Surf Forecasts:
Bonza Bay surf forecast from 27 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 9s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 15s period, SSW swell with 1,377 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 9s period with E 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 28) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 12s. 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 1.8m 15s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 2PM. 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 Thursday (Aug 27) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bonza Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey, crew. Rusty here, checking in on the local surf for the next couple of weeks. It’s a mixed bag—some clean windows, but also some real heavy hitters that’ll separate the men from the boys. Water temp’s about 67°F, which is pretty average for this time of year, so no need for a full wetsuit unless you’re particular.
First up, we’ve got Bonza Bay (river) – our only break on the menu. It’s a river mouth, pretty consistent, exposed to the south with a best swell direction from the south. Things start off rough. Thursday and Friday morning are a washout with strong cross-shore winds and messy surf. But Friday morning, August 28, things clean up. Light breeze, clean conditions, and a 6ft swell from the east with a 10-second period. The combined energy’s moderate at 1021, and it’s a good option for experienced surfers. That’s the pick of the early run.
Saturday morning, August 29, is also clean with a light breeze, same 6ft east swell, but the energy’s dropped to 901. Still a solid session for the more experienced crew. Then it goes quiet. Sunday through Tuesday are mostly poor, with small swells, onshore winds, and chop. There’s a bit of a lull here – no real surf to chase.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Wednesday, September 2, we see a 5ft to 6ft swell from the south-southwest with a long 14-second period. The energy’s moderate to strong (993 to 1173), but the wind is cross-onshore, so it’s only marginal. The long period means better shape if you can find a spot out of the breeze.
Then, hold on. Thursday, September 3 afternoon, the swell jumps to 12ft from the south-southwest with an 11-second period, and the energy’s strong at 2785. But the wind is strong cross-onshore, making it a mess. Not for paddling.
Friday, September 4 morning, we get a 15ft swell from the south-southeast with an 11-second period and massive energy (5034). The wind’s fresh and cross-offshore, so it’s clean, but that’s serious size – only for experts. The forecast says it’s too big for this break. For kiting, it’d be a blast, but for surfers, that’s a pass unless you’re a gun.
Saturday, September 5, still big – 10ft from the southeast – but with strong cross-onshore wind, it’s messy and poor. Sunday, September 6, drops to 8ft from the southeast, 12-second period, with a light cross-shore breeze. The energy’s still strong (3328), but the conditions are marginal. Could be a goer for the experienced.
The second week gets quieter. Monday, September 7, sees 5ft from the southeast, but cross-shore winds and dropping energy (922). Tuesday, September 8, is the standout for the second week: clean, light offshore wind from the northwest, 5ft from the east with a 9-second period, and moderate energy (451). That’s a nice, clean fun wave for intermediates. After that, it fades into small, poor conditions through to the end.
So, the best bet? Friday morning, August 28, and Saturday morning, August 29, for clean, chest-high east swell. And if you’re patient, Tuesday morning, September 8, with offshore winds and a clean 5ft east swell. The big stuff mid-week is for the brave or the kite crew.
Stay safe, keep your eyes on the horizon, and I’ll see you in the water.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 34°C on Fri morning, min 17°C on Thu morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the ENE on Thu afternoon, light winds from the NNE by Fri morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 20°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Sun morning, calm by Tue night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSE 11 | SW 6 | SSW 7 | S 6 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | S 7 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
787 | 787 | 575 | 589 | 627 | 653 | 666 | 133 | 88 | 191 | 94 | 255 | 194 | 148 | 120 | 14 | 156 | 226 | 988 | 1171 | 519 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | on | on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 3:38PM1.95m | 3:46AM1.93m | 4:04PM2.03m | 4:14AM1.98m | 4:31PM2.09m | 4:43AM1.99m | 5:00PM2.10m | 5:12AM1.96m | 5:31PM2.07m | 5:44AM1.89m | 6:04PM1.98m | 6:18AM1.78m | 6:41PM1.85m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:25AM0.43m | 9:44PM0.45m | 9:52AM0.35m | 10:11PM0.37m | 10:18AM0.30m | 10:39PM0.34m | 10:46AM0.29m | 11:09PM0.34m | 11:15AM0.32m | 11:40PM0.39m | 11:46AM0.39m | 00:14AM0.48m | 12:19PM0.50m | 00:53AM0.62m | |||||||
6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | |
— | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 |
Temp °C | 20 | 22 | 23 | 34 | 31 | 28 | 32 | 27 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 |
Feels °C | 14 | 15 | 20 | 31 | 28 | 24 | 29 | 24 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 12 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSE 11 | E 10 | SSW 7 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 10 | SSW 13 | E 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
787 | 787 | 742 | 589 | 627 | 653 | 666 | 133 | 468 | 121 | 204 | 255 | 194 | 148 | 120 | 125 | 156 | 153 | 988 | 1171 | 519 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | SSE 12 | SW 14 | S 11 | E 10 | SSW 10 | S 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 11 | SSW 7 | S 7 | E 9 | SSW 12 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 9 |
192 | 421 | 575 | 339 | 274 | 260 | 228 | 8 | 61 | 204 | 11 | 144 | 77 | 25 | 49 | 14 | 61 | 226 | 90 | 73 | 74 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | — | — | SSE 15 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SW 14 | SW 10 | SSE 14 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSW 12 | SSE 10 | SSW 11 | SW 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | S 7 |
197 | — | — | 93 | 125 | 120 | 7 | 15 | 18 | 37 | 10 | 21 | 15 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | SW 6 | SSW 7 | S 6 | — | — | SSW 6 | — | NE 4 | ENE 6 | SW 3 | — | — | SE 4 |
457 | 952 | 1342 | 958 | 1113 | 1209 | 1275 | 896 | 88 | 191 | 94 | — | — | 57 | — | 12 | 45 | 4 | — | — | 4 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 249 | 273 | 34 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 54 | 239 | 435 | 52 | 0 | 21 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 24 | 0 | 52 | 129 | 52 |
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.











