Surf Forecasts:
J-Bay surf forecast from 16 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 22 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 12s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 22 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 12s period, SW swell with 8,689 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 16 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 13s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for J-Bay this week:
The surf forecast for J-Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 16) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at J-Bay in the next 16 days are 5.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Thu 16th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 18ft (5.5m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 18ft (5.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for J-Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s break down the J-Bay forecast in feet and knots.
The water is running a touch cool at 64°, a bit colder than average for now.
We kick off Thursday 16th July. The afternoon brings a solid 8ft SW swell with a 13-second period, packing a ton of energy (2620). A light cross-off breeze keeps the surface clean. This is proper intermediate-level stuff, with real power. A great session for those who know what they’re doing.
The real standout of the first week is Friday 17th morning. The swell jumps to 10ft from the SW, period at 12 seconds, and the energy is still big (2151). Light cross-off winds again, glassy conditions. This is big, powerful, and clean – a freight train. It’s for the experienced crew only. Crowds are sometimes an issue, so expect some company.
The weekend keeps the solid, clean conditions rolling, but the main event is the following week. Wednesday 22nd July is a monster. The morning shows an 18ft SW swell with a 12-second period and an energy reading of 16127 – that’s incredible. The wind is offshore from the WNW, so it’ll be groomed. This is too big for most, but for experts, it’s a legendary day. Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th are still massive, with 15ft and 13ft swells, and the wind stays good.
If you’ve got the skills, the absolute best window is from Wednesday 22nd through Saturday 25th July. The Saturday morning (25th) is a serious contender for the best of the whole period: a 13ft SW swell, a very long 18-second period, and glassy conditions with a light ENE wind. The energy is massive (10700). That’s a dream session for the elite, with long, clean lines. That long period means the wave will be very lined up, and the sets will be spaced out, making the paddle out slightly easier between the big ones.
After that, the swell stays solid but drops a little, with the 29th July showing another fantastic pulse of 12ft SSW swell with a very long 18-second period and clean offshore winds. A real late-month treat.
Overall, get ready for a heavy run of swell. The first week is excellent, but the second week is absolutely world-class. If you’re an expert, that’s your time. For intermediates, the first weekend is your best bet. Don’t hang about.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun afternoon, min 12°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Sun night, calm by Tue morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 9 | SW 12 | SW 8 | SW 13 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 9 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 2474 | 1819 | 2078 | 1481 | 864 | 380 | 602 | 430 | 295 | 1024 | 4862 | 1732 | 1066 | 423 | 1241 | 1710 | 1952 | 8689 | 7673 | 8507 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-off | off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 5:20PM1.72m | 5:32AM1.59m | 6:00PM1.69m | 6:10AM1.50m | 6:39PM1.62m | 6:48AM1.39m | 7:17PM1.51m | 7:26AM1.26m | 7:58PM1.38m | 8:10AM1.14m | 8:45PM1.26m | 9:10AM1.04m | 9:52PM1.15m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:31PM0.12m | 11:41AM0.04m | 00:12AM0.19m | 12:17PM0.12m | 00:52AM0.28m | 12:52PM0.23m | 1:32AM0.39m | 1:29PM0.36m | 2:16AM0.49m | 2:10PM0.49m | 3:10AM0.59m | 3:05PM0.61m | 4:31AM0.65m | |||||||
 |  | | |  |  | | | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — |
 | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 16 |
Feels °C | 17 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 9 | SW 12 | SE 9 | SW 13 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 9 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 2474 | 1819 | 2078 | 1481 | 864 | 380 | 602 | 430 | 295 | 104 | 4862 | 1732 | 1066 | 423 | 1241 | 1710 | 1952 | 7331 | 6534 | 6836 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | SSE 9 | SW 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 11 | ESE 11 |
| kJ | 146 | 108 | 73 | 72 | 72 | 367 | 311 | 178 | 154 | 178 | 244 | 282 | 367 | 414 | 314 | 293 | 176 | 107 | 61 | 51 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | S 14 | S 13 | E 10 | E 10 | SSE 9 | S 10 | S 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 14 | SW 8 | E 10 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 15 | 78 | 72 | 49 | 88 | 74 | 68 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 170 | 112 | 29 | 25 | 16 | 17 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 8 | SW 8 | — | — | E 3 | — | — | — | WSW 7 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 188 | 1024 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 374 | 8689 | 7673 | 8507 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 142 | 143 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape (South) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the J-Bay Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for J-Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at J-Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our J-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 (J-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 J-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.
J-Bay is 19 km (12 miles) from the city of Kruisfontein. If you plan a holiday in Eastern Cape (South), look for hotels and other accommodation in Kruisfontein. Kruisfontein has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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