Surf Forecasts:
Bonza Bay surf forecast from 8 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 14 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, E swell with 1,738 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Bonza Bay this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Bonza Bay in the next 16 days are 3.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 14) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 9s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 10) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Mon 14th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bonza Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down the next couple of weeks at Bonza Bay.
First up, the ocean’s running at about 65°F, which is a degree or so cooler than what you’d normally expect at this time of year. Nothing crazy, just a little crisp.
Honestly, the outlook is pretty bleak for a while. The whole first week is a dud. On Tuesday afternoon the 8th of September, there’s a tiny 0.7ft S swell, but with a 12 mph cross-shore wind kicking up, conditions are poor. The wave energy is weak (148), and you’re better off staying dry.
Wednesday morning the 9th sees a 2ft E swell at 9 seconds, but again the wind is cross-shore. The combined energy reaches (380), but it’s still a marginal call. The rest of that week and into the weekend is just a mess of strong winds, lumpy water, and occasional swell that’s blown to bits. Saturday the 12th has a 2ft E swell, but it’s getting hammered by 19 mph cross-onshore winds. The energy is (417), but the quality is zero. This pattern of poor surf continues without any real recommendation all the way through the 20th.
There’s a long gap here—days and days with no good options.
Finally, on Monday the 21st of September, things get interesting. The swell builds to 7ft from the SSW with a very long 20-second period. The combined energy spikes to (3163)—that’s a ton of power. The wind is a light SW cross-shore, keeping the surface clean. That Monday afternoon looks even better: a 7ft SSW swell at 19 seconds, with combined energy at (3560), and the wind drops to barely 3 mph from the ENE. That’s almost glassy.
A 7ft swell with a 19-second period is a proper groundswell. For a river break like Bonza Bay, that long period can make the waves run a bit straight and fast, so you’ll want a board that can handle some speed. At that size, it’s expert territory—far above beginner-friendly, and even intermediate surfers will need to be on their game. The upside? Clean, long-period lines with plenty of time to paddle out between sets.
So, keep your eyes on that 21st of September Monday window. It’s a long way out, so the forecast could shift, but right now, it’s the only real highlight in an otherwise quiet stretch.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Wed morning, min 19°C on Thu morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the NE on Wed morning, fresh winds from the SSW by Thu afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Mon morning, min 17°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSE on Fri afternoon, strong winds from the ENE by Mon morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 10 | SSE 10 | E 9 | SSE 10 | SW 14 | E 9 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | E 9 | ENE 5 | E 6 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 98 | 110 | 311 | 32 | 46 | 235 | 121 | 348 | 173 | 96 | 85 | 77 | 263 | 433 | 520 | 638 | 461 | 985 | 1738 | 792 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 2:12PM1.81m | 2:31AM1.81m | 2:51PM1.97m | 3:07AM1.91m | 3:25PM2.08m | 3:40AM1.98m | 3:57PM2.13m | 4:11AM2.00m | 4:28PM2.13m | 4:39AM1.98m | 4:56PM2.08m | 5:07AM1.92m | 5:24PM1.99m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:28PM0.54m | 8:38AM0.45m | 9:04PM0.41m | 9:11AM0.34m | 9:36PM0.32m | 9:42AM0.27m | 10:06PM0.29m | 10:11AM0.24m | 10:34PM0.30m | 10:39AM0.27m | 11:02PM0.35m | 11:07AM0.33m | 11:28PM0.43m | |||||||
 |  | | |  | | |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — |
 | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 23 | 30 | 28 | 25 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 21 |
Feels °C | 23 | 22 | 28 | 25 | 23 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | ENE 8 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | E 8 | E 8 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | E 10 |
| kJ | 316 | 290 | 311 | 326 | 318 | 235 | 173 | 141 | 115 | 86 | 68 | 64 | 50 | 433 | 520 | 428 | 461 | 137 | 92 | 792 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | S 7 | E 9 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | — | SW 13 | ESE 11 |
| kJ | 98 | 110 | 58 | 32 | 26 | 30 | 121 | 348 | 173 | 52 | 85 | 63 | 61 | 54 | 31 | 456 | 285 | — | 170 | 452 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSE 12 | SW 14 | SSE 10 | SSE 12 | SE 11 | S 6 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 50 | 26 | 11 | 15 | 46 | 18 | 13 | 5 | 17 | 96 | 82 | 9 | 43 | 27 | — | — | — | — | — | 45 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SW 4 | SSW 6 | SSW 5 | — | — | ENE 3 | ENE 5 | E 6 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | — | E 9 | E 10 | SW 4 |
| kJ | 560 | 516 | 576 | 566 | 589 | 21 | 99 | 14 | — | — | 3 | 77 | 263 | 275 | 371 | 638 | — | 985 | 1738 | 8 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 249 | 24 | 19 | 249 | 18 | 187 | 52 | 52 | 52 | 19 | 124 | 455 | 455 | 273 | 455 | 455 | 435 | 255 | 239 | 49 |
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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