Surf Forecasts:
Jacobs Bay surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 16 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with 3,516 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 16 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 13s 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 16) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 13s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy 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 Monday (Aug 17) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Jacobs Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Yo, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on offer at Jacobs Bay over the next couple of weeks.
Right now, we’ve got a bit of a wait before things line up. For the first couple of days, it’s pretty marginal – a mix of cross-shore winds and a 7ft to 8ft WSW swell with 14-second period, but it’s got that slight chop or cross-chop that spoils it. The water’s sitting at 56°, which is a solid 4° colder than average for this time of year – definitely a thick wetsuit kind of morning, mates. Energy levels are high though (1628 on Saturday), but the quality just isn’t there yet.
Now, the real standout comes Monday morning, August 17th. We’re talking a 10ft WSW swell with a 13-second period and glassy conditions – that’s a rare combination of size and clean face. The wind is glassy, the wave energy is pumping (2651). This is the session to aim for if you’re an experienced surfer, because 10ft is pushing into expert territory, and the period is decent enough for shape. But be warned: crowds are sometimes an issue here, so get out early.
The other big moment to circle is Monday morning, August 24th. A 10ft SSW groundswell with a very long 17-second period, and clean offshore-ish cross-off wind from the SSE at 10 km/h. Energy is massive at 5309. This is another expert-only swell, but the long period means it’s going to be powerful and pushy – better for a point or reef, but Jacobs Bay being an exposed spot, it’ll handle it. Just know it’s a week out, so keep an eye on it.
For the rest of the period, we’ve got solid swell – 7ft to 8ft – but winds swing between cross and onshore, so it’s more for the keen local who doesn’t mind some lump. Late on the 27th there’s a morning glass-off with a 7ft SW swell and 14-second period – clean, but still moderate energy (1697). That’s a nice morning session for the intermediate crew.
Overall, the first week is a bust for clean, rideable surf. Then Monday the 17th is your best early bet, and Monday the 24th is the big, promising long-range standouts. Don’t sleep on the cold water and don’t underestimate the size.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon morning, min 14°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | ||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 11 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1628 | 1605 | 1621 | 2152 | 3516 | 2651 | 2245 | 1995 | 1797 | 961 | 1830 | 1369 | 1255 | 1111 | 1149 | 1671 | 2731 | 1496 | 1162 | 955 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 5:05PM1.66m | 5:23AM1.45m | 5:39PM1.57m | 5:58AM1.34m | 6:13PM1.44m | 6:34AM1.23m | 6:49PM1.30m | 7:14AM1.11m | 7:31PM1.16m | 8:10AM1.00m | 8:35PM1.05m | 9:51AM0.94m | 10:26PM1.00m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:22PM0.09m | 11:24AM0.15m | 11:57PM0.19m | 11:57AM0.26m | 00:32AM0.30m | 12:31PM0.39m | 1:09AM0.43m | 1:08PM0.52m | 1:56AM0.54m | 2:00PM0.63m | 3:21AM0.63m | 3:58PM0.71m | ||||||||
 |  | |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — |
 | 6:19 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:21 | — | — | 6:21 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 11 |
| kJ | 1628 | 1605 | 1621 | 2152 | 3516 | 2651 | 2245 | 1995 | 1797 | 961 | 1830 | 1369 | 1255 | 1111 | 1149 | 1671 | 2731 | 1496 | 1162 | 955 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 16 | — | — | WSW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 7 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 276 | — | — | 683 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 117 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 3 | S 5 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | S 5 | S 4 | S 6 | — | — | S 4 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 64 | 212 | 176 | 149 | 77 | 28 | 160 | — | — | 16 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 18 | 28 | 97 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 31 | 28 | 28 | 131 | 28 | 29 | 106 | 28 | 131 | 131 | 29 | 28 | 31 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in West Coast | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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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