J-Bay surf break

J-Bay surfForecast / Eastern Cape (S) / South Africa

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 1 pm Thursday 18 Dec 2025 SAST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
J-Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's J-Bay sea temperature is
19.4° C
(Which is 2.2°C colder than average for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for J-Bay this week:

The surf forecast for J-Bay over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Dec 18) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at J-Bay in the next 12 days are 3.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Dec 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 1.7m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Dec 23) at 8AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Thu 18th Dec)5ft (1.6m) 11s
Best Surf 8PM (Thu 18th Dec)5ft (1.6m) 11s
Most Powerful 2PM (Sat 20th Dec)10ft (3.0m) 14s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for J-Bay over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Fri morning, min 16°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat morning, fresh winds from the E by Sun morning).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Some drizzle, heaviest during Tue morning. Warm (max 29°C on Mon morning, min 19°C on Tue night). Mainly strong winds.

Thu
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
1
1
4
2
0
2
0
0
2
1
0
3
0
0
2
0
0
3
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.7
S
1.5
S
1.4
SSE
1.4
SW
2.4
SW
2.5
SW
3
SSW
2.5
SSW
1.9
SW
1.7
SSW
3
E
2.5
E
3
E
2.5
E
1.8
E
1.5
E
1.3
E
1.7
SSW
1.6
SW
1.5
SW
1.3
SW
Period(s) (?)1111111013141413121291010111110108101010
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)670535423385181725343666205311007691586129019021498716470333432479442355
Wind
(km/h)
15
SSE
10
NW
15
SSE
15
S
5
NW
20
SE
20
ESE
10
ENE
30
E
30
E
10
ENE
15
ESE
30
E
20
WSW
35
WSW
30
SSW
5
S
25
ESE
20
ESE
5
ESE
10
ESE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
offcross-
on
oncross-
on
cross-
on
oncross-
on
oncross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscrossononglasson
High Tide
/ height (m)
2:49PM
1.46
3:17AM
1.39
3:23PM
1.50
3:50AM
1.44
3:55PM
1.52
4:22AM
1.47
4:27PM
1.52
4:55AM
1.48
4:59PM
1.51
5:28AM
1.48
5:31PM
1.47
6:03AM
1.48
6:06PM
1.42
6:41AM
1.46
Low Tide
/ height (m)
9:07PM
0.25
9:14AM
0.33
9:39PM
0.21
9:48AM
0.30
10:10PM
0.18
10:21AM
0.29
10:42PM
0.16
10:54AM
0.29
11:13PM
0.16
11:29AM
0.32
11:46PM
0.18
12:06PM
0.35
12:20AM
0.22
12:48PM
0.39
Thu
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
Sunrise--5:03--5:03--5:05--5:05--5:05--5:05--5:07
Sunset7:29--7:29--7:30--7:30--7:30--7:30--7:31--
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
light rain
Rain (mm)
--------------1----71
Temp. °C201821211821212020222229292825252121201920
Feels °C (?)151718181919181817182129242921212118171920
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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 12 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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