Surf Forecasts:
J-Bay surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 14s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 8,204 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 14s 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 Monday (Aug 17) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 8s. 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 4.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 15ft (4.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 15ft (4.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for J-Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what we’ve got coming our way at J-Bay over the next couple of weeks. This is a solid run, with a lot of swell direction hitting that South and SW sweet spot the bay loves.
The real standout here is Sunday, August 23rd. That morning we’re looking at a beast of a 13ft SW groundswell, with a period of 14 seconds, roaring in with a very strong combined wave energy of 7830. The wind is a clean cross-offshore, which will keep that iconic point and reef setup looking like a postcard. This is big, powerful stuff – definitely for experienced surfers only, and you’ll want to be on your game. Crowds are possible at J-Bay, so get there early for a piece of it.
Before that, Thursday, August 20th is also cooking. A 10ft to 13ft SW swell with 13-second intervals is pumping, with wave energy hitting 4823 and then 5025. The morning has clean, gentle cross-offshore wind, making for some excellent conditions for the experienced crew.
Heading into the second week, keep an eye on Wednesday, August 26th. That morning brings a very long-period groundswell from the SSW – 10ft at 17 seconds, with energy of 5782. That's a proper pulse of energy, and with a clean cross-off wind, it’ll be a special session for those who know how to handle a fast, walling wave at a point break like this. The water temp is about average for the time of year here.
Monday, August 24th offers a bit of a change with a glassy morning and an 8ft S swell from a very long 16-second period (wave energy 5492). That’s exceptional for experts, but remember that very long period groundswell can make beach breaks tricky; at J-Bay’s point, it’s pure gold.
There’s plenty of action day-to-day, but the two big standouts to circle on the calendar are definitely Sunday, August 23rd and Wednesday, August 26th. The 23rd for sheer size and power, the 26th for that ultra-long period quality.
Stay safe out there.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, fresh winds from the WSW by Wed afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, fresh winds from the WSW by Sat afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | SW 14 | WSW 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 10 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 821 | 1886 | 1915 | 1599 | 1589 | 2235 | 2702 | 2407 | 2257 | 1292 | 4800 | 5012 | 3217 | 1852 | 1396 | 1027 | 1580 | 2720 | 5960 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 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 | 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 | |||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:56 | — | — | 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 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 14 | WSW 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 | E 8 | E 8 | — |
| kJ | 821 | 1886 | 1915 | 1599 | 1589 | 2235 | 2702 | 2407 | 2257 | 1292 | 4800 | 5012 | 3217 | 1852 | 1396 | 1027 | 5 | 5 | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 5 | E 8 | — | — |
| kJ | 119 | 229 | 185 | 143 | 100 | 71 | 48 | 44 | 27 | 25 | 23 | 13 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 5 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 8 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 203 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 6 | — | — | — | NE 8 | — | WSW 4 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 12 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 287 | — | — | — | 18 | — | 15 | 1580 | 2720 | 5960 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 52 | 0 | 140 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 52 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 142 | 0 |
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.
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