
Surf Forecasts:
J-Bay surf forecast from 26 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 26 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 12s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, SSW swell with 6,363 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 26 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 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 (Jul 26) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 10s. 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 2AM. Winds are predicted to be 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 Monday (Jul 27) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Sun 26th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sun 26th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Tue 28th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for J-Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty, and I’ve got the lowdown on what’s comin’ our way for J-Bay. Let’s get stuck in.
We’re kicking off Sunday the 26th of July with a solid 7ft SW swell rollin’ in, period at 12 seconds, and the combined energy is pumping hard at 1932 – that’s strong stuff. But honestly, it’s a bit of a tease. The wind is light and cross-shore from the NNE in the morning, and it’s labelled as marginal surf with questionable tide conditions. The afternoon turns onshore from the east, making it even less appealing. The water temp is pretty much what you’d expect for this time of year, no major anomaly to talk about.
We hit Monday the 27th, and it’s still got size with a 7ft to 8ft SW swell, but the wind is crankin’ from the WSW at 18 to 19 mph. It’s cross-offshore, keeping things clean-looking, but these are fresh breezes and the conditions are still tagged as marginal. Not the day to drop everything and go.
Tuesday the 28th and Wednesday the 29th are a write-off. The wind swings east and cross-onshore, getting up to 15 mph, and the surf becomes poor and choppy. A couple of days to leave the board in the car.
Then the magic starts to show. Thursday the 30th of July – now we’re talkin’. The swell drops to a manageable 5ft to 6ft from the SSW, period at a nice 13 seconds, and the combined energy is still solid at 1410 to 1550. But the wind? Glassy in the afternoon with a light offshore in the morning. That’s clean, smooth, and only for the experienced crew. This is a standout morning and afternoon session for those who know the point.
Friday the 31st through to Sunday the 2nd of August turns ugly again. The swell jumps back up, but it’s a short-period E windswell at 8 to 10 seconds, and the wind is howling cross-onshore at 15 to 18 mph. Choppy, lumpy, and poor. Not worth it.
Now, here’s the real gem. Monday the 3rd of August. The morning is glassy – absolutely dead calm wind from the SE at 0 mph. The swell is a long-period 7ft from the SW at 16 seconds, and the wave energy is massive at 3386. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. The afternoon gets a light cross-shore, but the morning will be firing. This is the best on offer. Mark it down.
Tuesday the 4th and Wednesday the 5th of August keep the good run going, with clean 6ft to 7ft SW swell and light offshore or glassy winds. The energy is still moderate to strong, and conditions are excellent for those with a bit of time on their hands.
Thursday the 6th of August, the wind picks up again from the WSW at 18 mph, keeping things clean with cross-offshore flow, but the swell is a bit mixed. The energy is still decent, but it’s not the pristine glass we just had.
Friday the 7th of August brings a clean offshore morning with a smaller 5ft SW swell – excellent for the experienced, but the afternoon gets blown out by a strong WSW breeze.
And then, another standout. Saturday the 8th of August – glassy calm in the morning with a big 12ft WSW swell, period 12 seconds, and combined energy at 3455. This is big and clean – only for the experts. The afternoon gets a light cross-shore, but the morning is the pick. A solid, heavy session.
Sunday the 9th of August holds some clean afternoon conditions with a 7ft SW swell and light offshore wind. And Monday the 10th of August wraps it up with glassy conditions and a smaller 6ft WSW swell – a nice, clean finish for the experienced surfer.
Overall, the first week is a mix of blown-out junk and one clean Thursday. The second week is where it’s at, with two real standouts: Monday the 3rd and Saturday the 8th of August. Both are glassy or clean, with solid SW groundswell and plenty of energy. Get on it.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Mon night. Warm (max 23°C on Sun afternoon, min 14°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun afternoon, fresh winds from the WSW by Mon morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Wed morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, fresh winds from the E by Fri afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 17 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 14 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
2201 | 1381 | 1088 | 765 | 1229 | 3774 | 6363 | 2822 | 2423 | 2037 | 1367 | 1164 | 841 | 867 | 961 | 961 | 770 | 1163 | 1755 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | on | off | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 1:52AM1.24m | 2:27PM1.23m | 2:32AM1.34m | 3:02PM1.34m | 3:06AM1.43m | 3:33PM1.44m | 3:37AM1.50m | 4:02PM1.53m | 4:06AM1.55m | 4:31PM1.59m | 4:35AM1.57m | 4:59PM1.64m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:17AM0.45m | 8:26PM0.49m | 8:51AM0.34m | 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 | |||||||
— | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | |
5:35 | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 14 | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 19 | 23 | 21 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 16 |
Feels °C | 13 | 16 | 21 | 18 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 14 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 17 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | E 10 | SSW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
2201 | 1381 | 1088 | 765 | 1229 | 3774 | 6363 | 2822 | 2423 | 2037 | 1367 | 1164 | 841 | 518 | 961 | 961 | 600 | 374 | 244 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 10 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | E 8 | ENE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 13 | — | — | — | — | — |
86 | 481 | 422 | 479 | 590 | 20 | 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 867 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | E 6 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 64 | 48 | 15 | 41 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NE 4 | ENE 4 | — | WSW 5 | WSW 6 | — | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 7 | NE 5 | E 10 | E 10 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 |
— | 6 | 5 | — | 77 | 112 | — | 438 | 345 | 315 | 265 | 310 | 278 | 25 | 589 | 730 | 770 | 1163 | 1755 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 6 | 19 | 0 | 140 | 3 | 323 | 197 | 197 | 31 | 172 | 197 | 140 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 183 | 197 | 140 |
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.










