Surf Forecasts:
J-Bay surf forecast from 2 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 3 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 13s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 18s period, SSW swell with 7,833 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 3 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 13s 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 Thursday (Sep 03) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 13s period. 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 3.5m 18s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for J-Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey, it’s Rusty. Let’s break down the J-Bay forecast for the next 16 days.
Things start rough. Wednesday morning September 2nd brings a 10-foot SW swell with a 13-second period, and combined energy at 3415. But the wind is straight onshore from the ESE at 6 mph, making it lumpy. Water temp is 60°, which is 7° colder than average – that’s a serious chill, so layer up. The conditions are marginal at best, and this onshore mess sticks around through the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th. Sunday September 6th afternoon sees a huge 12-foot SSW swell with an 18-second period and energy at 8675, but it’s still cross-onshore and lumpy – better for kite surfing than paddling.
Finally, Monday morning September 7th is our first real standout. The wind goes light NW at 3 mph, giving us a clean, cross-offshore flow. We’ve got a solid 7-foot SSW groundswell with a 14-second period and energy at 2604. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. The long period will make for great lines at the point. Crowds are possible but on a Monday, you might score.
The swell backs off after that. Wednesday morning September 9th is a beauty – glassy conditions with a light WSW breeze. Swell is only 2 feet but with a very long 18-second period, so the combined energy is light at 634, but those waves will be clean and peeling. Wednesday afternoon picks up to 5 feet with a clean cross-offshore breeze. Thursday September 17th morning is the big one for the experts. A 10-foot SW groundswell with a 15-second period and energy at 3790, with a gentle SSW cross-offshore wind. That’s a lot of water moving, and it’s only for experienced surfers. It’s a long-range call, so don’t book your flights yet, but it looks promising.
In between those days, there are a few clean windows but with smaller surf and less consistency. The second week is generally quieter with more onshore winds. So, bottom line: Monday September 7th morning is your top pick for size and clean conditions. For smaller, glassy perfection, hit Wednesday September 9th morning. And for the big-wave crew, keep an eye on Thursday September 17th morning.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Thu morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 14°C on Wed morning). Winds increasing (calm on Wed morning, strong winds from the SSE by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Mon morning, min 15°C on Sat morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the E on Sun morning, light winds from the N by Mon morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | |||||||||||||||
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 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 12 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 21 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 3415 | 2733 | 2270 | 1885 | 822 | 2548 | 1469 | 694 | 419 | 505 | 469 | 380 | 3225 | 7833 | 3524 | 1835 | 1576 | 1067 | 603 | 457 | 254 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross |
High Tide | 6:35PM1.52m | 6:53AM1.29m | 7:20PM1.36m | 7:49AM1.14m | 8:32PM1.19m | 9:45AM1.02m | 10:56PM1.12m | 12:16PM1.11m | 00:45AM1.23m | 1:25PM1.30m | 1:43AM1.38m | 2:11PM1.50m | 2:26AM1.51m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:15PM0.23m | 00:51AM0.32m | 12:56PM0.38m | 1:44AM0.48m | 1:55PM0.54m | 3:16AM0.61m | 4:00PM0.66m | 5:47AM0.59m | 6:28PM0.58m | 7:10AM0.43m | 7:38PM0.40m | 7:58AM0.27m | 8:23PM0.24m | ||||||||
 | |  |  |  |  | |  | | | | | | | |  | |  | | | | |
 | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — |
 | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — |
mm | — | — | — | 5 | 6 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 25 | 22 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 16 |
Feels °C | 14 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 25 | 19 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 21 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 3415 | 2733 | 2270 | 1885 | 822 | 341 | 239 | 237 | 173 | 505 | 469 | 380 | 3225 | 7833 | 3524 | 1835 | 1576 | 1067 | 603 | 457 | 254 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | E 9 | — | ESE 11 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | SSW 10 | — | SSE 16 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 |
| kJ | 27 | 26 | 24 | 15 | 13 | — | 12 | 154 | 112 | 66 | 47 | 40 | 223 | — | 24 | 734 | 492 | 332 | 207 | 139 | 78 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | ENE 9 | — | — | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | — | — | SSW 26 | WSW 10 | — | — | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | S 10 | SW 5 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 26 | — | — | 22 | 74 | 189 | — | — | 129 | 18 | — | — | 35 | 29 | 95 | 115 | 71 | 23 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | E 5 | SSE 6 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 9 | — | — | WSW 5 | SW 5 | WSW 6 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 26 | 418 | 2548 | 1469 | 694 | 419 | 236 | 181 | 187 | 440 | 842 | 1138 | — | — | 23 | 11 | 51 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 52 | 180 | 0 | 140 | 645 | 1606 | 1767 | 3299 | 197 | 197 | 594 | 197 | 197 | 197 | 140 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 31 |
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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