Surf Forecasts:
Mbotyi surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, S swell with onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 19s period, S swell with 16,634 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 9s period with ENE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Mbotyi this week:
The surf forecast for Mbotyi over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Mbotyi in the next 16 days are 5.0m 19s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 22s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 06) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 5PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 16ft (5.0m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Mbotyi over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s be straight—this is a rough run for Mbotyi over the next two and a half weeks. The first three days are pretty much a write-off, with tiny, weak swell and messy wind. Things try to turn around mid-week on September 3rd, but it’s still pretty average, so don’t get your hopes up.
The Opening Gap
From now through Tuesday the 2nd, there’s nothing worth paddling out for. Small swell, poor conditions—just leave the board in the car.
Wednesday, September 3rd – The First Glimmer
Wednesday morning brings a clean window. The swell is tiny at 2 ft from the east, with a short 8-second period, so the combined energy is weak (64). But the wind is light WSW, a nice cross-off, keeping it glassy. It’s surfable but very ordinary—beginners might enjoy the small, clean waves. Crowds are possible here at Mbotyi, but on a day like this, you’ll probably have plenty of room. Water temp is 68°F, about average for this time of year.
Thursday, September 4th – Big, But Ugly
Friday the 4th sees a big jump in swell—13 ft from the south on the morning, with moderate energy (3394). But it’s onshore, lumpy, and messy. The note says it’s too big for this break, and honestly, it looks more like a kitesurfing day than a paddle session. Same story in the afternoon, though the swell drops to 12 ft and the wind backs off a touch.
Saturday, September 5th – Marginal
Saturday morning has 6 ft from the SSE, period around 8 seconds, with cross-shore wind. It’s marginal—cross-chop makes it tricky, but if you’re desperate, there might be a couple of so-so waves. The afternoon drops to 5 ft, still nothing special.
Sunday, September 6th – No Dice
Light rain and onshore wind. Swell drops to 3 ft from the east in the morning, then 2 ft from the south with a looong 23-second period in the afternoon—that kind of period makes it hard for beach breaks to shape up.
Monday, September 7th – Too Big Again
A 10 ft south swell with a 16-second period hits the morning, combined energy cranking (4916). The wind is a fresh cross-shore from the NE, but the forecast says it’s too big for Mbotyi. Afternoon drops to 8 ft but still cross-onshore and chunky. Expert only, if at all.
Tuesday, September 8th to Thursday, September 10th – Marginal and Mediocre
Swell hangs between 2 ft and 7 ft, mostly from the ENE with short 8-second periods. Winds are cross or cross-on, and conditions stay marginal or poor. Not worth planning around.
Friday, September 11th – Dead
Swell bottoming out at 2 ft from the east, 8-second period, energy barely 49. Don’t bother.
Saturday, September 12th – A Possible Late Window
Saturday morning offers 8 ft from the ENE with a short 8-second period and cross-shore SW winds. It’s marginal but could have a few lumps. The afternoon is lighter at 7 ft, still cross-onshore. Not a standout, but maybe the best of a bad bunch if you’re keen.
Sunday, September 13th – Onshore Mess
Rain and onshore wind again. Swell 8 ft in the morning, then 6 ft in the afternoon—both ENE, with onshore chop. No thanks.
Monday, September 14th to Wednesday, September 16th – Fading Out
Swell drops back under 5 ft, mostly weak and cross-shore. The last few days show nothing to get excited about.
Overall Verdict
Honestly, there’s no true standout in this 16-day window. The best bet is the early morning of September 3rd for a clean, tiny wave if you’re just wanting to float around. Saturday the 12th morning might offer a bit more size but it’s messy. For Mbotyi, it’s going to be a quiet, frustrating stretch. Forecasts can change though.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 31mm), heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 29°C on Thu morning, min 17°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 46mm), heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri morning, min 16°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSE on Fri morning, calm by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | |||||||||||||||
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) | E 9 | ENE 9 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 9 | SE 8 | SSE 8 | E 10 | E 10 | SSE 7 | S 19 | S 16 | S 14 | SSE 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
81 | 166 | 90 | 74 | 73 | 51 | 37 | 79 | 189 | 3740 | 1690 | 1080 | 625 | 294 | 268 | 225 | 187 | 16634 | 6077 | 3236 | 662 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross | glassy | cross | on | glassy | cross | cross | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross | cross | glassy | on | on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:02PM1.69m | 6:14AM1.49m | 6:36PM1.56m | 6:49AM1.35m | 7:17PM1.39m | 7:36AM1.18m | 8:17PM1.21m | 9:10AM1.03m | 10:41PM1.09m | 12:15PM1.07m | 00:52AM1.19m | 1:34PM1.27m | 1:52AM1.36m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:46AM0.07m | 00:13AM0.18m | 12:18PM0.18m | 00:49AM0.31m | 12:55PM0.33m | 1:34AM0.47m | 1:45PM0.51m | 2:50AM0.63m | 3:30PM0.67m | 5:36AM0.65m | 6:28PM0.63m | 7:16AM0.50m | 7:44PM0.45m | ||||||||
6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | |
— | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 31 | 27 | 5 | — | — | 1 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 22 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 29 | 23 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 16 |
Feels °C | 22 | 23 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 29 | 22 | 20 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 13 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 10 | SSE 9 | SE 8 | SSE 8 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 24 | S 19 | S 16 | S 14 | SSE 11 |
81 | 57 | 316 | 763 | 1010 | 549 | 213 | 186 | 189 | 69 | 1690 | 1080 | 625 | 294 | 268 | 225 | 1657 | 16634 | 6077 | 3236 | 662 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 5 | E 5 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 5 | ENE 9 | SSW 11 | E 10 | ESE 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | E 8 | SE 8 | SSW 11 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | — | SSW 13 |
14 | 14 | 90 | 74 | 73 | 51 | 25 | 79 | 121 | 65 | 673 | 85 | 160 | 116 | 125 | 240 | 139 | 83 | 65 | — | 746 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 7 | SSW 14 | — | — | — | NE 8 | E 8 | NE 8 | SW 12 | — | NE 9 | ENE 10 | E 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 11 | SSW 26 | SSW 10 | — | — | — | — |
16 | 73 | — | — | — | 30 | 37 | 16 | 49 | — | 19 | 21 | 54 | 127 | 259 | 67 | 106 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ENE 9 | — | SSW 4 | — | — | SE 4 | S 4 | SSE 6 | S 10 | — | — | E 8 | — | — | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | — | — | ENE 5 | ENE 7 |
— | 166 | — | 10 | — | — | 1 | 9 | 117 | 3740 | — | — | 213 | — | — | 104 | 187 | — | — | 102 | 262 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 19 | 216 | 0 | 111 | 90 | 0 | 0 | 67 | 19 | 1617 | 2787 | 710 | 209 | 216 | 82 | 428 | 1060 | 696 | 688 | 696 | 338 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape - Wild Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Mbotyi Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Mbotyi provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Mbotyi can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Mbotyi 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 (Mbotyi) 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 Mbotyi 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.
Mbotyi is 26 km (16 miles) from the city of Port Saint Johns. If you plan a holiday in Eastern Cape - Wild Coast, look for hotels and other accommodation in Port Saint Johns. Port Saint Johns has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











