Surf Forecasts:
J-Bay surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 12s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 14s period, SW swell with 9,208 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 12s period with S 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 (Aug 27) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 1.7m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at J-Bay in the next 16 days are 5.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 16ft (5.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for J-Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, checking in on the local surf scene. Let’s get straight to it.
We’ve got a solid run of swell on the cards for J-Bay, but it’s not all smooth sailing. The first few days are a write-off with sloppy conditions. Things start looking up from Friday afternoon onwards, and there’s a real standout window early next week that’s got my heart thumping.
Wednesday 26 August is a total mess. That 12ft S swell at 16 seconds sounds incredible, but with 16 mph easterly winds onshore, it’s just a lumpy, blown-out disaster. The wave energy is strong (6181), but you wouldn’t know it from the surface. Don’t bother.
Thursday 27 August brings a bit of hope. The morning session sees a 7ft SSW swell with a nice 12-second period, and while it’s a cross-on breeze, it’s only 3 mph. It’s *marginal*, but if you’re desperate, it’s the first rideable option.
Friday 28 August is where we start to see the magic. The morning is still average, but by Friday afternoon, the wind drops to nothing. Glassy conditions. We’ve got a clean 4ft S swell at 11 seconds and a combined energy of 884 – not huge, but that glassy surface is a gift. This is the first proper taste of good surf.
Saturday 29 August and Sunday 30 August drop off in size and quality. The swell gets smaller and the wind turns cross-off, keeping things tidy but not exciting.
Now, Monday 31 August. This is the one to circle. Monday morning, the wind is dead calm again – glassy. We’ve got a 6ft WSW groundswell with a 12-second period. The energy is moderate (846), but that clean, glassy surface makes it a dream. This is your best bet for a fun, clean session without the crowd going mental.
Tuesday 1 September is where it gets serious, but you’ll need to be an expert. The afternoon sees a massive 15ft SW groundswell, with a very long 15-second period. The combined energy is a staggering 7606. The wind is a strong cross-off at 22 mph, keeping the face clean. This is huge, powerful, and only for the brave. That long period means the sets will be lining up beautifully at this point break, but it will be heavy.
After that, the swell stays big through Wednesday and Thursday, but the quality takes a hit with strong winds. By Friday 4 September, the wind turns onshore again and it’s back to poor surf.
So, to sum it up: the standout windows are Monday morning 31 August for a clean, intermediate-friendly session, and Tuesday afternoon 1 September for the big-wave crew looking for a challenge. Get out there for Monday, it’s the sweet spot.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the E on Wed afternoon, calm by Thu morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 31°C on Sat morning, min 14°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Sat afternoon, calm by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SSE 11 | S 11 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 14 | SSW 8 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | SW 15 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 5258 | 4748 | 1992 | 1430 | 1100 | 827 | 483 | 403 | 390 | 307 | 281 | 595 | 357 | 601 | 878 | 625 | 549 | 475 | 718 | 4682 | 9098 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:10PM1.52m | 3:15AM1.54m | 3:36PM1.63m | 3:42AM1.60m | 4:02PM1.72m | 4:10AM1.64m | 4:29PM1.77m | 4:39AM1.64m | 4:57PM1.78m | 5:08AM1.61m | 5:26PM1.74m | 5:40AM1.54m | 5:58PM1.65m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:58AM0.21m | 9:14PM0.25m | 9:23AM0.11m | 9:41PM0.15m | 9:49AM0.04m | 10:09PM0.09m | 10:15AM0.00m | 10:38PM0.05m | 10:42AM-0.00m | 11:07PM0.06m | 11:11AM0.04m | 11:38PM0.10m | 11:41AM0.11m | 00:12AM0.19m | |||||||
 | |  |  | | |  | |  | | |  |  | | | | |  | | | | |
 | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — |
 | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 16 | 22 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 32 | 27 | 31 | 20 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 22 | 18 | 15 |
Feels °C | 13 | 13 | 11 | 22 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 29 | 24 | 27 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 20 | 12 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SSE 11 | S 11 | E 11 | E 11 | SW 14 | SSW 8 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 11 | SSW 13 | E 10 | SW 14 |
| kJ | 5258 | 4748 | 1992 | 1430 | 1100 | 827 | 483 | 403 | 390 | 307 | 227 | 191 | 357 | 601 | 878 | 625 | 549 | 475 | 423 | 70 | 9098 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | E 8 | WSW 12 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | E 11 | SW 13 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | E 10 | E 5 | E 10 | — | E 9 |
| kJ | 572 | 45 | 45 | 477 | 94 | 469 | 362 | 266 | 200 | 212 | 205 | 91 | 151 | 494 | 121 | 44 | 100 | 25 | 46 | — | 42 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | S 16 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | S 14 | SSE 14 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 15 | WSW 10 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | SSE 10 | E 10 | E 6 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 83 | 94 | 77 | 153 | 213 | 147 | 225 | 281 | 137 | 117 | 112 | 73 | 104 | 9 | 71 | 17 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 4 | E 5 | E 7 | E 8 | E 9 | — | — | — | — | — | SW 4 | WSW 12 | SW 6 | — | — | — | ESE 6 | ENE 5 | WSW 11 | SW 15 | — |
| kJ | 14 | 97 | 622 | 790 | 493 | — | — | — | — | — | 22 | 595 | 165 | — | — | — | 47 | 36 | 718 | 4682 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 197 | 513 | 140 | 2 | 140 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 142 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 299 | 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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