Surf Forecasts:
Bonza Bay surf forecast from 25 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 26 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 17s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, S swell with 4,554 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 25 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 15s 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 Tuesday (Aug 25) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be offshore 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 2PM. 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 Thursday (Aug 27) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Tue 25th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (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. Look, I’ve been staring at the charts for Bonza Bay and I gotta be straight with you – the next sixteen days are a real mixed bag, but there’s a couple of golden windows if you’re patient. We’ve got a long stretch of poor to marginal conditions kicking things off, but the swell energy is going to be cranking at times, especially towards the end of the first week and into the second.
We start off with a bit of a dud. Tuesday afternoon the 25th of August – the swell is there at 6 ft from the SSW, with a solid 16-second period, giving us a massive 1598 (moderate) combined energy. But the wind is a cross-shore from the southwest at 12 mph, and it’s choppy. The water is sitting at 67°, which is about normal for this time of year, so no surprises there. Honestly, it’s a write-off. Wednesday the 26th looks even worse – the swell jumps to 8 ft from the S with a 17-second period and energy hits 3734 (strong), but the wind is a cross-onshore from the ENE at 6 mph, and by the afternoon it’s up to 16 mph, making it a total mess. Thursday the 27th and Friday the 28th morning are still poor, with strong cross-shore winds and lumpy conditions.
Then, finally, a bit of life. Friday morning the 28th of August – the wind drops to nothing, glassy conditions. The swell is 6 ft from the E, with a 10-second period, and the energy is 1038 (moderate). It’s clean, but it’s a short period, so the waves will be a bit weaker and more crumbly. Still, for a surfer who’s been waiting, it’s a real treat. The wind is glass, and that’s a major positive. The downside? It’s a river mouth, so that long-period, straight-breaking swell from the S we had earlier isn’t going to be perfect here, but this E swell will wrap in nicely. It’s a standout for the first week, but it’s not huge.
The next few days are a write-off again. Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th are poor, with strong winds and messy surf. The swell drops right off, with energy under 400 (weak). Monday the 31st of August through to Tuesday the 1st of September is more of the same – small, weak, and choppy. There’s a big gap of nothing here.
Now, here’s the big one. Wednesday morning the 2nd of September. Holy moly. The swell is a monster 15 ft from the SW, with a 15-second period, and the combined energy is a whopping 11182 (very strong). That’s a serious groundswell. But it’s a double-edged sword. The wind is a cross-shore from the SW at 19 mph, and the forecast says it’s too big for this break. This is only for experts, and even then, it’s going to be a washing machine. The energy is insane, but the quality is going to be brutal. The river mouth won’t handle that size well. It’s a spectacle, not a session. I’d look at this for a tow-in crew, but for paddle surfing, it’s a pass.
Thursday the 3rd of September is a bit better – 7 ft from the S, 11-second period, 959 energy (moderate), but the wind is a light cross-onshore from the SSE at 6 mph. It’s marginal, but it’s a step down. Friday the 4th and Saturday the 5th are both poor again, with strong cross-shore winds and messy conditions.
The second week offers a glimmer on Monday morning the 7th of September. The wind is offshore from the NNW at a slight 3 mph, clean. The swell is 4 ft from the S, with a 13-second period, and energy of 1220 (weak). It’s a bit small, but the offshore wind will make it glassy and lined up. The period is long enough for some decent shape, but it’s a point break at a river mouth, so that long-period S swell might be a bit straight. Still, it’s the best of the second week. The rest of the days up to the 9th are small, weak, and cross-on, not worth a paddle.
The standout for the whole period? I’d say Friday morning the 28th of August – that glassy, 6 ft E swell at Bonza Bay. It’s clean, it’s manageable, and the energy is moderate. It’s not epic, but it’s the best wave-to-wind ratio we’ve got. The other standout is a warning: Wednesday the 2nd of September – that 15 ft SW swell is a beast, but it’s too big for this spot. If you’re a strong, experienced surfer and you’re looking for a challenge, go check it, but expect a beating.
There are long gaps of a few days here with no real hope – from the 29th to the 31st, and again from the 3rd to the 6th. It’s a tough run, but the couple of good windows are worth waiting for.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 33°C on Fri morning, min 16°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NE on Wed night, calm by Fri morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 33°C on Sat morning, min 16°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Sun afternoon, calm by Mon morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | SSW 14 | S 17 | S 16 | S 14 | S 12 | S 12 | E 10 | E 10 | S 12 | S 11 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | E 10 | E 10 | S 6 | S 7 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
1596 | 763 | 3734 | 4034 | 1733 | 772 | 784 | 739 | 552 | 383 | 307 | 228 | 170 | 584 | 245 | 138 | 181 | 148 | 110 | 113 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 5:00PM2.10m | 5:12AM1.96m | 5:31PM2.07m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 10:46AM0.29m | 11:09PM0.34m | 11:15AM0.32m | 11:40PM0.39m | |||||||
— | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | |
5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:49 | — | |
mm | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 33 | 29 | 27 | 33 | 30 | 26 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
Feels °C | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 17 | 20 | 32 | 27 | 24 | 28 | 27 | 25 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | S 17 | S 16 | S 14 | S 12 | S 12 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | S 7 | SSE 7 | E 9 | E 6 |
1596 | 763 | 3734 | 4034 | 1733 | 772 | 784 | 739 | 552 | 432 | 489 | 520 | 598 | 584 | 245 | 200 | 181 | 77 | 110 | 44 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | S 18 | — | — | — | S 16 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | S 11 | SSE 10 | SSW 10 | ENE 10 | E 10 | S 6 | E 9 |
2 | 229 | — | — | — | 190 | 417 | 575 | 403 | 383 | 307 | 228 | 170 | 86 | 35 | 11 | 160 | 148 | 31 | 113 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 9 | — | — | — | SSW 13 | — | — | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 |
— | 2 | — | — | — | 35 | — | — | 83 | 174 | 121 | 7 | 48 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 38 | 51 | 51 | 81 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | ESE 4 | ENE 6 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 10 | — | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | — | ENE 10 | SW 5 | SSW 6 | S 6 | — | — | E 4 | ENE 6 |
— | — | — | 21 | 154 | 438 | 688 | 1451 | — | 768 | 1261 | — | 1249 | 68 | 91 | 138 | — | — | 22 | 82 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 52 | 0 | 34 | 831 | 427 | 249 | 249 | 0 | 0 | 99 | 0 | 19 | 54 | 173 | 435 | 301 | 0 | 124 | 239 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape - Wild Coast | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











