Surf Forecasts:
Oyster Bay surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 13s period, SW swell with 5,306 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s 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 3.0m and 12s 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 4.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.2m 13s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Oyster Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's get into it.
Oi, looking at the next couple of weeks, it’s a pretty frustrating run for Oyster Bay (a sandbar set-up). We’ve got a massive, gnarly gap right at the start. The first decent look isn't until Wednesday the 19th, and even then it's a tricky call.
We kick off with nothing worthwhile on Monday the 17th or Tuesday the 18th. The swell is there but the wind is just wrong, keeping it choppy and messy. It's a real flat spell to begin with. Wednesday morning the 19th, we see a big, powerful SW swell coming through, hitting around 8ft with a period of 13 seconds. The combined energy is strong (2412). But here’s the thing – it’s cross-on and the wave comment says it's just too big for this break. For experienced surfers only, and even then, the setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. The rest of that week is a write-off with strong winds and lumpy conditions.
The real standout here is still a week and a half away. Mark your calendars for Monday the 24th of August. The morning session looks magic. We get that SW swell running at a solid 7ft, but the wind is forecast to be glassy. That’s a major positive. The water is about average for the time of year at 56°F. It’s going to be clean, but because it’s a sandbar that’s inconsistent, you’ll want to pick your peak carefully. That's the best on offer.
After that, the pattern turns messy again with strong cross-on winds through the end of August, smashing in huge SW swells up to 15ft and 13ft. That’s expert territory, and with the fresh winds, it’ll be lumpy and hard work. Not a beginner's window at all.
There is a second glimmer right at the tail end – Friday morning the 28th of August. Another glassy forecast with a 7ft SSW swell. It's a similar story to the 24th: clean conditions and a rare chance for smooth waves. But the afternoon blows out again.
First thing in September, the 1st, we get a bit of a clean cross-off wind from the ENE, which will tidy up those 7ft SW swells, but the rating is only marginal, so don’t expect perfection.
All in all, the only two standouts that are truly worth chasing are the glassy mornings on Monday the 24th and Friday the 28th. The rest is either too big, too windy, or too messy. It’s a dry spell, but it tends not to stay poor for long.
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 W by Wed night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri morning, fresh winds from the WSW by Sat afternoon). | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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 11 | E 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
185 | 110 | 1589 | 2201 | 2702 | 2331 | 2142 | 1292 | 5306 | 4323 | 2683 | 1713 | 735 | 644 | 1305 | 2293 | 2771 | 1934 | 1702 | 1112 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross |
High Tide | 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 | 1:39PM1.09m | 1:43AM1.19m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 7:26AM0.59m | 7:40PM0.61m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | |
5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 15 | 14 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 |
1915 | 1599 | 1589 | 2201 | 2702 | 2331 | 2142 | 1292 | 5306 | 4323 | 2683 | 1713 | 735 | 644 | 1305 | 2293 | 2771 | 1934 | 1702 | 1112 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 9 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | — | — | — | — | E 10 |
185 | 110 | 72 | 71 | 47 | 43 | 27 | 26 | 13 | 13 | 6 | 6 | 594 | 450 | 186 | — | — | — | — | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 5 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 6 | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 350 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 90 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 4 | 2 | 21 | 4 | 64 | 1 | 132 | 132 | 22 | 4 | 64 | 0 | 4 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 1 | 4 | 1 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape (South) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











