J-Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.05° S 24.93° E

J-Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 22 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's J-Bay sea temperature is
17.6° C
1.6° 

J-Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


J-Bay surf forecast from 22 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, SSW swell with 7,908 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 22 Jul, 5AM (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 Wednesday (Jul 22) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 11s. 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 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 8PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Wed 22nd Jul)8ft (2.5m) 13s
Best Surf 8AM (Fri 24th Jul)13ft (4.0m) 16s
Most Powerful 8AM (Fri 24th Jul)13ft (4.0m) 16s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for J-Bay over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Right, let's have a look at what's on the cards for our little slice of paradise. The main man here is J-Bay, and it's looking like a proper story of two halves over this 16-day stretch. We've got a big, clean pulse coming mid-week next week that's got all the makings of a classic, but the bookends are a bit of a mixed bag.

We kick off on Wednesday the 22nd with a solid 7ft SW groundswell, period hanging around 12 seconds. The wind's a light cross-off, so the lines will be clean. The combined energy is sitting at 1805 (moderate), but it's solid enough for the experienced crew. It's a touch on the bigger side for a beginner, but for the rest of us, it's a proper goer. Thursday the 23rd starts similar, with a 6ft SW swell and light cross-off winds, but the arvo gets blown out with a strong 25 mph cross-off. That's a write-off.

Now, Friday the 24th is the one. This is the standout. We're looking at a 13ft SSW groundswell with a very long 16-second period. That's a serious amount of water moving, with the combined energy hitting 7665 (strong to very strong). The wind is a glassy offshore from the NW. That's the dream team. This is a big, powerful wave – strictly for experts only. It'll be barrelling down the point, but that long period will keep it lined up perfectly. Just be aware, with that size and power, it's not a day for the faint of heart. Crowds are often a thing here, and on a day like this, they'll be inevitable.

Saturday the 25th is a nice follow-up. The swell drops to a still-chunky 8ft from the SW, period 14 seconds, and it's glassy again in the morning. The energy is down to 2179 (moderate), but it's still a fantastic, clean wave for experienced surfers. Sunday the 26th and Monday the 27th are smaller but clean, with 6ft to 8ft SW swell, light to moderate cross-off winds. The energy stays in the moderate range (around 1194-1908). Good, fun, workable surf.

Things get a bit messy from Tuesday the 28th through to the end of the month. Strong onshore winds, rain, and a bumpy 10ft SSW swell. That's a kite-surfing setup if ever I saw one. The energy is high (up to 5559), but the quality is poor. We have a bit of a lull, with only small, choppy, onshore waves for the first few days of August.

We get a second wind on Monday the 3rd of August. A clean 7ft swell from the east, but with a short 8-second period. The energy is 1788 (moderate). It's a different beast, but clean. This is a promising call, but remember, it's over a week away, so take it with a pinch of salt. The real highlight for the second week, though, is Wednesday the 5th of August. Another promising pulse: 8ft SW swell, 14-second period, and light cross-off winds. That's got "excellent" written all over it, with the energy at 2728 (moderate to strong). And Thursday the 6th of August looks similar, with a 10ft SW swell and light cross-off winds, but the energy is even higher at 3393. That's a proper end to the outlook.

Overall, the absolute best on offer is that Friday the 24th of July. It's a no-brainer. Glassy, groundswell, and pumping. The second best would be that Wednesday the 5th of August if the forecast holds. It's a classic J-Bay track.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Wed morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Thu afternoon, calm by Fri morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Sun afternoon, min 15°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
4
4
1
5
8
3
5
4
2
4
4
4
4
4
1
2
2
0
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.2
SW
12
2.2
SW
12
1.6
SSW
13
1.9
SW
12
3
SW
12
3
SW
12
4
SSW
16
3.5
SSW
15
3
SW
14
2.4
SW
13
2.5
SW
13
2.3
SW
12
2
SW
12
1.8
SW
12
2.1
SW
12
2.2
SW
12
2.1
SW
12
2.2
SW
13
2.2
SSW
15
2.5
SSW
15
2.5
SSW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1474
1358
828
897
2451
2308
7616
5232
3517
2063
2135
1602
1112
907
1363
1415
1200
1607
2169
2998
2767
Wind (km/h)
10
WSW
25
WSW
15
W
10
WSW
35
WSW
10
SW
0
E
20
E
10
N
5
ENE
15
E
10
N
15
NNW
5
NNW
15
W
10
SW
15
ESE
10
E
15
ESE
20
ESE
10
ENE
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
on
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
High Tide
9:10AM1.04m
9:52PM1.15m
10:51AM0.98m
11:31PM1.11m
12:39PM1.02m
00:56AM1.15m
1:44PM1.12m
1:52AM1.24m
2:27PM1.23m
2:32AM1.34m
3:02PM1.34m
3:06AM1.43m
3:33PM1.44m
3:37AM1.50m
Low Tide
3:05PM0.61m
4:31AM0.65m
4:37PM0.69m
6:18AM0.63m
6:31PM0.67m
7:31AM0.55m
7:41PM0.59m
8:17AM0.45m
8:26PM0.49m
8:51AM0.34m
9:02PM0.39m
9:22AM0.24m
9:34PM0.31m
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:20
7:18
7:18
7:18
7:16
7:16
7:16
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:32
5:32
5:34
5:35
5:36
5:36
5:37
 mm
9
1
Temp °C
17
18
15
16
18
15
15
17
15
17
18
17
23
27
22
17
18
18
19
20
19
Feels °C
15
14
12
14
14
12
14
14
12
16
15
14
19
22
19
17
17
17
19
18
19
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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