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★+): Saturday 15 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 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 Saturday (Aug 15) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 6s. 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 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 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 14s |
| 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
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a long look at what’s ahead for Jacobs Bay. We’ve got a solid run of south-west groundswell on the cards, but the timing and wind are going to be everything. The water temp is sitting right about average for the time of year, nothing freaky, so just your standard wetsuit.
The first decent window I’m looking at kicks off Saturday morning, the 15th. We’ve got a clean 6ft swell from the WSW, 14-second period, and a light cross-off breeze from the SE. The wave energy is moderate (1230). This is clean, good fun for experienced surfers, but on the smaller side. The afternoon gets wrecked by a building south wind and a cross-shore chop, so make the most of the early.
Sunday the 16th is a write-off, I’m afraid. The swell pushes up to 7ft, but the wind is cross-on for the whole day, making things messy. Monday morning the 17th is the real standout. The swell jumps to 10ft from the WSW, 13-second period, and the wind goes glassy. That’s proper power with wave energy reading strong (2832). But honestly, 10ft is big, and the guidance says it’s too big for this break. This one is for the experienced crew only, and even then, it’s a heavy session. The afternoon turns to mush with a strong cross-shore.
We go through a bit of a sloppy patch mid-week. Tuesday the 18th, Wednesday the 19th, and Thursday the 20th all have decent swell size (6ft to 7ft) but the wind is either cross or cross-off with moderate to fresh breezes, creating lumpy, bumpy conditions. The wave energy stays moderate (between 1088 and 2153). Not great for a clean ride.
Friday morning the 21st is another one to pencil in. The swell drops to 6ft from the SW with a 12-second period, but that light cross-off from the SSE cleans it up nicely. Wave energy is moderate (1078). It’s a clean, cruisy session for experienced surfers. The afternoon gets a bit onshore and choppy.
Now, the weekend of the 22nd and 23rd gets wild. Saturday the 22nd is a total no-go with 25 mph onshore winds, rain, and a massive 10ft to 12ft swell. The wave energy is through the roof (3349 to 4606). That’s kite-surfing territory, not paddle surfing. Sunday the 23rd cleans up with a cross-off wind, but the swell is 10ft to 12ft again. Too big for Jacobs Bay, and the energy is extreme (3798 to 5558). Another one for experienced surfers only, and it’s a beast.
Monday the 24th brings a welcome change – a smaller 6ft S swell, 11-second period, with a clean offshore breeze from the E. Wave energy is moderate (1771). This is a proper, clean, fun morning for experienced surfers. The wind plays the game.
We then get a bit of a mixed bag. Tuesday the 25th has a massive 18-second period, 8ft SW swell, but 31 mph NNE winds make it a mess. The afternoon cleans up with a cross-off, but the swell is still powerful. Mid-week, Wednesday the 26th and Thursday the 27th, the wind is cross-on, ruining the shape on a good 7ft to 8ft swell. Friday the 28th is blown out by strong southerlies.
The final call comes on Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th. Saturday morning is a beauty – 7ft SW swell, 12-second period, light cross-off from the SSE, and clear conditions. Wave energy is moderate (1433). Clean and punchy for the experienced. Sunday the 30th is even better: 8ft from the SW, 14 seconds, and a gentle cross-off breeze. Wave energy is moderate (2460). That’s a clean, powerful morning, and a solid way to wrap up the run.
The best of the best? No question, Monday morning the 17th for the sheer power and glass, but it’s a big one. For a cleaner, more manageable session, I’d say Friday the 21st morning or Sunday the 30th morning. Keep your eyes on the wind, because when it’s clean, Jacobs Bay has some fun.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon morning, min 12°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu night, min 13°C on Tue morning). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1179 | 1628 | 1605 | 1621 | 2152 | 3516 | 2586 | 2245 | 2026 | 1321 | 1514 | 1830 | 1476 | 1094 | 882 | 1094 | 1363 | 1031 | 866 | 688 | 475 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross | on | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | on | cross |
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 | 10:51AM0.06m | 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 | ||||||||
7:26 | — | — | 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 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 17 | 15 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 |
1179 | 1628 | 1605 | 1621 | 2152 | 3516 | 2586 | 2245 | 2026 | 1321 | 1514 | 1830 | 1476 | 1094 | 882 | 1094 | 1363 | 1031 | 866 | 688 | 475 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 16 | — | SW 12 | WSW 12 | — | — | — | — | S 7 | — | S 7 | S 6 | SW 16 | SW 14 |
51 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 257 | — | 373 | 386 | — | — | — | — | 104 | — | 138 | 24 | 64 | 221 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 4 | S 5 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | S 7 | — | S 7 | — | — | — | W 3 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 87 | 205 | 218 | 253 | 363 | — | 149 | — | — | — | 3 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 29 | 0 | 17 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 469 | 28 | 28 | 131 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 17 | 127 | 17 |
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.











