Surf Forecasts:
J-Bay surf forecast from 9 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 10 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 12s period, SSW swell with 3,945 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 10 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 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 (Aug 10) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 1.5m and 8s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at J-Bay in the next 16 days are 4.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 3s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Mon 10th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Mon 10th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sun 9th Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for J-Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let’s have a look at the next couple of weeks for J-Bay. The pattern's a bit of a messy start, but there’s some real magic on the cards later on. We’ve got a long wait, so grab a coffee.
First up, we’ve got a huge slug of cross-shore wind and lumpy, choppy conditions that’ll keep the paddle-able waves pretty scarce right through until Thursday, 13th August. The water’s sitting at a very unusual 58°F, which is a massive 8°F colder than it should be for this time of year—that’s a full-body wetsuit and booties kind of situation.
Things finally start to look up on the morning of Friday, 14th August. We get a 5ft south-west swell running on a 15-second period, but the real kicker is the light north-northwest breeze. It’s clean, cross-off, and the energy is solid (1140 on the gauge). That’s the first real chance for some lined-up walls at the point.
The standout session of the whole forecast, though, absolutely lands on Sunday, 23rd August. The morning is glassy with a 7ft south-southwest swell, a 12-second period, and a hint of east-northeast breeze. The combined energy is pumping at 1765. The afternoon is somehow even better: completely glassy, a 6ft south-southwest swell, and a 14-second period with energy at 1855. That’s a full day of effortless, ramp-like waves that will hold shape. It’s going to be a classic. Just a heads-up: crowds are sometimes a factor here, so get in early.
Also keep an eye on the morning of Saturday, 22nd August. You’ve got a 7ft south-southwest swell with a whisper-light north-west breeze. It’s clean, and the energy is right up there at 1821, but that 7ft is getting a bit heavy for the average punter—this one’s for the crew who earn their waves.
Otherwise, the rest of the window is a game of waiting for the wind to behave. There are signs of a clean cross-off from the 21st of August, but the 23rd is the one you book off work for.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 40mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue afternoon, min 11°C on Sun afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the S on Sun afternoon, light winds from the SW by Mon morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Wed morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the E on Wed afternoon, light winds from the N by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | S 13 | SSW 12 | ESE 8 | SSW 21 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | E 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 3883 | 3110 | 3181 | 1871 | 2090 | 3017 | 2943 | 1022 | 522 | 712 | 922 | 1309 | 1652 | 1068 | 1643 | 930 | 864 | 598 | 471 | 532 | 627 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:24PM1.24m | 1:44AM1.41m | 2:20PM1.42m | 2:35AM1.53m | 3:04PM1.59m | 3:18AM1.63m | 3:44PM1.72m | 3:57AM1.68m | 4:20PM1.79m | 4:32AM1.68m | 4:55PM1.81m | 5:06AM1.63m | 5:28PM1.77m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:29PM0.44m | 8:08AM0.28m | 8:27PM0.28m | 8:52AM0.14m | 9:13PM0.15m | 9:31AM0.03m | 9:54PM0.07m | 10:06AM-0.03m | 10:32PM0.03m | 10:40AM-0.04m | 11:06PM0.05m | 11:11AM-0.00m | 11:39PM0.11m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | | |  |  |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — |
 | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — |
mm | 8 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 14 | 16 | 21 | 16 | 22 | 24 | 21 | 23 | 25 | 22 |
Feels °C | 8 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 8 | 13 | 17 | 13 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | S 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SW 16 | E 7 | E 8 | SW 14 | E 8 |
| kJ | 3883 | 3110 | 3181 | 1871 | 2090 | 3017 | 2943 | 1022 | 509 | 340 | 922 | 1309 | 1652 | 1068 | 1643 | 930 | 864 | 276 | 223 | 532 | 364 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | — | SE 8 | — | SSW 24 | SSW 21 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | S 9 | SSW 19 | S 9 | E 7 | — | SW 14 | SW 14 | S 13 | SW 14 |
| kJ | 47 | 31 | 90 | 73 | 72 | — | 456 | — | 111 | 712 | 297 | 121 | 7 | 694 | 2 | 212 | — | 598 | 471 | 3 | 418 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 9 | S 13 | SSW 14 | — | — | — | S 10 | — | S 10 | S 10 | — | S 9 | S 11 | — | — | E 11 | S 13 | — | S 13 |
| kJ | — | — | 45 | 3 | 165 | — | — | — | 8 | — | 45 | 31 | — | 7 | 2 | — | — | 20 | 3 | — | 3 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | — | — | — | — | SE 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 7 | E 8 | — | E 8 | — | — | E 8 | E 8 |
| kJ | — | 381 | 344 | — | — | — | — | 519 | 522 | 377 | 442 | 750 | 398 | 385 | 564 | — | 273 | — | — | 284 | 627 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3 | 894 | 3 | 257 | 197 | 183 | 197 | 561 | 140 | 141 | 197 | 140 | 140 | 172 | 140 | 0 | 31 | 0 | 19 | 31 | 0 |
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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