
Surf Forecasts:
Bonza Bay surf forecast from 6 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 6 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 18s period, S swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 18s period, S swell with 5,250 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 6 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 18s 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 (Sep 06) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 9s. 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 3.0m 18s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 11PM. 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 Sunday (Sep 13) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bonza Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Bonza Bay.
Right off the bat, things are pretty flat. We’re looking at a long, quiet spell with poor conditions hanging around from Sunday the 6th right through to at least Tuesday the 8th. The water’s sitting at 67°, which is bang on average for this time of year, so nothing unusual there. The first real sniff of something rideable doesn’t show until Wednesday morning the 9th, with a small 1.3m swell from the east at 9 seconds. That’s about 4 ft. It’s marginal, with light cross-onshore wind and a combined wave energy of 325 (moderate). You might get a few crumbly little waves, but it’s not going to set the world on fire. Crowds are sometimes a thing here, so you won’t be completely alone if you paddle out, but it’s nothing special.
Jump ahead to Saturday the 12th, and we see a jump in size – 2.5m from the east-southeast, but the period is short at 8 seconds. That’s about 8 ft. The wind is fresh and cross-shore, so expect lumpy, messy lines. The wave energy is strong at 1480, but the quality is poor. This is more of a grunt session for the die-hards.
Now, here’s where it gets worth circling on the calendar. Sunday the 13th brings a 2.5m east swell with a 9-second period and light cross-shore wind. The combined energy is a very strong 2490, and the morning session is marginal but workable. Then in the afternoon, the wind swings west-southwest at 30 km/h, becoming cross-offshore, and the swell drops slightly to 2.1m from the east. That afternoon session is clean, with a strong 1143 energy. This is the standout for the first week. If you can get out there Sunday afternoon, the river mouth could be offering up some nice little peaks.
The following week brings a few more options, but they’re less certain. Thursday the 17th has a solid 2.5m swell from the south-southwest with a 9-second period and nice light cross-shore breezes. Energy is strong at 1822, and it’s got potential. Friday the 18th morning is similar, 2.5m from the south-southeast, also with gentle cross-shore wind and strong energy at 1071. These are promising but a bit further out.
Then on Saturday the 19th, we have a big 3.5m east swell with a 10-second period and a cross-offshore west-southwest wind at 40 km/h, making the conditions clean. The combined energy is a massive 1993. But here’s the thing – this swell is too big for Bonza Bay. It’s only for experts, and even then, it’s going to be heavy and challenging. It’s noted as being too big for this break, so unless you’re a real charger, sit this one out.
All in all, Sunday the 13th afternoon is your best bet – clean conditions with a solid, workable east swell. For the long-range crew, keep an eye on the 17th and 18th.
– Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Tue morning, min 17°C on Sun morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NE on Mon afternoon, light winds from the NNE by Tue morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Fri night. Warm (max 30°C on Wed morning, min 18°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the E on Wed morning, fresh winds from the ENE by Fri night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | |||||||||||||||
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 23 | SSW 20 | S 17 | S 15 | S 14 | S 11 | E 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SW 6 | SSW 16 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
623 | 1786 | 4845 | 2107 | 1281 | 229 | 432 | 108 | 83 | 257 | 251 | 263 | 34 | 98 | 192 | 183 | 151 | 558 | 746 | 850 | 1337 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 3:57PM2.13m | 4:11AM2.00m | 4:28PM2.13m | 4:39AM1.98m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 9:42AM0.27m | 10:06PM0.29m | 10:11AM0.24m | 10:34PM0.30m | ||||||||
6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | |
— | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:57 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | 7 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 26 | 24 | 23 | 30 | 27 | 25 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 20 |
Feels °C | 16 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 30 | 26 | 25 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | SSW 20 | S 17 | S 15 | S 14 | S 11 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SSE 7 | E 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 11 | E 9 |
245 | 1786 | 4845 | 2107 | 1281 | 229 | 432 | 393 | 347 | 257 | 251 | 263 | 162 | 132 | 106 | 99 | 83 | 558 | 613 | 89 | 996 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 23 | S 10 | — | — | — | SSW 13 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSW 16 | S 6 | ENE 10 | SSW 13 | E 9 | E 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 |
623 | 198 | — | — | — | 229 | 198 | 108 | 83 | 57 | 49 | 17 | 17 | 98 | 43 | 94 | 151 | 78 | 54 | 85 | 745 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 13 | S 13 | — | — | — | — | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SSE 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SE 13 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 21 | S 11 |
18 | 121 | — | — | — | — | 66 | 50 | 27 | 11 | 12 | 46 | 15 | 13 | 192 | 183 | 6 | 56 | 67 | 34 | 59 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | E 10 | E 9 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SW 3 | SW 6 | SSW 5 | S 6 | — | SE 7 | — | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 9 |
125 | 198 | 201 | 186 | 385 | 406 | 642 | 642 | 528 | 615 | 423 | 3 | 34 | 25 | 66 | — | 103 | — | 746 | 850 | 1337 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 455 | 455 | 455 | 435 | 435 | 99 | 19 | 249 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 129 | 129 | 404 | 321 | 273 | 435 | 0 |
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.










