Surf Forecasts:
Fish Boma surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, SSW swell with 4,232 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Fish Boma this week:
The surf forecast for Fish Boma 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 3.0m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Fish Boma in the next 16 days are 3.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fish Boma over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s happening at Fish Boma. It's a reef break, exposed to the south, so it grabs whatever swell is running.
We’ve got a wild couple of weeks coming up. First thing you need to know—the water is freezing. It’s 57 °F right now, which is a massive 6 °F colder than normal for this time of year. You’ll want the thickest wetsuit you’ve got.
Right out of the gate, Thursday the 20th has a solid 12 ft SSW swell with an energy reading of 4801 (strong), but the wind is a light cross-onshore. It’s messy. That drops to 10 ft from the SW in the afternoon with still heavy energy. Friday the 21st is smaller at 7 ft, but the wind turns cross-shore. The whole weekend through the 22nd and into the 23rd is pretty blown out with onshore winds and chop.
Our first real clean window comes on Wednesday morning the 26th of August. The swell is down to 5 ft from the SW, but the wind goes light and cross-offshore from the east. The data says “clean,” and I agree. The energy is moderate at 1237. It’s a smaller window, but the reef will have some nice lines for the intermediate crew.
Looking further out, the real gem is on Wednesday morning the 2nd of September. The wind is dead calm, glassy, and we’ve got an 8 ft SW groundswell with a 14-second period and 2623 (strong) energy. This is a proper, powerful wave for experienced surfers only. That long period means it will have serious punch and longer lulls between sets.
Another little highlight: Friday the 4th of September kicks off with glassy conditions and a tiny 4 ft SSW swell—could be a fun little dawny on the log if the crowd is okay.
The standout is crystal clear: mark your calendar for Wednesday the 2nd of September. That glassy, 8 ft groundswell is your best bet. The Wednesday the 26th window is a good backup for the shorter term.
Wrap up warm, Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | |||||||||||||||
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 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
4794 | 3543 | 1914 | 1250 | 644 | 460 | 739 | 594 | 1256 | 1326 | 1193 | 1118 | 773 | 638 | 2185 | 2557 | 1665 | 789 | 864 | 646 | 549 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:20PM1.16m | 9:23AM1.00m | 10:47PM1.07m | 12:37PM1.04m | 00:51AM1.16m | 1:37PM1.19m | 1:41AM1.29m | 2:11PM1.34m | 2:15AM1.43m | 2:39PM1.49m | 2:44AM1.55m | 3:06PM1.63m | 3:12AM1.65m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:47PM0.68m | 2:58AM0.75m | 3:17PM0.82m | 6:04AM0.77m | 6:39PM0.79m | 7:27AM0.63m | 7:40PM0.65m | 8:02AM0.49m | 8:15PM0.51m | 8:30AM0.35m | 8:44PM0.38m | 8:56AM0.23m | 9:11PM0.26m | ||||||||
7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | |
— | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 15 | 25 | 27 | 24 |
Feels °C | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 23 | 25 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
4794 | 3543 | 1914 | 1250 | 644 | 460 | 739 | 594 | 1256 | 1326 | 1193 | 1118 | 773 | 638 | 2185 | 2557 | 1665 | 769 | 864 | 646 | 549 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 7 | E 8 | WSW 15 | SW 13 | — | SE 11 | SSW 15 | — | — | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 |
7 | 14 | 6 | 6 | 347 | 303 | 31 | 181 | 1 | 142 | 88 | — | 4 | 123 | — | — | 724 | 789 | 144 | 121 | 84 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 5 | ESE 5 | E 8 | — | E 8 | — | — | — | SE 10 | — | — | — | — | — | S 15 | S 15 |
— | — | — | — | — | 48 | 5 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 17 | 104 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | ESE 4 | E 6 | WSW 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 4 | ESE 6 | E 7 | — | W 3 |
— | — | — | — | 13 | 85 | 84 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 25 | 111 | 229 | — | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3 | 16 | 0 | 3 | 332 | 1 | 3 | 40 | 1 | 16 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Garden Route | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Fish Boma Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Fish Boma provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Fish Boma can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Fish Boma 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 (Fish Boma) 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 Fish Boma 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.
Are you planning a holiday in Garden Route? If you are looking for accommodation near Fish Boma, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Garden Route, consider staying in Knysna which is 10 km (6 miles) away. Other places in and around Garden Route where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Plettenberg Bay which is 39 km (24 miles) away, George, Mossel Bay and Oudtshoorn.











