Surf Forecasts:
Jacobs Bay surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 14s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 14s period, SW swell with 1,922 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 14s period with WSW 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 (Aug 23) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 1.5m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 1.3m and 10s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Jacobs Bay in the next 16 days are 2.2m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Tue 25th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Jacobs Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s shaping up at Jacobs Bay over the next couple of weeks.
We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but once the swell kicks in, it’s proper. The standout session is looking like Wednesday morning, the 26th of August. The swell is a solid 5 ft from the SW with a period of 13 seconds, and the wind is glassy from the ESE. That’s pure magic for an experienced surfer - clean, glassy conditions, and the wave energy is strong with a combined energy of 1300. Jacobs Bay is a beginner-friendly spot, but with this size and power, it’s one for the crew who know what they’re doing. The water temperature is about average for the time of year.
The real big news is what’s coming early September. From the 1st of September, the swell absolutely lets loose. Tuesday morning the 1st has 10 ft from the SW with a period of 14 seconds, combined energy of 3555, and light cross conditions. That’s a huge groundswell, and it’s going to be too big for beginners - really only for experts. The wind is light, but the swell is so big it’s borderline for the break itself. This pattern of 10 ft to 16 ft swells continues for days, with a massive 13 ft on the 2nd and 16 ft on the 6th. The wind is mixed, often cross or cross-off, but the size is the story. If you’re experienced and looking for a serious challenge, the first week of September is where it’s at.
The few days in between, like the 28th and 29th of August, have some smaller, clean options. Friday morning the 28th sees 3 ft from the WSW with a 16-second period and offshore wind from the E - clean and glassy, but small. The afternoon of the 28th is glassy too with 5 ft. Not the biggest, but clean.
Crowds are possible at Jacobs Bay, so on the good days, expect some company.
For the more adventurous, when the swell is over 8 ft and the wind is cross, it gets interesting for kite surfers too. The big days from the 1st to the 6th of September, with 10 ft to 16 ft and cross or cross-off winds, will be a kite playground.
Alright, that’s the word from the beach. Keep your eyes on that glassy Wednesday and the big September swells. Stay safe out there.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Sun morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Sat night, fresh winds from the S by Mon afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Fri morning, min 15°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | ||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 11 | WSW 16 | WSW 14 | WSW 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 630 | 1569 | 1376 | 980 | 723 | 447 | 936 | 1891 | 1824 | 1169 | 803 | 534 | 459 | 418 | 410 | 186 | 402 | 724 | 1024 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | off | glassy | on |
High Tide | 00:05AM1.05m | 12:56PM1.08m | 1:01AM1.15m | 1:35PM1.21m | 1:40AM1.25m | 2:07PM1.33m | 2:13AM1.35m | 2:36PM1.44m | 2:44AM1.43m | 3:04PM1.54m | 3:14AM1.49m | 3:32PM1.61m | 3:45AM1.52m | ||||||
Low Tide | 6:45AM0.52m | 7:07PM0.56m | 7:27AM0.41m | 7:45PM0.45m | 7:59AM0.31m | 8:17PM0.34m | 8:27AM0.22m | 8:46PM0.24m | 8:54AM0.14m | 9:15PM0.16m | 9:21AM0.09m | 9:44PM0.10m | |||||||
 |  | | | | | | | | | |  | | | |  | | | | |
 | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — |
 | 6:23 | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:28 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 19 | 26 | 26 | 24 |
Feels °C | 16 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 14 | 15 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 23 | 23 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 11 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 11 | S 11 | WSW 14 | WSW 15 |
| kJ | 508 | 1569 | 1376 | 980 | 723 | 447 | 936 | 1891 | 1824 | 1169 | 803 | 451 | 459 | 418 | 410 | 186 | 326 | 724 | 1024 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | — | SW 13 | SSW 10 | WSW 11 | W 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | S 9 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | S 11 | WSW 16 | S 10 | S 10 |
| kJ | 333 | 171 | 66 | — | 41 | 133 | 245 | 61 | 71 | 142 | 399 | 534 | 353 | 256 | 204 | 146 | 402 | 208 | 128 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 14 | — | — | — | — | SW 15 | SW 10 | — | — | — | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | S 14 | WSW 16 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | — | S 4 |
| kJ | 630 | — | — | — | — | 115 | 157 | — | — | — | 98 | 128 | 169 | 103 | 26 | 138 | 135 | — | 3 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 4 | S 5 | S 6 | S 6 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 3 | — |
| kJ | — | — | 9 | 55 | 86 | 134 | 378 | 418 | 377 | 443 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 106 | 28 | 28 | 134 | 28 | 28 | 469 | 28 | 0 | 29 | 17 | 17 | 31 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 29 |
Best forecast wave conditions in West Coast | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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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