Surf Forecasts:
J-Bay surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, SW swell with 3,912 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 16 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 12s 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 Sunday (Aug 16) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m 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 13s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for J-Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let's talk about what's coming up at J-Bay (South Africa). This is a consistent beach and reef break that really knows how to deliver. Water temp is about normal for this time of year.
We start off Sunday morning, the 16th with a 5ft swell from the SW and a light offshore breeze. It's clean, combined energy is moderate (987). A nice gentle opener.
Monday, the 17th morning brings 8ft SW swell, light offshore wind, and that combined energy jumps up (2110). The period is 14 seconds, so this is proper groundswell with real shape and power. Intermediate stuff, but clean.
The real standout hits Wednesday morning, the 19th. We've got a 10ft SW groundswell, and the wind goes glassy – dead calm from the NNE at just 3 mph. The combined energy is strong (2487), period is 13 seconds. This is big, clean, and powerful. Expert only, but it's the session of the window.
The swell keeps coming through Thursday, the 20th, with 8ft to 12ft SW swell and cross-offshore winds. Energy stays high. Friday, the 21st gets messy with onshore winds, so skip that.
Sunday, the 23rd afternoon is another standout: 10ft SSW swell, clean with a light offshore, and energy way up at 5277. Long-period (14 seconds), lined-up, and powerful. Expert territory again.
In the second week, Wednesday, the 26th afternoon shows 8ft SW swell with a 15-second period and light offshore wind. Energy is high (3664), clean. Then Friday, the 28th afternoon is a big one: 12ft SW swell, glassy conditions, and a massive 16-second period. Combined energy is 5510. That's an exceptional window for experts, but it's still a ways out, so keep it on the radar.
Saturday, the 29th is a washout with onshore wind and rain. The rest of the month is mostly windy or onshore.
Top picks: Wednesday morning, the 19th and Friday afternoon, the 28th. Both glassy, big, and powerful. The first one is solid, the second one is a promising look ahead.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Sun morning, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Fri morning). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 854 | 718 | 667 | 1788 | 1756 | 1599 | 1408 | 2063 | 2445 | 2132 | 2032 | 1760 | 2555 | 3557 | 3724 | 1946 | 1347 | 875 | 558 | 794 | 2964 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:59PM1.67m | 6:09AM1.45m | 6:29PM1.54m | 6:39AM1.33m | 6:59PM1.39m | 7:09AM1.19m | 7:31PM1.24m | 7:46AM1.06m | 8:17PM1.09m | 9:08AM0.94m | 10:35PM1.00m | 12:36PM0.96m | 00:52AM1.07m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:41AM0.08m | 00:10AM0.20m | 12:11PM0.20m | 00:40AM0.32m | 12:39PM0.33m | 1:12AM0.45m | 1:09PM0.48m | 1:49AM0.58m | 1:47PM0.62m | 2:53AM0.70m | 3:08PM0.75m | 5:54AM0.72m | 6:33PM0.74m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — |
 | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:53 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 22 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 19 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 15 |
Feels °C | 24 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 |
| kJ | 854 | 718 | 667 | 1788 | 1756 | 1599 | 1408 | 2063 | 2445 | 2132 | 2032 | 1760 | 2555 | 3557 | 3724 | 1946 | 1347 | 875 | 558 | 794 | 2964 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 4 | E 5 | E 8 | E 8 | — |
| kJ | 58 | 89 | 122 | 229 | 185 | 143 | 100 | 71 | 66 | 42 | 41 | 25 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 6 | 11 | 4 | 10 | 4 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 11 | WSW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 8 | E 8 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 75 | 56 | 322 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 5 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 3 | WSW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 3 | — | W 4 | WSW 5 | WSW 6 | — |
| kJ | 5 | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | 22 | 52 | 202 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 52 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 52 | 0 | 3 | 140 | 142 | 587 | 259 |
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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