Surf Forecasts:
J-Bay surf forecast from 28 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 1 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, SSW swell with 5,926 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 30 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 13s period with SSW 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 30) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 1.6m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at J-Bay in the next 16 days are 3.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 02) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Thu 30th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sat 1st Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Tue 28th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for J-Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let’s talk about what’s cookin’ at J-Bay.
Straight off the bat, the next few days are a bit of a write-off. We’re looking at a slow start with some messy, rain-affected conditions through Tuesday and Wednesday. The wind is mostly onshore or cross-onshore, and the wave energy is pretty limp. You’re not missing much. By Thursday, the wind is still junk, and the swell is dropping. It’s a real struggle to find a decent wave right now.
The first real glimmer of hope comes on Saturday morning, the 1st of August. The swell bumps up to 8ft, coming from the east with a short period of 9 seconds. The wind is light and cross-shore, so it’s not completely blown out, but it’s still a bit marginal. The combined energy is moderate (1116), so it’s not a total loss, but don’t expect perfection.
Now, if you’ve got patience, Sunday the 2nd of August is where it’s at. That morning, the wind swings offshore from the west at just 3 mph, turning the lineup clean. Swell is a manageable 6ft from the east, with a period of 10 seconds. The energy is moderate (1057), but the clean conditions are the real winner here. The afternoon holds up well too. That’s your best bet of the early window—a solid, clean session.
The following week has some real promise. Tuesday the 4th of August morning sees a clean 4ft groundswell from the WSW with a 12-second period and a gentle offshore breeze. It’s clean and easy. Then, on Thursday the 6th of August, things get proper. We’ve got a big 12ft swell from the southwest with a 14-second period, and the energy is strong (4705). The wind is light and cross-offshore, making for clean, powerful waves. This is for experienced surfers only—over 8ft, it’s expert territory. That morning is a standout.
The real cherry on top, though, is Tuesday the 11th of August. The morning is glassy, with a 10ft southwest swell and an 11-second period. The energy is strong (3342), and the wind is nearly non-existent from the NNW. Those conditions are as good as it gets. Absolutely perfect. If you can wait, that’s your session.
The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual.
Take it easy, and paddle smart.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu afternoon, min 14°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the E on Fri afternoon, light winds from the W by Sun morning). | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | E 10 | SW 13 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 6618 | 4495 | 2708 | 2141 | 1387 | 1347 | 1327 | 1127 | 946 | 919 | 641 | 512 | 1003 | 888 | 1052 | 1170 | 646 | 502 | 473 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 3:06AM1.43m | 3:33PM1.44m | 3:37AM1.50m | 4:02PM1.53m | 4:06AM1.55m | 4:31PM1.59m | 4:35AM1.57m | 4:59PM1.64m | 5:04AM1.57m | 5:27PM1.66m | 5:33AM1.54m | 5:57PM1.64m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:02PM0.39m | 9:22AM0.24m | 9:34PM0.31m | 9:50AM0.16m | 10:04PM0.25m | 10:17AM0.10m | 10:34PM0.20m | 10:44AM0.07m | 11:04PM0.18m | 11:12AM0.07m | 11:34PM0.18m | 11:40AM0.09m | 00:07AM0.21m | ||||||
 |  | |  | |  |  |  | | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — |
 | 5:36 | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — |
mm | 7 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 25 | 21 | 23 | 26 | 18 |
Feels °C | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 16 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 24 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 |
| kJ | 6618 | 4495 | 2708 | 2141 | 1387 | 1347 | 1327 | 1127 | 946 | 919 | 529 | 512 | 291 | 888 | 1052 | 1170 | 646 | 502 | 327 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | — | E 8 | — | S 9 | ESE 8 | — | — | — | SSW 16 | — | SW 18 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 16 | 15 | — | 13 | — | 7 | 266 | — | — | — | 220 | — | 12 | 164 | 123 | 322 | 398 | 495 | 473 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 16 | SW 15 | S 11 | S 13 | S 13 | S 11 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 64 | 75 | 9 | 13 | 28 | 9 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | — | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 6 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | WSW 4 | W 4 |
| kJ | — | — | 308 | 215 | 495 | 414 | — | 318 | 430 | 513 | 641 | 396 | 1003 | — | — | — | — | 16 | 8 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 4 | 197 | 197 | 180 | 180 | 197 | 6 | 52 | 197 | 31 | 172 | 197 | 140 | 31 | 140 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape (South) | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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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