J-Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, and I’m looking at the next couple of weeks for J-Bay. There’s a real good run of swell coming, but you gotta pick your moments.

The water is sitting at 64°F for the first session, which is a bit colder than we’d normally see, so don’t forget the rubber.

First up, Friday afternoon, July 17th. We’ve got a clean 8ft SW swell rolling in with an 11-second period and glassy conditions. The wave energy is pumping (1568). This one’s for the experienced crew – it’s got a lot of power.

Saturday morning, the 18th, drops a little to 6ft, but the wind is off the west at 15 mph and clean. The energy is still strong (1352), and those waves will be holding shape. Good for intermediates.

Sunday the 19th is clean in the morning, but by the afternoon, the wind picks up hard from the WSW at 22 mph and the swell jumps to 12ft. The energy is huge (1995), but with that wind, it’s going to be a mess. Honestly, that afternoon looks more like a kite-surfing day than paddle surfing.

Now, Monday morning, the 20th, is a real standout. Glassy conditions, 7ft of SW swell at 10 seconds, and calm winds. The wave energy is solid (1397), and the lineup will be clean and inviting. This is one of the best windows in the near term.

Tuesday morning, the 21st, brings a very long-period groundswell from the SW at 15 seconds, 5ft. This is pure J-Bay – that long period will wrap down the point, giving you long, lined-up walls. The energy is still good (1234), and the glassy conditions make it a must-surf for anyone who loves a drawn-out ride.

The 22nd of July is a mixed bag. Wednesday morning is windy and messy, but Wednesday afternoon cleans up with a light cross-off breeze and a 7ft SW swell at 13 seconds. The energy is strong (1527), and the wave quality is excellent for experienced surfers.

Thursday the 23rd is another top pick. Morning offshore winds from the W at 15 mph, with an 8ft SW swell and an 11-second period. That’s powerful, with heaps of energy (1770). The crowd could be there though – it’s a spot that sees people sometimes, so get in early.

But the absolute standout is Friday morning, the 24th of July. Glassy, calm, and a massive 12ft SSW swell with a 16-second period. The wave energy is off the charts (5742). This is exceptional, expert-level surf. The water will be a bit colder than normal, but the conditions are absolutely pristine. If you’re an experienced surfer, this is the day you’ve been waiting for.

Saturday the 25th keeps the swell going at 10ft from the SW, with glassy conditions in the morning. The energy is still huge (3627). Another cracker for those who can handle it.

From the 26th of July into early August, the consistency drops. There’s still swell, but the winds get messy, with strong cross-onshore flows and heavy rain on the 26th. That Sunday is a write-off. The 27th and 28th are choppy or onshore.

The 29th of July offers a brief clean morning with 5ft SW swell, light cross-off winds, and decent energy (1158). A good, quiet session.

The last few days of July and into August see a shift in direction. The 30th and 31st bring a 10ft E swell, but with moderate cross-off winds. The energy is still significant (3275 on the 30th morning), but the swell direction isn’t ideal for J-Bay, and the period is shorter at 10 seconds. It’s surfable, but it doesn’t have the same magic as the earlier SW groundswells. The 1st of August fades out with smaller, cleaner E swell, but the energy is low.

So, the best of the best is Friday the 24th of July, morning session. Don’t sleep on Monday the 20th or Tuesday the 21st either. The second week has some size but less ideal wind. Get on it.

Rusty.

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