Surf Forecasts:
J-Bay surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 20 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, E swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 4,314 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 15 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 11s period with E 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 Tuesday (Sep 15) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 12s. 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 Wednesday (Sep 16) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 6ft (1.9m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sun 20th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for J-Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk about it. For J-Bay, the next week and a half is a mixed bag, so let’s cut through the noise.
Right now, we’ve got a messy 2.3m east swell that’s not doing much. The water’s a bone-chilling 61°, which is nearly 5° colder than usual for this time of year. It’s a real shock to the system, so bring the thickest suit you own. The wind is cross-offshore but it’s not enough to clean up the junky lines.
The next few days are a total washout. Wednesday sees a big 3.5m southwest groundswell with serious energy (4688), but it’s getting slaughtered by a strong onshore wind and rain. It’s big, but it’s ugly. This carries through the rest of the week with strong east winds and poor conditions. The surf is going to be a complete mess, more of a kiteboarding situation than a surfing one.
Then, Sunday the 20th throws us a bone. The wind finally swings offshore and goes light, and while the swell has dropped to a still-chunky 2.5m from the ESE, it’s clean. The energy is moderate (2310), but the conditions are glassy. This one’s for the experienced crew. It’s got power, but the east angle makes it tricky. It’ll be a proper session, but it's not for beginners.
The start of the following week is slow, with a few days of small, poor surf from the 21st to the 24th. The winds are onshore and the swell is weak. It’s a good week to do some maintenance on your boards.
But here’s the one to wait for. On Friday, the 25th, everything comes together. A clean 2.0m east swell, light west-northwest offshore winds, and clear skies. The energy is moderate (1106) but the forecast is for excellent conditions. This is the standout of the whole run. J-Bay is going to be firing, clean and lined up. Expect the crowd, but it’s going to be worth it.
After that, the surf fades out again into the weekend. Another small pulse on the 28th looks messy and blown out.
So, in short: The next week is mostly a waiting game, with one solid window on Sunday and the real gem on Friday the 25th. It’s a bit of a long-range call, so keep your fingers crossed, but if it comes together, it’ll be the session to remember.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 25mm), heaviest during Thu morning. Warm (max 22°C on Mon afternoon, min 11°C on Thu morning). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, fresh winds from the WSW by Tue night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 44mm), heaviest during Sun morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat night, min 12°C on Thu afternoon). Mainly strong winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | ||||||||||||||
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) | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | SW 11 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | E 9 | E 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | E 11 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1098 | 924 | 701 | 459 | 1211 | 4314 | 3186 | 1162 | 2207 | 1767 | 1255 | 1076 | 963 | 1135 | 2622 | 3272 | 3037 | 1605 | 1045 | 1044 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | off | off | cross | cross |
High Tide | 5:20PM1.67m | 5:33AM1.48m | 5:46PM1.53m | 5:59AM1.37m | 6:12PM1.39m | 6:25AM1.24m | 6:38PM1.24m | 6:55AM1.09m | 7:11PM1.09m | 7:50AM0.95m | 8:56PM0.95m | 12:15PM0.96m | 00:28AM1.02m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:30PM0.16m | 11:33AM0.21m | 11:56PM0.27m | 11:59AM0.34m | 00:22AM0.40m | 12:25PM0.48m | 00:53AM0.54m | 12:56PM0.63m | 1:41AM0.68m | 2:00PM0.77m | 4:51AM0.75m | 6:22PM0.77m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | |  | | |
 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — |
 | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:14 | — |
mm | 2 | 6 | — | — | — | 3 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 25 | 5 |
Temp °C | 22 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 19 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | SW 11 | E 10 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | E 11 | SW 14 |
| kJ | 1098 | 924 | 701 | 459 | 698 | 168 | 3186 | 1162 | 2207 | 1767 | 1255 | 1076 | 963 | 1135 | 710 | 465 | 2522 | 1605 | 1045 | 1044 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SW 8 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | — | S 10 | S 8 | — | SW 16 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 14 | E 10 |
| kJ | 444 | 303 | 224 | 276 | 262 | 206 | 131 | 211 | 104 | 75 | 73 | — | 18 | 13 | — | 124 | 355 | 473 | 885 | 551 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WSW 4 | SW 5 | SSW 15 | SW 16 | — | — | SSE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | — | — |
| kJ | — | 11 | 23 | 91 | 362 | — | — | 164 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 142 | 232 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SW 11 | SW 14 | — | SSE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 8 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | — | S 7 | SSW 8 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 1211 | 4314 | — | 231 | 278 | 261 | 227 | 408 | 691 | 1046 | 2622 | 3272 | 3037 | — | 388 | 768 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 19 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 142 | 197 | 140 | 31 | 197 | 172 | 600 | 896 | 598 | 436 | 197 | 0 | 0 | 277 | 143 |
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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