Surf Forecasts:
Fish Boma surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 12s period, SSW swell with 4,737 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 11PM (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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Fish Boma in the next 16 days are 4.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Friday (Aug 21) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fish Boma over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break this one down in the old numbers.
So the main spot through this whole run is Fish Boma, a reef break that takes a south swell straight on the chin. The water’s sitting at 58°F, which is about 5°F colder than the average for this time of year – that’s a proper chilly anomaly, so you’re in full winter kit territory.
The first couple of days, Tuesday 18th and Wednesday 19th, are kind of a write-off. The swell is there – 7ft to 8ft from the SW with decent energy – but the wind is cross-onshore and bumpy. You could go out, but it’s not going to be fun.
The first absolute standout is Thursday the 20th. Thursday morning is dead glassy, with a clean 12ft SSW swell on a 13-second period. The combined energy is 4109, which is serious power. This is an excellent session for experienced surfers only. Heavy reef, clean faces. This is the best morning of the whole forecast.
We have a couple of days of smaller, messier stuff, and then Sunday the 23rd morning is another glassy gem. Another 12ft SW swell, another 13-second period, energy at 3741. This is a very close second to Thursday. If you missed the first window, this is your next shot.
After a few so-so mornings, Wednesday the 26th gives us a change. The swell is smaller at about 7ft, but the wind turns cross-offshore from the ENE, cleaning up the faces. The swell is from the ESE with a short 8-second period, so it’s a bit weaker and more chop-prone, but the clean wind makes it a worthwhile session.
Towards the end of the run, Sunday the 30th afternoon shows a 2.5m (8ft) SSW swell with a very long 17-second period. That’s true groundswell, and the energy is 4011. This is a bomb. That long period will wrap deep into the reef and give long, walled-up rides.
And then the last real highlight is Tuesday the 1st of September. Another glassy morning, with a 2.5m (8ft) SW groundswell at 15 seconds, and energy at 3592. It’s another heavy, clean session for the experienced crew.
Crowds are listed as “sometimes” at Fish Boma, so expect a handful of locals on these top days, but the wave quality and power tends to weed out the beginners. The golden mornings are Thursday the 20th, Sunday the 23rd, and Tuesday the 1st of September. The rest is pick-and-choose.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue morning, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Sun morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Sat afternoon, calm by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SSW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 10 | SW 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1438 | 1777 | 2381 | 1978 | 1693 | 1500 | 4102 | 3145 | 1710 | 1182 | 755 | 436 | 471 | 2310 | 4737 | 3741 | 2219 | 1256 | 806 | 464 | 738 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 6:58PM1.48m | 7:10AM1.26m | 7:31PM1.31m | 7:49AM1.12m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:38PM0.38m | 1:11AM0.49m | 1:08PM0.53m | 1:49AM0.63m | 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 | ||||||||
7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | |
— | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 15 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 12 |
Feels °C | 14 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | E 8 | SSW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 10 | SW 11 |
1438 | 1777 | 2381 | 1978 | 1693 | 1500 | 4102 | 3145 | 1710 | 1182 | 755 | 436 | 471 | 5 | 4737 | 3741 | 2219 | 1256 | 806 | 464 | 738 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SW 11 | SW 11 | ESE 5 | — | E 8 | — | — | — | SW 15 | WSW 12 | SSW 14 |
55 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 16 | 16 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 347 | 278 | 2 | — | 6 | — | — | — | 9 | 256 | 494 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 9 | ESE 5 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 13 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 12 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 4 | — | SW 6 | SW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | — | 162 | 2310 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3 | 16 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 412 | 3 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Garden Route | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











