
Surf Forecasts:
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: Sunday 6 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 18s period, S swell with 4,585 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 1.3m and 5s. 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 2.5m 18s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 9s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (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 | 11PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bonza Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s call it like it is.
Bonza Bay is looking like a tough beat over the next 16 days. This river-mouth setup is going to cop a lot of messy, cross-onshore wind that’ll tear the waves apart. There’s plenty of ocean energy sloshing around, but the quality is mostly rubbish for a clean surf.
Our first real chance to paddle out isn’t until Wednesday morning, September 9th. We’ve got a light breeze and a 1.8ft swell from the East, with a 9-second period. The water’s at 66°, which is normal for this time of year. It’s a marginal call, so keep the expectations low.
The one standout, and it’s a long way off, is early on Friday, September 18th. Glassy conditions with a big 11.4ft groundswell from the SSW, a long 12-second period, and massive energy of 7285. This is a serious swell, only for experts. The glassy wind is a gift, giving you clean, smooth waves. For a river break, a long-period SSW swell like that can be a bit fast and straight, so look for the corners. It’s a promising but uncertain call from two weeks out, but it’s the only shot at something truly good.
Other than that, it’s a lot of waiting. Windy, lumpy, and forgettable. If you’re not on a kite, you’ll be parked on the beach waiting for that one morning.
Stay stoked.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon morning, min 15°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Wed morning, min 17°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the ENE on Mon afternoon, light winds from the NE by Wed night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | ||||||||||||||
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 9 | SSE 9 | SE 8 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 23 | SSW 20 | S 17 | S 15 | S 12 | S 11 | E 8 | S 11 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
1203 | 629 | 390 | 345 | 326 | 617 | 1537 | 4465 | 1924 | 690 | 313 | 422 | 209 | 529 | 484 | 473 | 495 | 332 | 293 | 251 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on |
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 | ||||||||
— | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | |
5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | |
mm | — | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 27 | 23 | 24 | 31 | 28 | 27 | 19 | 20 | 20 |
Feels °C | 11 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 25 | 21 | 23 | 30 | 26 | 26 | 17 | 18 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 20 | S 17 | S 15 | S 12 | S 11 | E 8 | S 11 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 |
1203 | 629 | 390 | 193 | 326 | 245 | 1537 | 4465 | 1924 | 690 | 313 | 422 | 209 | 529 | 484 | 473 | 495 | 332 | 293 | 251 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | S 15 | S 12 | S 11 | E 10 | SSW 23 | S 10 | — | — | S 14 | S 13 | S 11 | SSW 12 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 13 | SE 13 | SE 12 | SSW 16 |
48 | 104 | 150 | 345 | 125 | 617 | 198 | — | — | 429 | 222 | 257 | 83 | 115 | 83 | 57 | 63 | 43 | 39 | 146 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | ENE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SE 7 | SSE 13 | S 13 | — | — | S 20 | — | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSE 14 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SE 12 |
22 | 31 | 30 | 51 | 64 | 35 | 165 | — | — | 30 | — | 109 | 61 | 27 | 12 | 18 | 46 | 14 | 14 | 21 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | E 10 | E 7 | E 10 | E 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SW 4 | SSW 5 | SW 4 |
— | — | — | — | 204 | 100 | 198 | 74 | 186 | 384 | 472 | 705 | 534 | 947 | 802 | 811 | 1133 | 4 | 15 | 5 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 904 | 404 | 455 | 455 | 204 | 124 | 455 | 237 | 455 | 476 | 99 | 19 | 435 | 18 | 19 | 301 | 49 | 237 | 25 | 4 |
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.










