
Surf Forecasts:
Bonza Bay surf forecast from 23 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 11s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 11s period, SSW swell with 2,714 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 24 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 11s 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 Friday (Jul 24) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 2.5m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 11s is also forecast. 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 3.5m 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 1.9m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 26) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bonza Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the table for the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, we're looking at Bonza Bay. This river mouth setup is exposed to the south, and the first session worth paddling out for is Friday morning, the 24th of July. That's a big fella though – a solid 10ft SSW swell with a 12-second period, generating a massive combined energy of 4175. That's a lot of power. The wind is WSW at 12 mph, which is cross-offshore, keeping things clean. But listen, at 10ft, this is only for the experienced crew. Beginners need to stay on the beach for this one. The water is sitting at 63°, which is a massive 5° colder than normal for this time of year – so don't forget a thick steamer.
The standout of the whole forecast comes on Saturday morning, the 25th of July. We've got a 4ft groundswell from the SSW, with a very long period of 14 seconds and moderate combined energy of 1055. The wind is glassy – dead calm – from the SSW at just 3 mph. This is about as clean as it gets. The long period makes it better suited for the river mouth here than a beach break, so you're in luck. The waves will have shape and energy, with long gaps between sets making the paddle out easy. It's a clear winner for experienced surfers, but the 4ft size is also totally manageable for intermediates. Crowds are possible here at times, but on a Saturday morning with that quality, expect plenty of company.
After that, things get messy. Saturday afternoon sees a cross-on breeze, and from Sunday the 26th through to Wednesday the 5th of August, we hit a long stretch of poor surf. The winds get strong and cross-shore, and the quality drops right off. There's over a week of dodgy conditions, so don't hold your breath.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel though. On Wednesday afternoon, the 5th of August, we get a reprieve. The wind swings to NNW at 6 mph, which is offshore, and the 4ft ESE swell is clean. The energy is moderate at 607, but the offshore wind will make it rideable. This is a decent option for a mid-week session.
Then, on Thursday morning, the 6th of August, we get another big pulse. A 11ft SE swell with a 9-second period and combined energy of 2052. The wind is SW at 9 mph, making it cross-shore. That's a massive wave, and at 11ft, it's experts-only territory again. The short period means it'll be a bit on the wall, but the sheer size will be intimidating.
The real pick of the whole window is that Saturday morning, the 25th of July. Glassy, clean, long-period groundswell. Don't miss it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Thu night, calm by Fri night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 42mm), heaviest during Tue afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Sun afternoon, min 15°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
418 | 2714 | 2568 | 1762 | 936 | 651 | 485 | 632 | 318 | 258 | 371 | 294 | 206 | 366 | 913 | 860 | 734 | 744 | 724 | 531 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 11:31PM1.50m | 12:30PM1.39m | 00:52AM1.53m | 1:41PM1.48m | 1:48AM1.61m | 2:28PM1.59m | 2:30AM1.69m | 3:03PM1.70m | 3:04AM1.77m | 3:34PM1.80m | 3:36AM1.84m | 4:03PM1.89m | 4:06AM1.90m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:32PM1.01m | 6:10AM0.99m | 6:18PM1.01m | 7:23AM0.90m | 7:32PM0.94m | 8:10AM0.79m | 8:21PM0.85m | 8:46AM0.68m | 8:59PM0.76m | 9:18AM0.58m | 9:33PM0.67m | 9:48AM0.50m | 10:04PM0.59m | |||||||
— | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | |
5:23 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | |
mm | — | 9 | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 7 | 19 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
Temp °C | 19 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 16 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | SSW 11 | S 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | ENE 8 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 7 | SSW 16 | SSE 9 | SSW 14 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 9 |
110 | 1518 | 575 | 1762 | 936 | 307 | 272 | 632 | 318 | 258 | 151 | 294 | 206 | 96 | 679 | 860 | 734 | 555 | 482 | 411 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | SE 11 | SSW 18 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SE 9 | SE 9 | S 16 | SSW 14 | ENE 8 | E 8 | SSW 14 | E 9 | SSW 15 | S 9 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 |
40 | 64 | 972 | 202 | 277 | 651 | 485 | 202 | 95 | 183 | 371 | 109 | 48 | 366 | 25 | 596 | 201 | 744 | 724 | 531 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | E 10 | E 10 | S 16 | SE 8 | SE 8 | — | S 16 | SSW 18 | — | E 9 | E 9 | SE 11 | SE 11 | ESE 11 |
58 | 13 | 60 | 56 | 29 | 97 | 2 | 2 | 183 | 35 | 11 | — | 132 | 249 | — | 14 | 24 | 19 | 19 | 151 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | — | — | — | — | NE 4 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | — | SW 5 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | SSE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | — | — | — |
418 | 2714 | 2568 | — | — | — | — | 14 | 20 | 134 | — | 51 | 123 | 153 | 913 | 352 | 504 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 52 | 190 | 52 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 99 | 22 | 99 | 249 | 0 | 129 | 237 | 0 | 23 | 904 | 492 | 404 | 456 | 435 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape - Wild Coast | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.










