
Surf Forecasts:
Bonza Bay surf forecast from 6 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 9 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SW swell with 3,495 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 7 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 12s 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 Friday (Aug 07) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m 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 3.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 13) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Fri 7th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bonza Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Looks like we’ve got a bit of a slow start, but once the wind plays ball, Bonza Bay will turn it on. This is a river mouth setup, exposed to south swells, and the optimum direction is from the south, so it’s ready to light up when conditions line up.
Friday morning, August 7, we’re getting things going with a clean 4 ft SSW groundswell at 12 seconds. The combined energy is a solid moderate 403, and with a light cross-offshore breeze, the surf will be clean and rideable. That’s our opener.
Then comes the standout. Saturday morning, August 8, is where you want to be in the water. The swell bumps up to 4 ft from the SSW, period stretches to 14 seconds – that’s proper groundswell with good energy (674), and the wind is dead glass. Zero wind. That’s as good as it gets for a river mouth. Expect clean, lined-up waves. This is the best session on offer. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing wild there.
Sunday is a write-off – strong cross-shore winds and light rain make a mess of things, and Monday and Tuesday get a bit lumpy with onshore winds and some size, but it’s not worth paddling out for.
Wednesday and Thursday are blown out by strong NE winds. Friday, August 14, we see a little 4 ft east windswell (319 energy), but the period is short at 6 seconds and the wind is cross. Marginal at best.
Now, looking further out – Saturday, August 15, the swell picks up again with a 4 ft easterly groundswell at 12 seconds, 600 energy, but cross winds will mess with the shape. Still, could be a session for the keen ones.
The real second-week highlight is Monday morning, August 17. The swell holds at 6 ft from the east, period 11 seconds, and the wind goes glass again. Combined energy is strong at 794. This is another clean, glassy session – definitely worth marking on the calendar. Tuesday morning, August 18, also has glassy conditions with a 5 ft east swell, but the energy drops to 474, so not as punchy.
After that, the wind turns onshore again, and the last few days look pretty average with small swell and poor conditions. There’s a gap from around August 19 to 22 with no real standout sessions, but that Monday the 17th is the one to circle.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Sun afternoon. Warm (max 22°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Sun afternoon). Winds increasing (calm on Sat morning, fresh winds from the SW by Sun morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 25mm), heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun night, min 12°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Sun night, light winds from the SE by Tue morning). | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | ||||||||||||||
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 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 7 | S 8 | S 8 | SSW 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | ESE 8 | E 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
569 | 339 | 308 | 813 | 565 | 384 | 362 | 537 | 681 | 670 | 755 | 581 | 617 | 757 | 1288 | 687 | 284 | 219 | 227 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:12PM1.64m | 9:56AM1.42m | 10:53PM1.58m | 11:56AM1.45m | 00:35AM1.63m | 1:23PM1.59m | 1:46AM1.74m | 2:20PM1.77m | 2:38AM1.86m | 3:06PM1.93m | 3:21AM1.96m | 3:45PM2.06m | 4:00AM2.01m | ||||||
Low Tide | 3:40AM0.90m | 3:57PM0.91m | 5:38AM0.90m | 6:03PM0.90m | 7:10AM0.79m | 7:32PM0.77m | 8:08AM0.63m | 8:29PM0.62m | 8:52AM0.49m | 9:14PM0.49m | 9:30AM0.38m | 9:53PM0.40m | |||||||
— | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | |
5:32 | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | |
mm | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 12 | 15 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 15 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 21 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | E 9 | E 10 | S 8 | SSE 8 | S 11 | S 11 | S 13 | S 12 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 |
569 | 339 | 308 | 813 | 565 | 384 | 362 | 537 | 63 | 29 | 755 | 581 | 617 | 757 | 1288 | 687 | 268 | 219 | 227 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 6 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | — | — | E 9 | SSW 11 | SE 8 | S 14 | E 9 | ESE 8 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 |
90 | 64 | 61 | 62 | 66 | 115 | 92 | 68 | — | — | 27 | 130 | 264 | 394 | 27 | 183 | 284 | 188 | 104 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | NE 7 | NE 7 | — | E 9 | SE 6 | SE 7 | SE 7 | — | — | SW 12 | E 9 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | E 10 | ENE 9 | SSW 21 | SSW 18 |
6 | 2 | 2 | — | 43 | 7 | 12 | 9 | — | — | 120 | 27 | 320 | 28 | 14 | 45 | 16 | 176 | 184 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | ENE 4 | — | SW 4 | SSW 6 | SW 5 | S 7 | S 8 | — | SSW 10 | — | SE 8 | ESE 8 | — | — | ENE 9 | ENE 5 |
— | — | — | 32 | — | 16 | 69 | 51 | 681 | 670 | — | 541 | — | 314 | 215 | — | — | 113 | 72 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 18 | 0 | 237 | 99 | 0 | 52 | 4 | 129 | 2996 | 440 | 4 | 52 | 53 | 129 | 492 | 0 | 124 | 321 | 177 |
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.











