Surf Forecasts:
J-Bay surf forecast from 8 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 9 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 9 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, SSW swell with 5,071 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 9 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 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 09) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 1.5m and 15s. 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 3.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 09) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 14) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Thu 9th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Thu 9th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Thu 9th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for J-Bay over the next 16 days.
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming for J-Bay over the next couple of weeks.
First thing you’ll notice is the water temp: it’s 63°F, which is about 3°F colder than usual for this time of year. You’ll want a thicker wetsuit.
Wednesday the 8th kicks off with some serious energy—combined swell energy is at 2056 (moderate to strong). Waves are 8ft to 10ft from the SW, period around 13 seconds. That’s proper groundswell. The wind is 12-19 mph out of the west, cross-off, so the surf is clean. But at this size, it’s expert-only on the bigger sets.
Thursday the 9th, the swell builds to 12ft from the SW at 14 seconds, energy up to 4199 (strong). Wind is 9-16 mph from the WSW, still cross-off and clean. Big, powerful, and for experienced surfers only.
The standout for the first week is Friday afternoon, July 10th. The swell holds at 12ft from the SSW, 13-second period, energy at 3694. The wind drops to just 6 mph from the southwest, cross-off, and it’s “excellent surf conditions.” Clean, powerful, and lined up.
Saturday the 11th, the wind swings east, cross-on, and things get bumpy. Swell drops to 8ft, but quality fades. By Sunday the 12th, it’s choppy and messy with 5-6ft swell and low energy (906). Rest day.
Monday 13th through Wednesday 15th is a lull. Swell drops to 4-7ft, short period (6-10 seconds), with light cross-off winds. Clean but weak—energy around 440-698. Good for a longboard, but not the real J-Bay.
Thursday afternoon, July 16th is another highlight. Swell jumps to 8ft from the WSW, 9-second period, and the wind goes glassy at 3 mph from the ESE. Energy is strong at 2167. Excellent, clean conditions.
Friday the 17th brings 10ft SW swell with 12-second period, but the wind is strong out of the SW at 19 mph in the morning—clean but heavy.
From Saturday 18th into Sunday 19th, east wind again, cross-on and choppy, swell down to 5-5ft. Poor.
Monday afternoon, July 20th looks nice: 5ft SSW swell at 13 seconds, energy 912, light north wind cross-off. Clean and manageable.
Tuesday morning, July 21st is a sleeper: 4ft SW swell at 12 seconds, offshore breeze from the WNW. Clean and smooth.
But the best of the second week is Wednesday morning, July 22nd. Glassy conditions—just 3 mph from the east—with 6ft SSW swell at 13 seconds, energy 1246. Excellent surf for experienced surfers, and it’ll be silky.
And Thursday afternoon, July 23rd closes it out with 10ft SW swell at 11 seconds, energy 2514, light north wind. Clean and powerful.
Top picks: Friday afternoon the 10th and Wednesday morning the 22nd. Crowds are possible here, so plan accordingly.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Wed afternoon, calm by Fri night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun afternoon, min 14°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | |||||||||||||||
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 13 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 2031 | 2655 | 1993 | 4189 | 3707 | 4924 | 4221 | 3688 | 2761 | 2186 | 1917 | 1444 | 686 | 631 | 437 | 351 | 375 | 318 | 263 | 312 | 244 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:05AM1.15m | 9:46PM1.35m | 10:31AM1.11m | 11:10PM1.34m | 12:04PM1.15m | 00:31AM1.39m | 1:19PM1.26m | 1:39AM1.48m | 2:19PM1.39m | 2:36AM1.57m | 3:09PM1.52m | 3:25AM1.64m | 3:55PM1.63m | 4:10AM1.67m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:08PM0.46m | 4:23AM0.48m | 4:28PM0.51m | 5:49AM0.45m | 5:58PM0.48m | 7:06AM0.36m | 7:17PM0.40m | 8:07AM0.24m | 8:21PM0.28m | 8:58AM0.14m | 9:15PM0.18m | 9:43AM0.05m | 10:03PM0.12m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  |  | | |  | | |  | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — |
 | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — |
mm | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 15 |
Feels °C | 14 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SSW 18 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 |
| kJ | 2031 | 395 | 1573 | 4189 | 3707 | 4924 | 4221 | 3688 | 2761 | 2186 | 1917 | 1444 | 686 | 631 | 437 | 351 | 375 | 318 | 198 | 164 | 125 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SSW 13 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SE 15 | SE 14 | SE 13 | — | W 13 | W 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | S 9 |
| kJ | 17 | 8 | 1630 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 6 | — | 13 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 387 | 331 | 276 | 130 | 80 | 58 | 73 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 8 | E 8 | SW 18 | — | SW 16 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 10 | SSE 10 | S 9 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 8 | 8 | 458 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 5 | 12 | — | 10 | 91 | 55 | 47 | 96 | 32 | 41 | 57 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 4 | SW 13 | SW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 8 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | — | W 3 | W 5 | W 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 7 |
| kJ | 34 | 2655 | 1993 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 206 | 164 | — | 2 | 52 | 117 | 263 | 312 | 244 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3 | 142 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 60 | 19 | 31 | 31 | 140 | 140 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 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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