Coffee Bay Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on the cards for Coffee Bay Point (South Africa). We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag over the next couple of weeks, so let’s break it down.

The window kicks off this Saturday with a real gem. We’re looking at clean, glassy conditions for the first session. Saturday morning is the standout of the whole period: a clean 4ft swell from the SSW with a very long 15-second period. That’s proper groundswell energy, and the water is about what you’d expect for this time of year. The combined swell energy is well and truly pumping at 1004 (moderate wave energy). It’s glassy and clean, with just a slight air moving. Saturday afternoon holds similar form – 4ft, still glassy, still excellent. This is the time to be out.

Sunday turns on us though. The wind swings to the NE, blowing at 9 to 19 mph, putting a nasty cross-on chop into the line-up. The swell drops off and the quality takes a real hit. It’s poor surf all day.

Monday gets a bit sloppy again. The wind is howling from the SSW at 22 to 25 mph. Even though the morning is 4ft and clean from a cross-off direction, those winds are just too strong for a good time. That afternoon session jumps to 8ft but with a horrible 7-second period, which is just a messy, fat windswell – not worth it.

Tuesday looks marginal. Light rain and choppy conditions are the story. There’s a lot of energy around (1606 and 1182 combined) but the onshore wind ruins any real quality. You could maybe find a wave, but it’s going to be a frustrating paddle.

Now, Wednesday morning the 29th is a standout for the more experienced crew. We get a proper 6ft SSW swell with a 15-second period and a clean offshore wind. The combined energy is pumping at 1609 (strong wave energy). It’s excellent for experienced surfers, but at this size and with that period, it’s a bit much for beginners. Wednesday arvo cleans up to 5ft and glassy again – a solid second option.

Thursday and Friday are poor. The swell moves to the ESE with shorter periods, and the NE wind just won’t let up. Choppy and messy, with onshore winds pushing things around. The swell gets big on Friday – 7ft – but no quality to back it up.

The weekend of August 1st and 2nd is interesting. Saturday is a write-off with strong cross-on winds and a lumpy 8ft ESE swell. That’s big, messy, and not for paddling. Sunday, August 2nd, turns into a real highlight for the experienced surfers. The wind drops, goes cross-off, and we get a clean 8 to 8ft set. The combined energy is massive at 2058 (very strong wave energy). This is powerful, long-period groundswell, but it’s best for reef and point setups. It’s going to be a heavy, demanding session – not your average Sunday cruise.

The following week is a bit of a letdown. The swell drops, the wind stays cross-on, and nothing really gets clean until the 7th of August. On the morning of Friday the 7th, we see a cleaner 3ft SSW groundswell with a 15-second period and glassy conditions. That’s a fun, long-period wave again. Saturday morning the 8th holds similar small, glassy conditions at 3ft.

But don’t get too excited for the weekend – Saturday afternoon jumps up to a lumpy, short-period 8ft mess. The 9th of August also looks heavy with 8ft SSW swell and a 12-second period, but with cross-on winds, it’s another day for experts only, if anyone.

In short: Saturday (25th) morning is the best on offer for clean, fun waves. Wednesday (29th) morning for the experienced surfers, and the Sunday of August 2nd for a true, heavy groundswell session if you’ve got the skills. The rest is a lot of waiting and picking through average conditions.

Stay stoked.
Rusty.

Read more