J-Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Imperial Units

Alright crew, Rusty here breaking down J-Bay for the next couple weeks. There’s a long run of solid Southern Ocean groundswell, but that wind is gonna keep you honest. From Monday, August 24th all the way through to Tuesday, September 8th, there’s almost always a wave to be had, but the quality is all over the place. Water temp is about average for this time of year, so your 3/2 is the move.

The true standout is Tuesday morning, August 25th. We’re talking 8ft of swell from the SW with a 13-second interval. The wind is a light cross-off from the SSW at just 6 mph, setting that famous J-Bay wall up glassy and perfect. The combined energy is ripping at (3338). This is proper intermediate-to-expert territory with that size, but the conditions will be world-class. It can get a crowd here, but for a session like that, you’re sharing it with legends.

It kicks off Monday morning, August 24th, with a slightly smaller 7ft SW swell (12-second period) and a light cross-off from the SW at 3 mph. Clean, excellent waves for experienced surfers with strong energy (1101). Monday afternoon goes sideways as the wind swings cross, so get it early.

After Tuesday morning’s peak, Tuesday afternoon holds at a big 10ft (15-second period) but the wind picks up to a gentle cross-off. Still clean, but only for the big-dog crew.

Then we hit a dead zone. Wednesday, August 26th is a total loss with strong onshore east winds up to 22 mph and lumpy, messy surf. Just don’t. Thursday the 27th and Friday the 28th are marginal – lighter winds but still cross-onshore, and the swell drops to 5ft and below. The energy falls off into the moderate zone (1073). Not worth the paddle.

Saturday, August 29th is weird. The morning has a fresh cross-off from the NNW at 22 mph pushing a tiny 3ft S swell (weak energy at 612). Not great. But Saturday afternoon is a sneaky call: pure offshore wind from the W at 6 mph, and a small 4ft E swell with moderate energy (598). That could be clean and fun on the right bank.

Sunday the 31st into Monday, September 1st brings a new pulse. Monday morning, September 1st is another highlight: a 7ft SW swell (11-second period) with a light cross-off from the W at 6 mph. Clean, good energy (1109), and excellent conditions for experienced surfers. Expect a crew out.

Tuesday, September 2nd offers a clean 8ft SW swell in the morning and a solid 7ft in the afternoon, both with cross-off winds. Good, reliable, expert-level surf.

Thursday, September 3rd and Friday, September 4th get big and rowdy. Swells hit 10ft to 12ft from the WSW/SSW, with the wind cranking to 19-22 mph from the SW/W. It’s cross-off and clean, but that’s a lot of power – only the hardest chargers need apply. The energy is strong to very strong (2609-2916).

The last clear window is Saturday morning, September 5th: a clean 5ft S swell with a gentle offshore wind from the W at 9 mph. That’s a fun size with clean conditions and moderate energy (801).

The final big pulse is Sunday, September 6th, with 12ft SW swell and a 13-second period, but the wind is a fresh cross-off. Big, clean, and intimidating.

From Monday, September 7th into Tuesday the 8th, the swell fades, and Tuesday morning looks poor with a cross-on wind messing it up.

Best bet: Tuesday, August 25th morning. Close second: Monday, September 1st morning.

Rusty out.

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