
Surf Forecasts:
Bonza Bay surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 14 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, E swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 19 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 11s period, E swell with 4,568 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s 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 Monday (Sep 14) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 14s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 9s is also forecast. 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 4.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 19) 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 1.1m 10s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 17) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Sat 19th Sep) | 15ft (4.5m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bonza Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming our way over the next couple of weeks.
We’ve got a bit of a wait for the good stuff. The first proper swell window kicks off Monday morning, but it’s a messy start. The water at our first spot is sitting at 63°F, which is a solid 5°F colder than normal for this time of year – that’s a noticeable chill, so you’ll want a good steamer.
Monday morning (14th September) is a washout for me. Bonza Bay is an exposed river mouth, and we’ve got a 12ft easterly swell with a 10-second period, but that’s way too much juice. The wind is a cross-shore from the ENE at 12 mph, creating a lumpy cross-chop. The combined swell energy is a massive 3995 (strong to very strong), and it’s just too big for this break. The afternoon glass-off is a heartbreaker – the wind drops to nothing, glassy conditions, and it’s still a 10ft swell. Same problem, too big to be any fun.
Tuesday morning (15th) comes in smaller, dropping to 6ft from the east at 11 seconds. But the wind has shifted to a cross-onshore from the SSE at 6 mph, and the reading is marginal. The combined energy is down to 857 (moderate). It’s not a total loss, but it’s not the pick. By Tuesday afternoon, it’s choppy and poor.
Wednesday (16th) is a write-off – strong cross-shore winds, rain, and a lot of lumpy, choppy mess. This pattern of poor conditions carries on right through until Saturday the 19th. We’ve got a run of lumpy, cross-onshore wind and rain, with swell sizes fluctuating between 4ft and 12ft. Nothing is clean.
Now, Saturday afternoon (19th September) is the standout of the whole forecast. The swell is still a solid 12ft from the east-southeast with an 11-second period, but the wind swings to a moderate cross-shore from the ENE at 16 mph. The combined energy is a very strong 3251. The wind and tide are favorable here, and while it’s big, if you’re an experienced surfer, this is where you want to be. It’s an exposed river mouth, so the size will handle the period well, and the cross-shore wind tidies things up. The crowds can be around at times, so get in early.
Sunday (20th) is a step down. The wind is light cross-onshore, and the swell drops to 8ft. It’s marginal, better for a longboard. After that, we get another stretch of messy conditions. Monday 21st sees a big south swell at 10ft with a 9-second period, but the wind is a strong cross-shore from the SW at 28 mph. It’s a kite-surfing setup more than a paddle-surfing one, with that much wind and chop.
The second week is quiet. Tuesday 22nd to Sunday 27th offers small, marginal swells between 3ft and 6ft, mostly with cross-onshore or lumpy winds. The water is cold and the energy is low – combined energy stays under 800 the whole time. Nothing to get excited about. Monday 28th and Tuesday 29th round out a frustrating finish with choppy, cross-onshore wind and small, weak swell.
So, to put it simply: the only real shot you’ve got is Saturday afternoon (19th September) at Bonza Bay for the bigger, cleaner east swell. Get out there if you can handle the size. The rest of the window is a mixed bag of wind, rain, and messy surf. Stay patient.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 23mm), heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 24°C on Mon night, min 15°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon afternoon, fresh winds from the SW by Wed afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 104mm), heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 21°C on Sat night, min 13°C on Thu morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the E on Fri afternoon, light winds from the NW by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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) | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 7 | E 10 | S 8 | SE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | E 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | SSW 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
2207 | 1724 | 1458 | 795 | 578 | 441 | 279 | 339 | 206 | 542 | 531 | 865 | 845 | 1456 | 1505 | 2725 | 3150 | 2855 | 1508 | 1040 | 1178 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:24PM1.99m | 5:33AM1.83m | 5:49PM1.86m | 5:59AM1.71m | 6:14PM1.72m | 6:26AM1.58m | 6:39PM1.57m | 6:57AM1.43m | 7:08PM1.41m | 7:52AM1.28m | 8:16PM1.26m | 12:06PM1.26m | 00:25AM1.29m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:07AM0.33m | 11:28PM0.43m | 11:34AM0.44m | 11:56PM0.53m | 12:01PM0.57m | 00:24AM0.66m | 12:29PM0.73m | 00:55AM0.79m | 1:01PM0.89m | 1:39AM0.93m | 1:59PM1.06m | 4:01AM1.04m | 6:26PM1.07m | ||||||||
6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | |
— | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | |
mm | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 19 | 7 | 15 | 32 | 15 | 6 | 19 | 7 | — | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Temp °C | 22 | 22 | 24 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 |
Feels °C | 22 | 21 | 25 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 8 | SSE 8 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 14 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 |
1601 | 1724 | 1458 | 795 | 578 | 441 | 279 | 239 | 131 | 238 | 531 | 313 | 164 | 128 | 93 | 163 | 3150 | 1873 | 1508 | 1040 | 520 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSE 6 | E 10 | ENE 10 | — | — | — | SSW 15 | — | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | — |
187 | 131 | 72 | 62 | 39 | 33 | 162 | 84 | 82 | 164 | 255 | — | — | — | 87 | — | 101 | 57 | 33 | 23 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SSW 5 | SSW 14 | S 11 | — | E 10 | SSW 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 14 | SSW 17 | — |
— | — | — | — | 3 | 20 | 2 | — | 206 | 339 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 21 | 59 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | — | S 8 | SE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | — | E 11 | — | SW 4 | SSW 9 |
2207 | — | — | — | — | — | 111 | 339 | — | 542 | 492 | 865 | 845 | 1456 | 1505 | 2725 | — | 2855 | — | 15 | 1178 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 107 | 0 | 0 | 52 | 99 | 0 | 404 | 492 | 129 | 249 | 455 | 456 | 420 | 404 | 330 | 492 | 492 | 18 | 5 | 19 | 23 |
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.










