J-Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the line for J-Bay over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, it’s a bit of a slow start. The first few days are not looking good at all. We’ve got a solid 7 ft SW swell running on Wednesday the 29th of July, but that east wind is ruining it—cross-on and choppy, with a combined energy of 1927 (moderate to strong). That pattern sticks around through Thursday, Friday, and into the weekend. The wind stays crossed-up and the surf quality is poor, so don’t bother waxing up just yet. On Saturday the 1st of August, the swell drops to 8 ft but it’s short-period windswell (8 seconds) and the wind is still cross-on, so it’s messy and marginal. The energy is moderate (1119-1248).

Now, Sunday the 2nd of August shows a little glimmer. The wind goes light cross-on, finally, and the swell is the same 8 ft from the east. The period is still short (9 seconds), but the energy is ramping up (2074). It’s still a marginal call, but it’s a step in the right direction.

The standout window starts Monday the 3rd of August. That’s when things come together. Monday morning we’ve got a clean 6 ft E swell with a light cross-off wind from the SSW. The energy is moderate (1116), but the conditions are clean. By Monday afternoon, it goes glassy with a 4 ft SW groundswell (13 seconds). That’s a beautiful combination for J-Bay. The water temp is about average for this time of year.

Tuesday the 4th of August keeps the love going with a clean 5 ft SW swell (13 seconds) and light cross-off winds in the morning. The energy is good (1056). Tuesday afternoon gets a little cross-shore wind, but it’s still a decent session.

The real highlight looks to be Thursday the 6th of August. Wednesday the 5th builds nicely: a clean 6 ft SSW groundswell with a very long 15-second period, and light cross-off wind. The energy is strong (2249). Then Thursday morning—brace yourselves—we’ve got a 10 ft SW swell with a 13-second period, glassy conditions, and a combined energy of 5882 (very strong). That is exceptional. This is a big wave for J-Bay, so it’s for experienced surfers only. The water’s going to be a bit cooler than usual (anomaly is notable), but with that kind of power and no wind, it’s going to be a day to remember. The afternoon gets a bit bumpy with a moderate cross-off wind, but still clean.

We get a few more solid days after that. Friday the 7th of August is still pumping with 13 ft SW swell (14 seconds) in the morning—very strong energy (6275). The wind is cross-off, but that’s a lot of water. Saturday the 8th has an 8 ft SW swell with a fresh offshore wind in the morning, but that afternoon the wind cranks up to near gale, so it’s a write-off. Sunday the 9th of August keeps the 8 ft SW swell going with fresh offshore winds, but there’s some rain around.

Monday the 10th of August is another clean, solid day with an 8 ft SW swell (11 seconds) and light offshore wind. The energy is moderate (1754). Tuesday the 11th of August is also good, with a 6 ft S swell (11 seconds) and clean conditions.

The second week rounds out with some smaller, cleaner days, but nothing that matches the power of that Thursday the 6th. The 13th of August sees an 12 ft SW swell return, but the wind goes cross-on, so it’s a bit of a mess.

Overall, the best on offer is Thursday the 6th of August. Glassy, 10 ft SW groundswell, massive energy. That’s the one to circle on your calendar. Monday the 3rd and Tuesday the 4th are also beautiful, clean days for the intermediate crew. Don’t bother with the first week’s mess.

Rusty.

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