Surf Forecasts:
J-Bay surf forecast from 16 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 21 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 12s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SW swell with 3,536 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 21 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 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 Monday (Sep 21) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 1.5m and 8s. 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 3.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 10s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 17) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Mon 21st Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Mon 21st Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for J-Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here, with the lowdown on J-Bay for the next couple weeks. It’s a bit of a rollercoaster, with a long stretch of average conditions before we hit the real gem. Right now, the water temp is about normal for the season, so nothing out of the ordinary.
We start on Wednesday the 16th, but don’t get too excited. A solid 10ft SW groundswell with a long 14-second period is rolling in, but the fresh cross-shore wind and lumpy water have it looking ugly. The wave energy is strong (3994), but it’s not worth your time. From Thursday the 17th through to Wednesday the 23rd, it’s a bust – mostly onshore winds, rain, and poor waves. Even the 24th brings a messy 11ft windswell with a strong cross-onshore.
Now, Thursday the 25th Friday morning shows flickers of hope. A 8ft SSW groundswell at 13 seconds shows up, and the wind finally turns clean from the WSW at 12 mph. It’s clean, but the conditions are still only marginal due to the tide. The 27th Sunday morning is the real deal. A 5ft SW groundswell with a very long 13-second period, and the wind is glassy – just 3 mph from the WSW. This is excellent for experienced surfers, with smooth conditions and moderate wave energy (1543). This is the best session by far. J-Bay (South Africa) is a consistent spot, but it can get crowded sometimes, so expect some company. The SW swell is spot-on for the break.
After that, things get big and messy again. The 28th Monday brings an 11-13ft E windswell, but the cross-on wind chops it up. The 29th and 30th have some clean windows, but the swell drops and the wind is iffy. By the 1st of October, it’s down to 5ft. The main takeaway? Make sure you’re in the water Sunday the 27th morning.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Wed morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue night, min 13°C on Wed morning). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, fresh winds from the E by Fri morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 69mm), heaviest during Sun morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon morning, min 15°C on Sat morning). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | ||||||||||||||
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 11 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 972 | 3536 | 2940 | 1568 | 1677 | 1319 | 1013 | 928 | 798 | 734 | 836 | 925 | 692 | 1837 | 1584 | 1109 | 742 | 570 | 455 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 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 | 1:12PM1.11m | 1:16AM1.16m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 6:53AM0.63m | 7:18PM0.62m | |||||||
 |  | |  |  | | | | |  | | |  |  | | |  | |  | |
 | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — |
 | 6:10 | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — |
mm | — | 5 | 2 | 5 | — | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | — | 4 | 3 | 21 | 17 | 14 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Temp °C | 18 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 |
Feels °C | 17 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 10 | E 10 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | E 8 | SW 14 | SW 13 | ESE 8 | SW 12 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 |
| kJ | 570 | 208 | 2940 | 1568 | 1677 | 1319 | 1013 | 928 | 798 | 734 | 695 | 555 | 692 | 1837 | 1584 | 588 | 742 | 354 | 232 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | ENE 10 | E 10 | E 11 | — | — | — | SW 16 | SW 12 | — | — | SW 13 | E 8 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 252 | 250 | 165 | 131 | 108 | 180 | 75 | 58 | — | — | — | 64 | 396 | — | — | 1109 | 295 | 570 | 455 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 15 | — | — | — | — | — | SW 15 |
| kJ | 489 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 461 | — | — | — | — | — | 54 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | SW 14 | — | SSE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | — | E 8 | ESE 8 | — | SSE 6 | — | — |
| kJ | 972 | 3536 | — | 147 | 263 | 288 | 437 | 485 | 688 | 597 | 836 | 925 | — | 921 | 931 | — | 57 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3 | 140 | 197 | 180 | 197 | 335 | 197 | 594 | 1511 | 183 | 531 | 197 | 140 | 180 | 180 | 3 | 140 | 68 | 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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