
Surf Forecasts:
Bonza Bay surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 21 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 14s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 16s period, S swell with 2,479 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 1.0m and 9s. 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 2.2m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) 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 2.4m 8s 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) | 5ft (1.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bonza Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s coming up at Bonza Bay.
First off, the water temp is 64°F – that’s about 4°F colder than normal, so grab a thick wetsuit. The surf starts off slow, but things get rolling from Monday morning.
Monday morning the 20th brings a 6ft SW swell, period around 10 seconds, with a cross-offshore breeze. The combined energy is strong at 1720, but it’s marginal – tide issues and just clean, not perfect. Not the best, but it’s something. Monday afternoon goes flat and poor.
Tuesday morning the 21st is the real deal. You’ve got a 4ft SE swell, 11-second period, and glassy conditions – that’s a huge win. The energy is moderate at 671, and the surf is clean. This is one of the best windows in the whole run for a smooth, clean session. The wind is off, the waves are tidy. Tuesday afternoon dies off.
Wednesday the 22nd and Thursday the 23rd are average – cross-shore winds, marginal surf, nothing special. Thursday has a 5ft SSW swell but a short 8-second period, so it won’t hold shape.
Friday the 24th morning has a 4ft SSW swell with a very long 18-second period – that’s real groundswell, and combined energy is 1712. The wind is cross-shore with a bit of chop, so it’s a little messy. This long period will work best at the river mouth, but it might break too straight across the beach. Worth a look if you’re patient. Friday afternoon jumps to 7ft S swell, 16 seconds, but the cross-onshore wind makes it choppy.
Saturday the 25th morning is another solid option: 5ft SSW swell, 15-second period, light cross-onshore breeze. The energy is 1119 – moderate to strong. Clean enough for a good session. Saturday afternoon gets blown out.
Sunday the 26th and Monday the 27th are small and messy. Monday morning the 27th has a 3ft SSW swell with 15-second period and a clean cross-offshore breeze – small but clean, if you’re keen.
Tuesday the 28th – the swell jumps to 8ft SSW on Tuesday morning, and 10ft by Tuesday afternoon. That’s too big for this break, especially with cross-shore wind. The comment says it’s too big for the spot. Only for experts, and even then, it’s risky. The energy is 1945 in the arvo – very strong.
Wednesday the 29th through Thursday the 30th have solid 7ft S and SSW swells, long periods, but strong cross-offshore winds (15–21 mph). The energy is high (1600–2035), but the wind is fresh. It’s clean, but big and windy – more of a kite surfing setup than a paddle session.
Friday the 31st morning is a hidden gem: 4ft S swell, 12-second period, light offshore breeze from the N at 6 mph. Clean conditions, moderate energy (582). This is a standout for a clean, fun session if you can get out.
Saturday the 1st of August – big swell again, 10ft to 12ft SSW, 10-second period, with offshore winds. The comment says it’s too big for this break. Only for the brave.
Sunday the 2nd of August holds 8ft SSW swell, 12-second period, cross-offshore wind at 18 mph. Energy is massive at 3691. Too big and windy for most.
Monday the 3rd and Tuesday the 4th drop to 7ft and 5ft SE swells, but the wind is cross or cross-off and fresh. Marginal.
The real standouts are Tuesday morning the 21st – glassy, clean, 4ft SE swell – and Friday morning the 31st – 4ft S swell with light offshore wind. Both are the best of the run. The rest is either too big, too windy, or just average.
If you’re after a kite session, the windy days from the 29th to the 2nd of August are your ticket.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Wed afternoon, min 14°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue morning, fresh winds from the WSW by Wed night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 15°C on Thu morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Thu night, light winds from the ENE by Sat morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 10 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 12 | SSW 8 | SSW 9 | SSW 11 | SSW 18 | S 16 | S 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
709 | 565 | 469 | 403 | 392 | 926 | 454 | 339 | 359 | 318 | 415 | 1051 | 983 | 2479 | 1450 | 1021 | 724 | 627 | 418 | 263 | 132 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 2:28PM1.59m | 2:30AM1.69m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 8:10AM0.79m | 8:21PM0.85m | ||||||||
7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | |
— | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 20 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 22 | 20 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 23 | 26 | 24 |
Feels °C | 13 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 21 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | E 8 | S 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | S 10 | S 16 | S 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | ENE 9 |
634 | 565 | 469 | 403 | 337 | 926 | 454 | 339 | 168 | 151 | 110 | 61 | 682 | 2479 | 1450 | 1021 | 724 | 627 | 418 | 263 | 404 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | S 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SE 11 | SE 12 | SE 12 | S 12 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SSW 18 | SE 11 | S 19 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SSW 12 |
346 | 76 | 183 | 203 | 392 | 283 | 282 | 212 | 359 | 79 | 41 | 7 | 983 | 30 | 365 | 82 | 80 | 55 | 42 | 23 | 113 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 11 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SE 12 | SE 12 | ESE 12 | S 21 | ESE 11 | NE 8 | SE 11 | SE 10 | E 10 | E 5 | — | — | S 16 |
31 | 17 | 17 | 65 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 172 | 112 | 91 | 9 | 47 | 10 | 29 | 16 | 2 | 12 | — | — | 132 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 10 | SSW 10 | — | — | — | — | ENE 4 | E 4 | WSW 3 | SSW 8 | SSW 9 | SSW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 9 |
709 | 175 | — | — | — | — | 9 | 19 | 6 | 318 | 415 | 1051 | — | — | — | — | — | 28 | 70 | 319 | 725 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 52 | 129 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 19 | 19 | 214 | 53 | 52 | 4 | 0 | 456 | 18 | 19 | 249 | 255 | 54 | 249 | 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.










