Surf Forecasts:
Bonza Bay surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 26 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, S swell with cross-onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, S swell with 5,106 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 10s 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m 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 3.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 9s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 2PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 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 talk Bonza Bay in feet and miles per hour. Over the next couple weeks, it’s a bit of a rollercoaster, but there’s one morning that’s gonna be worth paddlin’ out for.
Right now, startin’ Sunday the 23rd of August, we’ve got a 8ft SSW swell rollin’ in, period about 10 seconds, and the combined energy is solid at 1523 (moderate). Problem is, the wind’s cross-shore from the SW at 12 mph, so it’s lumpy. The water temp’s about 66°, which is normal for this time of year – nothin’ wild. That morning’s not worth it, and the afternoon’s smaller and onshore.
Monday the 24th is tiny – 3ft from the south, short period, cross-onshore wind. Tuesday the 25th has a 5ft SSW groundswell with a long 16-second period, energy 1146 (moderate). The wind’s cross-shore from the SW at 9 mph, but it’s still a bit bumpy. That long period means better-shaped waves at the river mouth, but the cross-chop is there. It’s okay, nothin’ special.
Wednesday the 26th brings a 8ft south swell with a 17-second period – that’s a very long groundswell. Energy’s huge at 3364 (strong). But the wind’s cross-onshore from the east at 9 mph, and by afternoon it’s 10ft with 16 mph onshore. That’s too big for beginners and messy for everyone. That long period at a beach setup will break straight and close out. Thursday the 27th is a total write-off with 25–28 mph cross-shore winds. Avoid it.
Now Friday the 28th of August – this is the one. Morning session has a 6ft easterly swell, 9-second period, combined energy 1164 (moderate). But the wind? Glassy. Dead calm from the NE at just 3 mph. That means Bonza Bay will be clean as glass. The period is short, so waves won’t have long walls, but for a clean, fun session on 6ft waves, it’s the best you’ll get. Crowds are possible, so get there early. This is your standout.
Saturday the 29th has a smaller 4ft east swell with clean cross-off wind, but the afternoon gets blown out. Sunday the 30th into early September is flat – swell drops to 1ft and the wind’s messy. There’s a gap of several days with no decent surf from the 30th through the 4th of September. A few tiny bumps appear but with onshore or strong cross-winds, not worth it.
Monday the 7th of September gives us a 6ft SSW swell with a 12-second period, energy 1025 (moderate). Wind is light from the SSW at 6 mph, so it’s cross-shore but light enough to be cleanish. Could be a session if the tide works, but it’s a long way out and less certain. Not a standout.
Bottom line: set your alarm for Friday the 28th of August, early. Glassy, 6ft east swell, clean at Bonza Bay. The rest is mostly small, choppy, or blown out. Water’s average temp, so a 3/2 or spring suit will do. Stay stoked, Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun morning, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri night. Warm (max 30°C on Fri afternoon, min 17°C on Wed morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the ENE on Thu afternoon, calm by Fri morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | S 10 | S 8 | S 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | S 17 | S 17 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | E 9 | S 12 | S 12 | E 9 | E 9 | SSE 11 | E 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
983 | 577 | 319 | 112 | 198 | 775 | 1135 | 1464 | 898 | 3364 | 5106 | 2093 | 1178 | 772 | 794 | 497 | 565 | 397 | 300 | 156 | 550 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | on | glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross |
High Tide | 1:40PM1.43m | 1:43AM1.50m | 2:17PM1.58m | 2:20AM1.63m | 2:46PM1.72m | 2:50AM1.74m | 3:12PM1.84m | 3:18AM1.85m | 3:38PM1.95m | 3:46AM1.93m | 4:04PM2.03m | 4:14AM1.98m | 4:31PM2.09m | 4:43AM1.99m | |||||||
Low Tide | 7:39PM0.95m | 7:59AM0.79m | 8:18PM0.81m | 8:30AM0.65m | 8:48PM0.68m | 8:58AM0.53m | 9:16PM0.55m | 9:25AM0.43m | 9:44PM0.45m | 9:52AM0.35m | 10:11PM0.37m | 10:18AM0.30m | 10:39PM0.34m | ||||||||
6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | |
— | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 27 | 30 | 30 | 32 | 30 | 24 |
Feels °C | 14 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 19 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 28 | 26 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | S 10 | S 8 | S 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | S 17 | S 17 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 |
529 | 577 | 319 | 112 | 198 | 775 | 1135 | 1464 | 898 | 3364 | 5106 | 2093 | 1178 | 772 | 794 | 497 | 397 | 397 | 300 | 388 | 550 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSE 12 | E 9 | E 9 | S 18 | — | — | — | — | S 16 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SSE 11 | S 10 |
5 | 6 | 6 | 63 | 74 | 13 | 6 | 2 | 104 | — | — | — | — | 135 | 660 | 488 | 565 | 377 | 247 | 156 | 77 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | — | SE 12 | SSW 11 | SSE 12 | E 10 | SE 11 | SE 12 | E 10 | — | — | — | — | — | S 16 | SSE 15 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSE 13 |
6 | — | 6 | 47 | 14 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 132 | 179 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 18 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 5 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | — | — | — | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 |
983 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 75 | 268 | 838 | 1387 | — | — | — | 865 | 781 | 1318 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 52 | 4 | 0 | 52 | 34 | 0 | 23 | 52 | 0 | 404 | 612 | 435 | 439 | 435 | 0 | 0 | 249 | 19 | 54 | 249 | 99 |
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.











