Jacobs Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 32.97° S 17.89° E

Jacobs Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 12 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Jacobs Bay sea temperature is
13.6°C
2.0° 

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


Jacobs Bay surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 16 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SW swell with onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SW swell with 3,430 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 15s period with SW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Jacobs Bay this week:

The surf forecast for Jacobs Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.4m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 1.6m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Jacobs Bay in the next 16 days are 3.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 2PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Sun 13th Sep)8ft (2.4m) 15s
Best Surf 2AM (Wed 16th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 14s
Most Powerful 2AM (Wed 16th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what Jacobs Bay has cookin’ over the next couple weeks.

Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you: the first week is a bit of a write-off for any decent paddle surfing. We’re looking at a lot of onshore and cross-shore winds messing things up, with only marginal or poor conditions flagged for most days. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing crazy.

The first real glimmer of hope doesn’t show up until Wednesday the 16th. The morning sees a solid 8ft swell from the WSW, but with a 13-second period, that’s got some punch and shape to it. The wind is cross-offshore from the SSE, and the report says “clean.” The combined swell energy is strong at 2787, so there’ll be plenty of power. The downside? That’s a big wave for beginners – over 8ft, so this is one for the experienced crew only. And with the wind staying clean through the afternoon and into Thursday morning on the 17th, those sessions could be worth a paddle if you’ve got the nerve.

Thursday afternoon on the 17th gets flagged with a score of 11 out of 10 for experienced surfers, and I can see why. A 10ft swell from the south, but the period drops to a short 8 seconds. The wind is cross-off and clean, but that swell height is pushing into expert-only territory. The energy reading is solid at 1646, but with such a short period, those waves are going to be a bit dumpy and close together – not the usual long lines you’d want for a point break.

From the 18th through the 20th, we get a string of mornings with clean, cross-off winds and clean conditions, but the swell is mostly in the 6ft to 7ft range. It’s rideable, but nothing that’s going to blow your mind. The period sits between 13 and 14 seconds, which is decent groundswell, and the energy readings are moderate to strong. It’s “marginal” according to the notes, but if you’re keen, the mornings will be your best bet before the winds shift.

Now, the big standout in this whole outlook falls on Tuesday the 22nd. That morning, Jacobs Bay gets a 7ft swell from the southwest with a 14-second period, and the wind is a light cross-offshore breeze from the SSE. The combined swell energy is strong at 1748. The report calls it “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” This is the one. Clean lines, solid power, and that light breeze will keep the surface looking like glass. For the experienced surfer, this is the session to aim for. The water’s still average temp for the season.

After that, the second week tails off a bit. The 23rd and 24th see the swell jumping too high (up to 13ft) but with messy cross-shore winds, making it a messy, dangerous mess. That’s kite-surfing territory, not paddle. The 25th morning cleans up again with a 8ft SW swell and cross-off wind, but the afternoon goes to hell with strong cross-shore chop. The last few days into the 28th are mostly marginal or poor, with strong winds spoiling the party.

So, if you’re an experienced surfer, your window is the morning of Tuesday, September 22nd. That’s the standout. For the rest of us, it’s a waiting game through the first week for a few clean but average mornings.

Rusty out.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Sat night, min 14°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Sun afternoon, fresh winds from the N by Mon morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 20°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Wed morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Tue night, strong winds from the SSE by Wed afternoon).

Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
4
0
3
1
0
0
1
0
0
!
2
1
2
2
!
2
2
2
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.4
SW
15
2.1
SW
14
2
SW
14
1.6
SW
13
1.3
SW
12
1.1
SW
12
1
SW
12
0.9
SW
11
1.6
SW
16
3
SW
14
2.5
WSW
13
1.9
WSW
13
1.6
SW
13
1.8
SW
12
3
S
8
1.5
SW
12
1.7
SW
13
1.8
SW
14
1.7
SW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2516
1804
1451
814
488
355
261
191
1367
3430
2146
1255
851
865
979
594
991
1307
961
Wind (km/h)
10
ENE
20
NNW
15
WNW
20
N
35
N
25
N
25
NNW
25
NW
20
NNW
5
WNW
30
SSE
40
SSE
30
SSE
35
SE
40
SSE
30
SSE
30
SSE
30
SE
20
SE
Wind State
off
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
4:17AM1.54m
4:29PM1.64m
4:49AM1.47m
5:00PM1.54m
5:19AM1.37m
5:30PM1.41m
5:51AM1.26m
6:01PM1.28m
6:25AM1.14m
6:38PM1.14m
7:13AM1.02m
7:34PM1.01m
Low Tide
10:14PM0.01m
10:19AM0.08m
10:45PM0.07m
10:50AM0.17m
11:15PM0.17m
11:19AM0.27m
11:44PM0.29m
11:49AM0.39m
00:16AM0.41m
12:21PM0.51m
00:54AM0.54m
1:06PM0.64m
2:04AM0.64m
part cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:50
6:48
6:48
6:47
6:45
6:43
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:37
6:37
6:38
6:38
6:39
6:40
6:40
 mm
1
2
4
1
Temp °C
20
17
17
15
15
15
15
15
16
15
12
15
14
16
18
16
16
20
18
Feels °C
18
15
17
13
9
10
11
12
12
13
6
7
5
8
10
9
9
13
13
  • Map Icons:
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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 Jacobs Bay Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Jacobs Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Jacobs Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Jacobs 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 (Jacobs 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 Jacobs 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.

Jacobs Bay is 8 km (5 miles) from the city of Saldanha. If you plan a holiday in West Coast, look for hotels and other accommodation in Saldanha. Saldanha has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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