Surf Forecasts:
Bonza Bay surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 3 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 3 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, SSE swell with 984 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 10s period with SSW 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 30) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 10s period. 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 3.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 03) 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 1.6m 10s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sun 30th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 2PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bonza Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it for this stretch of the coast. It’s a pretty quiet start, but don’t write it off just yet.
We’re looking at a real shortage of quality surf for the first week and a half. The opening days from Saturday the 29th of August right through to the 7th of September are mostly a write-off. You’ll see some small waves, but the wind is junk – cross-shore, cross-on, and onshore all the way. The odd bit of swell pops up, but it’s paired with poor conditions. The combined energy is weak to moderate, hovering between 149 and 522 (moderate) for most of that, but it just doesn’t line up with decent wind. It’s a frustrating gap. There’s a slight flicker of hope on Wednesday the 2nd of September morning when the swell bumps up to 5ft from the SSW with a long 14-second period, and the wind is light, giving us a cross-on breeze. The combined energy jumps to 814 (strong), but the score is still marginal. It’s not the cleanest, but it’s the best of a bad lot. The water temperature is sitting at 65°, which is a bit colder than usual for this time of year (anomaly of -1°).
Then the real change comes. Sunday the 6th of September morning shows some promise. The swell is up to 6ft from the S, with a long 13-second period, and a gentle cross-shore breeze from the ENE. The combined energy is a solid 1158 (strong). It’s still only a marginal call, but that’s the standout in the whole run. It’s the biggest, cleanest window we get. Given the size (6ft), it’s a bit much for beginners, but it’s not out of reach for a keen intermediate. The long period will make it more powerful, and with the cross-shore wind, it should be reasonably clean.
The rest of the second week stays messy. The morning of Thursday the 11th of September is worth a mention, with glassy conditions and a 4ft swell from the SW, but the period is a short 6 seconds, so the waves will be weak and crumbly. The combined energy is only 129 (weak). It’s surfable, but nothing to get excited about.
So, to sum it up: the first 8 days are a knot of poor wind and small, messy swell. The one true standout is early on Sunday the 6th of September. If you’re looking for a paddle, that’s your moment. Everything else is a case of “maybe next time.”
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Warm (max 34°C on Sat afternoon, min 15°C on Sun afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Sat night, calm by Mon morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue afternoon, min 16°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the S on Wed morning, strong winds from the SSE by Thu night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | ||||||||||||||
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 11 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | SSW 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 6 | SSE 8 | S 8 | SSW 14 | S 8 | S 12 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 133 | 92 | 111 | 249 | 198 | 154 | 145 | 115 | 151 | 235 | 326 | 721 | 732 | 400 | 325 | 984 | 211 | 247 | 338 | 449 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 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 | 6:59AM1.63m | 7:27PM1.69m | 7:54AM1.47m | 8:39PM1.51m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 12:59PM0.65m | 1:42AM0.77m | 1:55PM0.83m | 3:05AM0.92m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  |  | |  | | | |  | | | |  |  |  | |  | |
 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — |
 | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — |
mm | — | — | 3 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 11 | 2 | — | — |
Temp °C | 34 | 20 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
Feels °C | 30 | 17 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | E 8 | ENE 9 | SE 7 | S 7 | S 8 | S 12 |
| kJ | 610 | 410 | 147 | 147 | 198 | 154 | 145 | 115 | 151 | 133 | 326 | 721 | 732 | 400 | 36 | 25 | 211 | 205 | 338 | 449 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 11 | S 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 13 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | S 8 | E 4 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | E 9 | SSW 6 | E 8 | E 9 | ENE 8 | E 9 | S 8 | SSW 14 | E 9 | E 9 |
| kJ | 133 | 61 | 37 | 16 | 173 | 65 | 43 | 9 | 151 | 235 | 76 | 42 | 52 | 39 | 55 | 38 | 191 | 247 | 123 | 151 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 10 | SSE 14 | SW 12 | SSE 10 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SW 12 | S 7 | S 7 | SSE 7 | S 7 | E 8 | — | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | SSW 16 | E 9 | ESE 7 | S 15 |
| kJ | 16 | 18 | 6 | 10 | 27 | 11 | 35 | 25 | 14 | 9 | 1 | 51 | — | 2 | 3 | 3 | 83 | 44 | 43 | 153 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | SSW 9 | — | — | ESE 3 | ENE 4 | — | — | SW 4 | — | — | — | S 6 | SSE 8 | — | ESE 7 | — | — |
| kJ | 1275 | 92 | 111 | 249 | — | — | 3 | 15 | — | — | 12 | — | — | — | 325 | 984 | — | 220 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 435 | 52 | 52 | 52 | 0 | 47 | 99 | 0 | 0 | 129 | 25 | 52 | 404 | 204 | 52 | 810 | 1848 | 921 | 885 | 404 |
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.
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