Surf Forecasts:
Oyster Bay surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 14s period, SSW swell with 7,726 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 13s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Oyster Bay this week:
The surf forecast for Oyster Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Oyster Bay in the next 16 days are 4.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.4m 13s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 15ft (4.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Oyster Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what we’ve got for Oyster Bay over the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, this is a tricky run for our local sandbar setup. Oyster Bay is an exposed sandbar that needs a specific swell direction to work, and it’s inconsistent at the best of times. The first few days are a write-off, with messy cross-onshore winds and lumpy conditions that are just not worth paddling out for. The swell energy is there, but the wind is ruining it. We’re looking at a gap of several days with no real recommendations here.
Things start to show a little promise around Wednesday morning the 19th of August. The swell jumps to 10ft from the SW with a 13-second period, and combined energy is strong at 2412. The wind is light and cross-shore, keeping it clean. The issue? 10ft is getting into the too-big-for-this-break territory. For a sandbar, that’s going to be a washing machine for most, and the optimum swell direction from the guidance is SE, which this SW swell doesn't match. It’s a shame because the wind is close to perfect.
The real standout window opens up on Monday the 24th of August into Tuesday. Monday afternoon is the pick of the whole forecast. You’ve got a clean 8ft swell from the S with a very long 15-second period, combined energy at 3773 (moderate-to-strong) and a light offshore cross-off breeze from the east. That’s excellent surf for experienced surfers. The period is long, meaning proper groundswell. At a sandbar, that can make the waves a bit straight, but with that wind and size, it’s the best shape you’ll see in this run. Tuesday morning the 25th of August holds similar but smaller, 5ft S swell, still clean with offshore wind, but less energy.
Then on Thursday morning the 27th of August, we get a moment of magic. The wind goes glassy, zero chop, with a 7ft SW swell at 13 seconds. Combined energy is 1487. That is textbook clean glass. For an inconsistent sandbar, that’s a rare treat. If you can get out, it’ll be silky.
After that, it’s back to strong cross-onshore winds and messy, lumpy waves right through to the end of the period. The 1st of September shows a clean window but it’s far out, so keep an eye on it.
So, to keep it short: Oyster Bay is a fickle spot and this forecast is mostly a bust. The two standouts are Monday afternoon the 24th of August for the best combo of size, clean wind, and long-period energy, and Thursday morning the 27th of August for the pure glassy conditions. Both are for experienced surfers given the size and the sandbar setup.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, fresh winds from the WSW by Wed afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Wed night, calm by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | SW 14 | E 11 | E 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
76 | 2020 | 185 | 110 | 1589 | 2201 | 2702 | 2369 | 2142 | 1292 | 4800 | 5012 | 3057 | 1821 | 1396 | 1027 | 1580 | 2768 | 5796 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 6:09AM1.43m | 6:29PM1.53m | 6:39AM1.31m | 6:59PM1.38m | 7:10AM1.18m | 7:31PM1.23m | 7:47AM1.05m | 8:18PM1.08m | 9:12AM0.92m | 10:37PM0.99m | 12:36PM0.95m | 00:51AM1.06m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:10AM0.20m | 12:10PM0.19m | 00:40AM0.31m | 12:39PM0.33m | 1:12AM0.44m | 1:09PM0.47m | 1:49AM0.57m | 1:47PM0.62m | 2:55AM0.69m | 3:11PM0.74m | 5:56AM0.71m | 6:33PM0.73m | |||||||
— | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | |
5:50 | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
Feels °C | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 12 | 9 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 14 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | E 8 | E 8 | — |
1142 | 2020 | 1915 | 1599 | 1589 | 2201 | 2702 | 2369 | 2142 | 1292 | 4800 | 5012 | 3057 | 1821 | 1396 | 1027 | 5 | 5 | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 4 | E 8 | — | — |
76 | 185 | 185 | 110 | 72 | 69 | 47 | 43 | 27 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 5 | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 8 | — | — | — |
57 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 4 | SW 7 | — | — | — | NE 8 | — | W 4 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 12 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 253 | — | — | — | 18 | — | 9 | 1580 | 2768 | 5796 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 22 | 2 | 64 | 1 | 132 | 22 | 19 | 4 | 64 | 23 | 7 | 19 | 22 | 133 | 19 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape (South) | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Oyster Bay Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Oyster Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Oyster Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Oyster 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 (Oyster 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 Oyster 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.
Oyster Bay is 24 km (15 miles) from the city of Kruisfontein. If you plan a holiday in Eastern Cape (South), look for hotels and other accommodation in Kruisfontein. Kruisfontein has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











