Bonza Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 32.99° S 27.94° E

Bonza Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 04 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Bonza Bay sea temperature is
19.0°C
0.6° 

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 4 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 7 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, S swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, S swell with 5,183 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 7 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s 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 (Sep 07) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 1.7m and 17s. Another secondary swell of 1.3m and 5s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore 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 Monday (Sep 07) at 2AM. 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 8s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Mon 7th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 17s
Best Surf 2AM (Mon 7th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 17s
Most Powerful 2AM (Mon 7th Sep)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 have a look at what’s on the cards for Bonza Bay over the next few weeks.

Right off the bat, I gotta be honest with you – the forecast is a tough one. The next 16 days are a mixed bag, and there’s a real gap in quality surf on offer. The whole first week is a write-off for anything decent. The wind is all over the place, mostly cross and cross-onshore, and the surf is either too small, too messy, or just flat out poor. There’s a lot of chop and lumpy conditions, and the scores are low. You’ll be waiting a while.

The first real glimmer of hope doesn’t show up until Sunday the 13th of September. That morning, Bonza Bay (river) is looking at a big 13ft swell from the east. The wind is light and cross-shore, with just a slight air, so it’s glassy and clean. The combined energy is pumping at 3651 (moderate wave energy), which is a lot of power. Now, this is a big one – 13ft is way too big for beginners, and even for most intermediates, it’s expert-only territory. The swell period is 10 seconds, which is a solid groundswell. It’s a river break, so it should handle the size better than a beach break, but it’s still a serious session. The water temperature is about average for this time of year. The crowds can be *sometimes* an issue here, but on a day this big, you might have it more to yourself.

The other standout is on Saturday the 19th of September. That morning, we’ve got a massive 15ft swell from the east-southeast, with a long period of 11 seconds. The energy is through the roof at 8821 (strong to very strong wave energy). Winds are moderate cross-shore from the northeast, so it’s a bit lumpy. Again, this is expert-only size. The long period suggests proper groundswell, which can be a bit straight at a river mouth, but with that much power, it’ll be a beast. Afternoon sees a 13ft swell with lighter winds, but there’s a risk of thunderstorms. Keep an eye on the sky.

Honestly, if you’re not an experienced big-wave surfer, the next couple of weeks are pretty bleak. The swell is either too small and messy, or way too big and messy. The only real windows are those two big days, and they’re for the brave. If you’re a kiter, the windy, choppy days in the first week might actually look interesting.

Stay safe out there.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Warm (max 20°C on Mon afternoon, min 15°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NE on Sat night, fresh winds from the NE by Mon afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Wed morning, min 16°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NE on Mon night, light winds from the NNE by Wed night).

Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
1
0
0
0
!
1
0
0
0
1
2
2
1
0
0
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)
2.1
SSE
9
1.7
SE
8
1.1
S
11
1.2
S
11
0.8
SSW
23
1.5
SSW
20
3
S
17
2.2
S
15
1.5
S
13
1
S
11
1.8
E
9
2
E
9
2
E
9
1.7
E
9
1.7
E
9
0.4
SE
13
1.3
E
9
1.2
E
9
0.7
SSW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
629
373
291
326
623
1768
5183
2107
713
251
498
621
664
484
484
44
293
256
217
Wind (km/h)
20
ENE
15
NE
25
ENE
15
E
20
E
25
E
30
ENE
30
NE
40
NE
25
NE
15
ENE
25
ENE
15
NE
10
E
15
NE
20
SW
20
SSW
25
SW
5
SW
Wind State
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
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
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
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:20
6:20
6:18
6:16
6:16
6:13
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:52
5:52
5:52
5:53
5:54
5:54
5:55
 mm
2
1
2
2
Temp °C
16
16
18
18
18
17
17
19
20
18
25
23
23
29
27
26
22
21
20
Feels °C
12
14
14
16
16
14
13
14
14
13
23
21
22
28
26
26
21
19
19
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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