
Surf Forecasts:
Bonza Bay surf forecast from 9 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 14 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, E swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 14 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, E swell with 2,143 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 10 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 13s 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 Thursday (Sep 10) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 10s. 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 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 14) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 9s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 10) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 1ft (0.3m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Mon 14th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
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 happening at Bonza Bay over the next couple of weeks.
We’re staring down a pretty grim start, to be honest. The first few days out of the gate are a write-off – poor surf, weak energy, and the wind is just not playing ball. We’re looking at a gap of about four days before anything even remotely worth paddling out for shows up.
The real story begins to unfold on Sunday, the 13th of September. The energy starts to kick in, with a combined swell energy of 1378, and by Sunday afternoon, we’re seeing a solid 8ft swell from the east. The wind is cross-shore, though, so it’s going to be a bit chopped up. It’s marginal, but the tide might line up. This is one of the first hints of life.
Now, Monday the 14th of September. This is the standout. The forecast has a massive 10ft swell from the east (energy 1523) building through the morning, and by the afternoon it’s hitting 11.5ft (energy 2276). The wind eases off to a light cross-shore, and the tide is favorable. But here’s the catch: this is a river mouth setup, and at that size, it’s probably going to be too big for the average punter. This is strictly for the experts. If you’re a seasoned charger, this is your window. The swell direction and the optimum S direction from the guidance don’t match perfectly, but the raw power is undeniable.
Tuesday the 15th of September still has some size, with 6ft and 5ft from the east, but the wind is either cross or cross-on, and it’s back to being marginal. The energy is down to 829 and 597, so it’s not the same beast as Monday.
The rest of the following week is a mess. Strong winds, onshore conditions, and massive swell (8ft to 10ft) that’s just going to be a wind-blown, lumpy battlefield. There’s a brief moment on Saturday the 19th of September where the wind goes cross-off and the swell is 10ft, but again, that’s huge for this break and likely too big for most. The energy is up at 1420, but it’s a big, powerful, and probably unsurfable mess unless you’re on a gun. The following days are then back to poor conditions with strong onshore winds.
So, if you’re looking for a window, the 14th of September is the big one, but it’s not for the faint-hearted. Otherwise, this is a sparse run, which is pretty normal for this area when the winds get grumpy.
Stay safe out there.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Warm (max 31°C on Wed morning, min 17°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 22°C on Sun morning, min 18°C on Sat morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ENE on Sat night, calm by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SW 14 | E 9 | E 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | E 6 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
57 | 32 | 46 | 275 | 235 | 277 | 131 | 96 | 82 | 99 | 117 | 547 | 636 | 817 | 741 | 1336 | 2143 | 1432 | 766 | 512 | 371 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:51PM1.97m | 3:07AM1.91m | 3:25PM2.08m | 3:40AM1.98m | 3:57PM2.13m | 4:11AM2.00m | 4:28PM2.13m | 4:39AM1.98m | 4:56PM2.08m | 5:07AM1.92m | 5:24PM1.99m | 5:33AM1.83m | 5:49PM1.86m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:38AM0.45m | 9:04PM0.41m | 9:11AM0.34m | 9:36PM0.32m | 9:42AM0.27m | 10:06PM0.29m | 10:11AM0.24m | 10:34PM0.30m | 10:39AM0.27m | 11:02PM0.35m | 11:07AM0.33m | 11:28PM0.43m | 11:34AM0.44m | 11:56PM0.53m | |||||||
6:16 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | |
— | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 31 | 28 | 25 | 26 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 19 |
Feels °C | 30 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 20 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 20 | 18 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
326 | 283 | 311 | 275 | 235 | 169 | 113 | 82 | 75 | 99 | 62 | 547 | 636 | 462 | 371 | 187 | 133 | 1432 | 766 | 512 | 371 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SSE 10 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | S 6 | E 9 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 20 | SSW 19 | — | — | — | S 12 | S 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 |
57 | 32 | 27 | 18 | 121 | 277 | 131 | 33 | 81 | 63 | 85 | 73 | 119 | 115 | — | — | — | 72 | 63 | 74 | 70 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 14 | SSW 12 | SSE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSE 7 | — | S 9 | — | — | — | — | — | S 24 | SSW 20 |
23 | 11 | 46 | 15 | 13 | 5 | 5 | 96 | 82 | 10 | 45 | 29 | — | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | 149 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | — | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | — | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 6 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | — | — | — | — |
791 | 513 | 490 | — | 6 | 22 | 28 | — | 202 | 141 | 117 | 295 | 623 | 817 | 741 | 1336 | 2143 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 19 | 249 | 19 | 124 | 52 | 52 | 0 | 129 | 124 | 440 | 455 | 455 | 273 | 435 | 239 | 120 | 54 | 0 | 23 | 52 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape - Wild Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










