Surf Forecasts:
Bonza Bay surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 25 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 14s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 17s period, S swell with 4,203 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 9s 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m 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 2.5m 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 3.5m 10s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bonza Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, surfers, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for Bonza Bay over the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you—the first week’s a bit of a write-off. We’ve got a solid pulse of swell, but the wind is just gonna ruin it. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The week kicks off Monday the 24th with a tiny 3ft to 3ft southerly swell, but it’s coming in with light cross-onshore winds. The energy is pretty weak (204), and the scores are low. Not worth paddling out for.
Tuesday the 25th sees the swell start to build. The morning is a bit better with a 3ft southerly swell, but that light cross-onshore wind is still there. The afternoon’s a different story – we get a jump to 5ft from the SSW, with a 16-second period, and the energy is strong (1283). But the wind is a cross-shore, not offshore, so it’s not as clean as it could be.
Then Wednesday the 26th is a total mess. The swell gets up to 7ft in the morning and 8ft in the afternoon, but it’s coming in with strong cross-onshore winds and the energy is massive (2328 and 4203). That’s not for paddle surfing; honestly, that’s kite-surfing territory if anything. The wind is just too strong and choppy.
Thursday the 27th is even worse. Strong breeze from the NE at 28 mph and a messy cross-chop. The swell drops to 5ft. Just a day to stay home.
Friday the 28th offers a glimmer. The morning shows a 6ft easterly swell with a 10-second period, and a light cross-onshore wind. The energy is moderate (1107). It’s still not great, but it’s the best we’ve seen in days.
Saturday the 29th morning is a bit of a tease. We get a 6ft easterly swell with a moderate cross-offshore wind that makes it clean. The energy is moderate (789). But the afternoon turns into a fresh breeze and lumpy chop. The window is small.
The Sunday the 30th and Monday the 31st are a write-off again with moderate to strong cross-shore winds and messy conditions.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. After a dry spell, we hit Tuesday the 1st of September. The morning is looking clean! We’ve got a 3ft SSW swell, a 10-second period, with a light cross-offshore wind. The energy is low (245), but the clean conditions mean it’ll be a fun little session on a longboard.
Wednesday the 2nd of September morning is another standout. The swell jumps to 5ft from the east, with a 9-second period, and a moderate cross-offshore wind keeping it clean. The energy is moderate (600). That’s the best-looking window in the whole forecast.
After that, the wind gets messy again. Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th have strong winds, but Friday afternoon might be interesting for the brave: a 6ft southerly swell with a 12-second period, and a fresh cross-offshore wind keeping it clean. The energy is strong (1097). It’s not perfect, but it’s a decent option.
Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th are a mixed bag with light winds but cross-shore and cross-onshore, keeping the surf a bit bumpy. The Sunday morning has a 6ft SSW swell with a 13-second period and light cross-shore winds, which is promising.
The final call is Monday the 7th of September. The morning shows a 8ft southerly swell with a 9-second period and a gentle cross-shore wind. The energy is strong (2168). That’s a solid wave, but it’s getting big for beginners, and the afternoon turns into a choppy mess.
The Bottom Line: The best bet is Wednesday the 2nd of September morning. The 5ft east swell with clean cross-offshore winds at Bonza Bay is the clear highlight. It’s the most consistent and cleanest session on offer. The Tuesday the 1st morning is a close second for a small, clean, cruisy wave. Everything else is a compromise with the wind.
Stay patient, and keep an eye on that forecast. It tends not to stay poor for long around here.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon afternoon, min 15°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 33°C on Sat morning, min 17°C on Wed night). Mainly strong winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | ||||||||||||||
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 | S 8 | S 11 | SSW 15 | S 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | S 17 | S 17 | S 14 | S 12 | S 12 | E 10 | E 10 | S 12 | E 10 | E 10 | SSE 11 | E 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
326 | 112 | 244 | 785 | 596 | 1271 | 773 | 2326 | 4203 | 1603 | 556 | 678 | 864 | 552 | 390 | 414 | 561 | 135 | 900 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 7:59AM0.79m | 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 | |||||||
— | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | |
5:44 | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 26 | 24 | 27 | 33 | 28 | 25 |
Feels °C | 17 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 29 | 24 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 8 | S 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | S 17 | S 17 | S 14 | S 12 | S 12 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSE 11 | E 10 |
326 | 112 | 244 | 785 | 447 | 1271 | 773 | 2326 | 4203 | 1603 | 556 | 678 | 864 | 552 | 361 | 414 | 561 | 135 | 900 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | SSW 14 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | S 17 | E 9 | S 18 | E 10 | — | — | S 16 | — | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | SSE 12 | SW 14 | S 11 |
6 | 62 | 14 | 12 | 596 | 6 | 159 | 2 | — | — | 305 | — | 575 | 472 | 390 | 313 | 224 | 8 | 61 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | SW 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | SE 12 | E 9 | — | — | — | SSW 13 | — | SSE 16 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | S 14 | SSW 10 | SW 13 |
6 | 30 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 2 | — | — | — | 181 | — | 25 | 83 | 172 | 165 | 4 | 10 | 6 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 10 | — | — | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | E 10 | ENE 10 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 170 | 547 | 1222 | 2149 | — | — | 1048 | 1042 | 799 | 1608 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 4 | 52 | 0 | 4 | 23 | 0 | 129 | 369 | 435 | 249 | 273 | 0 | 19 | 492 | 19 | 99 | 249 | 24 |
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.











