Surf Forecasts:
Bonza Bay surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 2 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 14s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 18s period, S swell with 2,960 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 14s 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 (Sep 01) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Bonza Bay in the next 16 days are 2.2m 18s 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 3.0m 9s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 18s |
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 cookin’ at Bonza Bay over the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, truth be told, it’s a tough stretch. The first proper surf recommendation doesn’t kick in until the 2nd of September, but even then, it’s nothing to write home about. We’re looking at a long patch of iffy to poor conditions, with the wind and swell not really lining up. For a river mouth, Bonza Bay is exposed to a southerly swell, and the water temp is sitting pretty average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The real standout, as far as anything goes, is the morning of the 2nd of September. You’ll see a 5ft SSW swell rolling in with a 14-second period – that’s a proper long-period groundswell, which means good energy and shape, but at a river mouth, it might bend a bit straight. The wind is a light cross-onshore from the south at 6 mph, keeping things a touch rippled but not ruined. The combined energy is moderate (1026), so there’s some push behind it. The crowd factor is only “sometimes,” so you might get a peak to yourself, but it’s a fairly consistent break, so it’ll hold a wave. This is your best bet, and it’s only a marginal call.
After that, it’s a long slog. The 3rd kicks up a bit of a chop with a 3ft S swell, but the wind is up and messy. The 4th of September has a big 10ft SSE swell, but with a 19 mph cross-onshore wind, it’s blown out and lumpy – that’s only for the hardcore, and even then, this is better suited for a kite. The 5th, 6th, and 7th are all blown out too, with fresh to strong breezes making a mess of things. There’s even a 21-second period swell on the 6th, but it’s wasted with a 22 mph cross-shore wind.
The second week doesn’t get much better. The 12th of September has a 6ft to 7ft S swell with a 15-second period, which sounds promising, but the wind is a fresh cross-shore to cross-onshore, so it’s lumpy. The 15th has a similar story. The 17th of September has a 3ft SSW swell with a 15-second period, but again, cross-onshore wind. Honestly, there’s no other true standout. The wind just never lets up for any clean, glassy conditions.
So, I’d say if you’re keen, paddle out on the morning of the 2nd of September. It’s the only window where the energy and wind are close to working together. Otherwise, it’s a waiting game. It’s a blank run for most of the 16 days, but that’s not unusual for this area when the wind gets stubborn. Keep an eye on it, forecasts can change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 22°C on Thu morning, min 16°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, strong winds from the SSE by Thu night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 23°C on Mon afternoon, min 15°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the ENE on Sat morning, fresh winds from the ENE by Mon afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 11 | S 11 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | S 11 | S 10 | E 6 | SSW 21 | S 18 | S 15 | E 9 | E 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
624 | 975 | 721 | 356 | 260 | 235 | 1667 | 1883 | 1203 | 433 | 292 | 332 | 264 | 284 | 961 | 2960 | 763 | 1198 | 872 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 6:18AM1.78m | 6:41PM1.85m | 6:59AM1.63m | 7:27PM1.69m | 7:54AM1.47m | 8:39PM1.51m | 9:44AM1.36m | 10:55PM1.43m | 12:10PM1.43m | 00:47AM1.52m | 1:25PM1.62m | 1:47AM1.67m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:14AM0.48m | 12:19PM0.50m | 00:53AM0.62m | 12:59PM0.65m | 1:42AM0.77m | 1:55PM0.83m | 3:05AM0.92m | 3:53PM0.97m | 5:44AM0.92m | 6:35PM0.89m | 7:13AM0.77m | 7:44PM0.71m | |||||||
— | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | |
5:50 | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 22 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 21 | 23 | 23 |
Feels °C | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 17 | 18 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 11 | S 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | SSE 9 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 21 | S 18 | S 15 | S 12 | E 10 |
624 | 975 | 721 | 356 | 260 | 235 | 96 | 77 | 1203 | 433 | 292 | 332 | 264 | 161 | 961 | 2960 | 763 | 180 | 872 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 8 | — | E 5 | E 8 | E 8 | — | — | E 10 | S 9 | S 9 | E 10 | SE 7 | SSW 24 | S 10 | — | SSE 13 | SSW 14 | S 13 |
57 | 51 | — | 28 | 88 | 50 | — | — | 47 | 264 | 181 | 31 | 54 | 108 | 96 | — | 131 | 280 | 347 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | E 9 | — | — | — | — | S 17 | S 15 | S 13 | — | E 10 | S 13 | SSE 13 | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 39 | — | — | — | — | 23 | 104 | 112 | — | 31 | 14 | 34 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 8 | ENE 5 | — | S 6 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | — | ENE 9 | — | ESE 8 | E 6 | E 6 | E 7 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 9 | ENE 9 |
— | — | 71 | 47 | — | 64 | 1667 | 1883 | — | 64 | — | 256 | 104 | 284 | 414 | 526 | 617 | 1198 | 1411 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 52 | 237 | 19 | 52 | 52 | 1848 | 492 | 921 | 492 | 455 | 455 | 151 | 455 | 455 | 435 | 249 | 301 | 19 |
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.











