
Surf Forecasts:
Bonza Bay surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 21 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 14s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 17s period, S swell with 2,461 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 12s period with SE 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 (Jul 20) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m 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 2.1m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 26) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Tue 21st Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bonza Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
IMPERIAL
Alright folks, Rusty here. We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag on the horizon for Bonza Bay. The water’s running much colder than normal for this time of year at 18°, so you’ll definitely want a decent wetsuit.
Now, let’s be honest, the next few days aren't exactly going to set the world on fire. There’s a bit of a slow start with some cross-shore breezes and a lumpy 5ft swell from the SSE on Sunday the 19th – energy is moderate (699) but the conditions are a bit messy. Monday the 20th sees a jump in swell size and energy (2196) with an 8ft SW swell, but it’s a bit of a wildcard with that strong cross-offshore breeze.
The first real standout is shaping up for Tuesday morning the 21st. The wind is going to drop to a glassy, light S breeze, and we’ll have a clean 4ft SE swell rolling in with a period of 11 seconds. The energy is moderate (636), but it’s that glassy morning that’s going to make it worth paddling out. That’s your best chance for a clean, fun session in the first week.
Things get a bit frustrating from there. The wind cranks up again, and we get a long stretch of poor conditions with fresh cross-shore breezes and lumpy, choppy water. It looks like a bit of a blank run through the end of the month.
However, hold onto your leashes, because the long-range outlook is looking promising. Wednesday the 29th is a real potential standout. The morning is looking glassy with a 7ft S swell and a very long 15-second period. The energy is strong (1676), and the swell direction matches the optimum S direction. This is going to be a powerful, clean groundswell. The size is over 5ft, so it’s more for the intermediate and experienced crew, and that long period could mean long waits between sets, but the quality on offer will be worth it. The afternoon is also glassy with a 5ft SSW swell at a huge 16-second period, cranking out very strong energy (2796). This is the best window of the entire forecast.
Then, we get another promising window on Sunday the 2nd of August. The morning is looking glassy again with a 7ft E swell, and that’s paired with excellent conditions. The energy is strong (1456). This is another one for the experienced surfers. The afternoon holds a 4ft SSW swell with a massive 19-second period and clean cross-offshore winds, showing very strong energy (1940). It’s a long way out, so keep an eye on it, but it’s something to look forward to.
So, to sum it up: the first week is a bit of a struggle with a few clean windows here and there. The real magic is in the second week, with Wednesday the 29th and Sunday the 2nd of August looking like the absolute standouts. Don’t sleep on those.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun afternoon, min 14°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Warm (max 20°C on Wed afternoon, min 16°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed afternoon, fresh winds from the WSW by Thu morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | ||||||||||||||
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 | SE 12 | SW 10 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | S 11 | SSW 18 | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
490 | 661 | 1245 | 565 | 486 | 411 | 365 | 721 | 454 | 276 | 258 | 372 | 370 | 862 | 823 | 2231 | 1212 | 836 | 492 | 523 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 7:21PM1.88m | 7:28AM1.66m | 8:04PM1.76m | 8:11AM1.54m | 8:54PM1.64m | 9:08AM1.43m | 10:02PM1.54m | 10:41AM1.36m | 11:31PM1.50m | 12:30PM1.39m | 00:52AM1.53m | 1:41PM1.48m | 1:48AM1.61m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:26AM0.74m | 1:29PM0.67m | 2:11AM0.85m | 2:12PM0.80m | 3:06AM0.95m | 3:07PM0.92m | 4:27AM1.01m | 4:32PM1.01m | 6:10AM0.99m | 6:18PM1.01m | 7:23AM0.90m | 7:32PM0.94m | ||||||||
— | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | |
5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 3 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 18 |
Feels °C | 16 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | S 11 | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 |
490 | 661 | 574 | 565 | 486 | 411 | 343 | 721 | 454 | 276 | 258 | 151 | 108 | 61 | 649 | 2231 | 1212 | 836 | 492 | 523 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 13 | SSW 9 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SE 11 | ESE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SSW 18 | SE 11 | SE 11 | E 5 | SSE 8 | E 6 |
173 | 216 | 346 | 172 | 186 | 203 | 365 | 293 | 299 | 209 | 169 | 110 | 15 | 8 | 823 | 30 | 18 | 14 | 32 | 19 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 9 | E 10 | E 10 | S 12 | SSW 16 | S 7 | SSW 6 | E 9 | E 9 | E 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | — | S 21 | SE 11 | — | E 7 | SE 10 | E 5 | SSE 7 |
36 | 31 | 31 | 76 | 51 | 22 | 13 | 6 | 6 | 33 | 51 | 39 | — | 9 | 43 | — | 1 | 17 | 14 | 18 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 9 | SW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 5 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | S 11 | — | — | NE 4 | — | — | — |
— | 427 | 1245 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 27 | 372 | 370 | 862 | — | — | 29 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 4 | 23 | 52 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 239 | 52 | 0 | 25 | 492 | 273 | 99 | 249 | 24 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape - Wild Coast | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.










