414 | 354 | 306 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:39PM1.51m | 9:44AM1.36m | 10:55PM1.43m | 12:10PM1.43m | 00:47AM1.52m | 1:25PM1.62m | 1:47AM1.67m | 2:12PM1.81m | 2:31AM1.81m | 2:51PM1.97m | 3:07AM1.91m | 3:25PM2.08m | 3:40AM1.98m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:55PM0.83m | 3:05AM0.92m | 3:53PM0.97m | 5:44AM0.92m | 6:35PM0.89m | 7:13AM0.77m | 7:44PM0.71m | 8:01AM0.60m | 8:28PM0.54m | 8:38AM0.45m | 9:04PM0.41m | 9:11AM0.34m | 9:36PM0.32m | ||||||||
6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | |
— | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 26 | 23 | 23 | 30 | 26 | 24 | 21 | 20 | 20 |
Feels °C | 11 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 17 | 24 | 21 | 22 | 29 | 25 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 8 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 21 | S 17 | S 15 | S 12 | S 12 | E 9 | S 11 | E 9 | E 9 | SSE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
1773 | 1203 | 629 | 403 | 291 | 326 | 204 | 1331 | 3678 | 1415 | 403 | 276 | 432 | 155 | 529 | 484 | 20 | 683 | 414 | 354 | 306 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | E 10 | S 15 | S 12 | E 10 | SE 7 | SSW 23 | S 10 | — | — | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 11 | S 17 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | SSW 11 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSE 12 | SSW 15 |
98 | 48 | 104 | 110 | 33 | 62 | 483 | 161 | — | — | 346 | 139 | 157 | 6 | 31 | 41 | 12 | 47 | 42 | 14 | 125 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 19 | S 17 | ENE 10 | E 10 | S 15 | S 28 | SSE 13 | S 13 | — | — | — | — | SSW 13 | SW 17 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 15 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSW 11 | SW 4 |
7 | 22 | 32 | 32 | 17 | 15 | 35 | 123 | — | — | — | — | 66 | 11 | 54 | 22 | 22 | 9 | 9 | 13 | 6 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | SSE 9 | — | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 10 | E 7 | E 5 | E 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SW 4 | SW 5 | SW 4 |
2076 | 940 | — | 364 | 232 | 122 | 135 | 83 | 197 | 408 | 623 | 574 | 699 | 494 | 858 | 917 | 599 | 1292 | 4 | 5 | 17 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1121 | 904 | 468 | 455 | 883 | 124 | 455 | 455 | 455 | 468 | 439 | 99 | 19 | 476 | 120 | 54 | 238 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 23 |
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.










