Bonza Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 32.99° S 27.94° E

Bonza Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 23 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Bonza Bay sea temperature is
18.8°C
0.9° 

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 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 26 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, S swell with cross-onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, S swell with 5,106 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 10s period with S 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 9s. 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 3.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 9s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Sun 23rd Aug)5ft (1.5m) 10s
Best Surf 2PM (Wed 26th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 17s
Most Powerful 5PM (Wed 26th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s talk Bonza Bay in feet and miles per hour. Over the next couple weeks, it’s a bit of a rollercoaster, but there’s one morning that’s gonna be worth paddlin’ out for.

Right now, startin’ Sunday the 23rd of August, we’ve got a 8ft SSW swell rollin’ in, period about 10 seconds, and the combined energy is solid at 1523 (moderate). Problem is, the wind’s cross-shore from the SW at 12 mph, so it’s lumpy. The water temp’s about 66°, which is normal for this time of year – nothin’ wild. That morning’s not worth it, and the afternoon’s smaller and onshore.

Monday the 24th is tiny – 3ft from the south, short period, cross-onshore wind. Tuesday the 25th has a 5ft SSW groundswell with a long 16-second period, energy 1146 (moderate). The wind’s cross-shore from the SW at 9 mph, but it’s still a bit bumpy. That long period means better-shaped waves at the river mouth, but the cross-chop is there. It’s okay, nothin’ special.

Wednesday the 26th brings a 8ft south swell with a 17-second period – that’s a very long groundswell. Energy’s huge at 3364 (strong). But the wind’s cross-onshore from the east at 9 mph, and by afternoon it’s 10ft with 16 mph onshore. That’s too big for beginners and messy for everyone. That long period at a beach setup will break straight and close out. Thursday the 27th is a total write-off with 25–28 mph cross-shore winds. Avoid it.

Now Friday the 28th of August – this is the one. Morning session has a 6ft easterly swell, 9-second period, combined energy 1164 (moderate). But the wind? Glassy. Dead calm from the NE at just 3 mph. That means Bonza Bay will be clean as glass. The period is short, so waves won’t have long walls, but for a clean, fun session on 6ft waves, it’s the best you’ll get. Crowds are possible, so get there early. This is your standout.

Saturday the 29th has a smaller 4ft east swell with clean cross-off wind, but the afternoon gets blown out. Sunday the 30th into early September is flat – swell drops to 1ft and the wind’s messy. There’s a gap of several days with no decent surf from the 30th through the 4th of September. A few tiny bumps appear but with onshore or strong cross-winds, not worth it.

Monday the 7th of September gives us a 6ft SSW swell with a 12-second period, energy 1025 (moderate). Wind is light from the SSW at 6 mph, so it’s cross-shore but light enough to be cleanish. Could be a session if the tide works, but it’s a long way out and less certain. Not a standout.

Bottom line: set your alarm for Friday the 28th of August, early. Glassy, 6ft east swell, clean at Bonza Bay. The rest is mostly small, choppy, or blown out. Water’s average temp, so a 3/2 or spring suit will do. Stay stoked, Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun morning, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Fri night. Warm (max 30°C on Fri afternoon, min 17°C on Wed morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the ENE on Thu afternoon, calm by Fri morning).

Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
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)
2
1
2
1
1
3
2
2
3
3
0
1
0
0
4
4
1
2
2
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.3
SSW
10
1.6
SSW
10
1.3
S
10
0.9
S
8
0.9
S
11
1.3
SSW
15
1.6
SSW
16
1.7
SSW
16
1.5
SSW
15
2.4
S
17
3
S
17
2.4
S
14
1.9
S
13
1.6
S
12
2.2
E
9
1.3
S
12
1.4
S
12
1.5
E
9
1.3
E
9
0.8
SSE
11
1.7
E
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
983
577
319
112
198
775
1135
1464
898
3364
5106
2093
1178
772
794
497
565
397
300
156
550
Wind (km/h)
20
SW
15
S
5
N
10
S
10
SE
5
W
15
SW
20
SW
10
SW
15
E
25
E
35
NE
40
NE
45
NE
10
NNE
5
NE
20
NE
15
NNE
20
NE
30
ENE
20
NE
Wind State
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
on
glassy
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
glassy
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
High Tide
1:40PM1.43m
1:43AM1.50m
2:17PM1.58m
2:20AM1.63m
2:46PM1.72m
2:50AM1.74m
3:12PM1.84m
3:18AM1.85m
3:38PM1.95m
3:46AM1.93m
4:04PM2.03m
4:14AM1.98m
4:31PM2.09m
4:43AM1.99m
Low Tide
7:39PM0.95m
7:59AM0.79m
8:18PM0.81m
8:30AM0.65m
8:48PM0.68m
8:58AM0.53m
9:16PM0.55m
9:25AM0.43m
9:44PM0.45m
9:52AM0.35m
10:11PM0.37m
10:18AM0.30m
10:39PM0.34m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
light rain
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:37
6:35
6:35
6:33
6:31
6:31
6:30
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:44
5:45
5:45
5:45
5:46
5:47
5:47
 mm
3
1
Temp °C
18
18
17
18
18
17
17
18
17
17
17
17
20
21
21
27
30
30
32
30
24
Feels °C
14
15
17
16
16
17
15
15
15
14
13
12
14
14
19
25
26
26
28
26
21
  • 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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