
Surf Forecasts:
Bonza Bay surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period, SSW swell with 2,116 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 10s. 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 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 26) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bonza Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s on offer for the next couple of weeks. We’re keeping it real, just the way it is.
The forecast kicks off with a bit of a mixed bag, but there’s a genuine standout hiding in there if you’re patient. The first week has some bumpy moments, but we’ve got a couple of mornings that are going to be worth setting the alarm for. The second week looks a lot quieter, so don’t sleep on the best days.
Monday morning the 20th sees a solid 7ft SW swell (1903 combined energy), but it’s coming in with a cross-off wind. There’s potential, but it’s a bit raw and the tides might mess with it. The afternoon drops off fast. Not the one.
Tuesday morning the 21st is where it starts to get interesting. We’ve got 4ft of SE swell with an 11-second period, and the wind is glassy. That’s a huge plus – you’ll be looking at clean, lined-up waves. Energy is moderate (696). This is a solid shout for a session.
Wednesday the 22nd is a bit of a letdown. The swell is there, but it’s mixed up and the wind is side-shore. The waves will be small and messy. Not worth rushing for.
Thursday the 23rd is a write-off. Strong onshore winds and a short, choppy 6ft to 6ft swell. The sort of day you check the forecast and decide to do something else. The combined energy is moderate (558-581), but the quality is poor.
Now, here’s the big one. Friday morning the 24th is the standout. We’re looking at a 6ft S swell rolling in with an 11-second period, and the wind is glassy. That’s a clean, powerful combination. The combined energy is strong (1204). This is a session for surfers who can handle a bit of size and power. It’s excellent for experienced surfers. The offshore wind is a proper gift.
Saturday morning the 25th is another good one. Smaller at 4ft, but the wind is calm and glassy. The swell is from the SSW with a nice long 14-second period (805 energy). This is a clean, fun morning for a wider range of abilities. The crowds might show up, but it’s worth it.
Sunday the 26th onward, things get rough. The wind comes up, the swell drops, and the quality tanks. The 27th sees strong cross-shore winds and a messy sea. The 28th has a 7ft SSW swell, but it’s onshore and short-period. Not good.
The 29th, 30th, and 31st are all poor to marginal. The wind is consistently strong and cross-shore, making for lumpy, choppy conditions. The swell is there but it’s ugly. The combined energy varies from moderate to strong (812-1207), but the wind ruins it.
The first week of August is a real snoozer. The swell drops to under 3ft, and the energy is weak (62-169). The wind is mostly cross-off, but there’s just no power in the water. It’s the kind of dead period we get sometimes.
So, to sum it up: your best bet is Friday morning the 24th for the biggest, cleanest, most powerful swell. A close second is Saturday morning the 25th for a cleaner, slightly smaller session. The rest of the window is either bumpy, messy, or flat. Get out there on those two mornings and you’ll be happy.
Rusty, out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Wed afternoon, min 14°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed night, min 15°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Wed night, calm by Sat morning). | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SE 12 | SW 10 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 11 | S 11 | SSW 16 | S 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
723 | 906 | 565 | 478 | 403 | 392 | 826 | 454 | 276 | 313 | 253 | 370 | 2116 | 828 | 929 | 1505 | 651 | 492 | 632 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 18 |
Feels °C | 15 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 |
723 | 634 | 565 | 478 | 403 | 331 | 826 | 454 | 276 | 313 | 193 | 101 | 1211 | 828 | 564 | 1505 | 651 | 492 | 632 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SE 11 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SE 11 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 |
31 | 332 | 175 | 183 | 203 | 392 | 325 | 282 | 212 | 169 | 112 | 110 | 63 | 333 | 929 | 18 | 137 | 125 | 61 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | E 10 | S 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 11 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 6 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | SE 11 | SE 11 | E 11 | SE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 |
31 | 31 | 76 | 51 | 90 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 19 | 49 | 40 | 28 | 8 | 43 | 30 | 2 | 17 | 10 | 10 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 9 | SW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 4 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 11 | — | — | NNE 3 | — | — | — |
186 | 906 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 21 | 253 | 370 | 2116 | — | — | 8 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 23 | 52 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 138 | 0 | 19 | 19 | 52 | 239 | 52 | 23 | 0 | 124 | 24 | 0 | 19 | 24 |
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.










