Surf Forecasts:
Bonza Bay surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 11s period, SW swell with 2,371 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 14s 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 Thursday (Aug 20) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 14s period. 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 3.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bonza Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’re looking at a solid 16-day window for Bonza Bay, but don’t get too excited yet – there’s a bit of a rough patch to sit through before we see any real potential.
The overall pattern is a bit of a mixed bag. We’ve got some moderate to strong swell energy on the horizon, but the wind is going to be a problem for the first week and a half. The water temperature is sitting at 64°, which is a couple of degrees cooler than what we’d expect for this time of year – so you’ll definitely want a decent wetsuit. It’s not a total write-off, but patience is going to be key.
The first real highlight doesn’t come until Wednesday afternoon, the 2nd of September. That’s about a two-week gap from now with no good surf. The morning of the 2nd is still marginal, but the afternoon session is where it’s at. The wind will go glassy, and we’ll see a 5ft swell coming from the East with a period of 9 seconds. The combined energy will be moderate (579), and the glassy conditions will be a major positive – the waves will be clean and smooth. This is the best on offer for the whole period and a true standout.
Following that, we’ve got more size but messier conditions. On Thursday the 3rd of September, we’re looking at stronger swell. The morning will see a 8ft SSW swell with a 12-second period, and the afternoon picks up to 8ft from the same direction with a 13-second period. The combined energy will be strong, hitting 1613 in the morning and a very strong 2626 in the afternoon. However, the wind is going to be a cross-shore breeze, which will create some chop. At 8ft, this is expert-only territory, so leave the foam boards at home. The long period (13 seconds) means there will be plenty of push and those longer lulls between sets, which can make paddling out easier, but it might break a bit straight across the beach.
For the rest of the window, it’s mostly poor surf with strong winds and messy conditions. There are a few days with marginal surf, but nothing to write home about. The first week is a write-off, so save your energy for that glassy session on the 2nd of September.
This is Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Wed morning, min 15°C on Thu morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Wed night, calm by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sat morning, min 15°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Sat afternoon, calm by Mon morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 8 | SW 10 | SSW 11 | S 13 | S 14 | S 15 | S 17 | S 15 | S 13 | SSW 12 | S 19 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 663 | 563 | 373 | 276 | 1859 | 1073 | 519 | 425 | 284 | 330 | 837 | 1828 | 933 | 1751 | 1483 | 1169 | 1467 | 522 | 764 | 589 | 1800 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 7:38PM1.60m | 7:47AM1.43m | 8:23PM1.45m | 9:02AM1.30m | 10:17PM1.34m | 12:22PM1.30m | 00:43AM1.39m | 1:40PM1.43m | 1:43AM1.50m | 2:17PM1.58m | 2:20AM1.63m | 2:46PM1.72m | 2:50AM1.74m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:14PM0.75m | 1:49AM0.88m | 1:53PM0.90m | 2:50AM1.00m | 3:07PM1.05m | 5:23AM1.04m | 6:17PM1.07m | 7:15AM0.93m | 7:39PM0.95m | 7:59AM0.79m | 8:18PM0.81m | 8:30AM0.65m | 8:48PM0.68m | ||||||||
 | |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — |
 | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 21 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 18 |
Feels °C | 20 | 21 | 12 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | ENE 6 | S 12 | S 14 | SSW 10 | SSW 11 | S 13 | S 14 | S 15 | S 17 | S 15 | S 13 | SSW 12 | S 19 |
| kJ | 663 | 563 | 373 | 172 | 1859 | 1073 | 519 | 425 | 112 | 330 | 192 | 947 | 933 | 1751 | 1483 | 1169 | 1467 | 522 | 764 | 589 | 1800 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 6 | E 8 | SSW 12 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | — | S 12 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | S 10 | E 9 | S 22 | SSW 11 |
| kJ | 60 | 43 | 66 | 276 | 21 | 12 | 12 | — | 284 | 79 | 22 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 198 | 6 | 37 | 214 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 9 | — | ENE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 10 | — | E 9 | — |
| kJ | — | 56 | — | 23 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | 6 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 3 | — | SSW 6 | — | — | — | — | ENE 3 | ENE 6 | SW 6 | SSW 8 | SW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 4 |
| kJ | 2 | — | 107 | — | — | — | — | 9 | 225 | 150 | 837 | 1828 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 28 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 19 | 24 | 239 | 23 | 4 | 0 | 19 | 455 | 22 | 321 | 435 | 168 | 52 | 23 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 27 | 404 | 435 |
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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