
Surf Forecasts:
The Point (Gonubie Bay) surf forecast from 16 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, SW swell with 1,828 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 17 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 12s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for The Point (Gonubie Bay) this week:
The surf forecast for The Point (Gonubie Bay) over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 17) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 12s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at The Point (Gonubie Bay) in the next 16 days are 3.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 10s period and expected on Friday (Jul 17) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Fri 17th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Point (Gonubie Bay) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, mate, Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at the only spot that’s got any sort of action in this 16-day window: The Point (Gonubie Bay). It’s a point break, fairly consistent when conditions line up, and it’s exposed to the southwest swell. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing wild going on there.
The forecast starts on Friday, 17 July, but it’s a bit of a slow burner. Friday morning kicks off with a weak 3ft SSW swell, period around 13 seconds, but the wind is a cross-shore from the southwest, so it’s gonna be a bit bumpy with some cross-chop. The wave energy is weak (326), and honestly, it’s just marginal. The afternoon sees a jump to 5ft, still from the SSW, but the wind lightens up to a light cross-shore, and the energy gets moderate (603). Still not clean enough to get excited about.
Saturday 18 July morning is where it starts to look a bit more promising. The swell drops back to 4ft from the south, period 12 seconds, and the wind turns cross-offshore from the WSW. That’s a clean setup, but the energy is still moderate (469). The afternoon goes downhill quick with a moderate cross-shore and a cross-chop from a stiff SW breeze.
Sunday 19 July and Monday 20 July are a mixed bag. Sunday has light winds but cross-shore, so there’s a bit of ripple on the surface. Monday morning sees a jump in energy to 1165 (strong) with a 5ft SSW swell, but the wind is a light cross-shore from the NE, so it’s not perfect. Afternoon gets a bit cleaner but still cross-shore.
Now, Tuesday 21 July is the first real standout. The morning is glassy – zero wind – with a 4ft SE swell, period 11 seconds, and decent energy (416). That’s clean, surfable, and the point will be holding nicely. The afternoon is even better: glassy, barely a breath of wind, with a 3ft SSW swell but a very long period of 15 seconds. That’s proper groundswell energy (573), and on a point break, that’s gonna give you some long, lined-up waves. Best session of the first week, no question.
Wednesday 22 July morning stays clean with a cross-offshore breeze and a 4ft SSW swell, 13-second period, and moderate energy (713). But the afternoon gets wrecked by a fresh cross-shore from the SW at 19 mph, creating lumpy chop. Thursday 23 July is marginal all day, with cross-shore or onshore winds and 5ft swell – not worth the paddle.
Now, Friday 24 July to Saturday 25 July is the real highlight of the whole outlook. This is the one to circle on the calendar. Friday morning has a 6ft SSW swell, 16-second period, and the energy is strong (1714). Wind is a light cross-onshore, so not perfect. But Friday afternoon? Glassy, 5ft, 15-second period, and the energy is still strong (1098). That’s excellent for experienced surfers, and it’s gonna be clean. Then Saturday 25 July morning is the absolute peak: glassy, 6ft SSW swell, 18-second period – that’s a very long period groundswell – and the energy is very strong (2420). That is a pumping session for the point, but it’s for experienced surfers only. The afternoon on Saturday gets messy with a fresh cross-shore again.
Sunday 26 July is a write-off. Strong breeze from the SW, 12ft lumpy swell, and cross-chop everywhere. That’s more of a kitesurfing day than a paddle day.
From Monday 27 July onward, the swell drops and the winds get inconsistent. Monday morning has a 7ft S swell but a fresh cross-shore from the NE, so it’s bumpy. By Tuesday 28 July, it’s back to 4ft and light cross-shore, but nothing special. Wednesday 29 July morning is glassy with a tiny 3ft S swell, barely any energy (238) – you’d be on a longboard if anything. After that, from Thursday 30 July right through to Saturday 1 August, the swell completely fades to 1ft to 2ft, and the energy is weak (less than 100). It’s a flat spell, no surf worth talking about.
So, the standouts are clear: Tuesday 21 July for a clean, glassy session with some long-period groundswell, and then the absolute best is Friday 24 July afternoon through Saturday 25 July morning – that’s the big groundswell window with glassy conditions. After that, it’s a long gap of flatness until the end of the outlook. Crowds? The Point can get them sometimes, so expect a few locals out on those good days.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sat afternoon, min 15°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Wed morning, min 14°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue morning, fresh winds from the SSW by Wed afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 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) | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 11 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
292 | 326 | 603 | 302 | 469 | 536 | 1065 | 367 | 230 | 749 | 645 | 555 | 435 | 315 | 300 | 642 | 482 | 384 | 485 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | off | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:33AM1.56m | 6:02PM1.65m | 6:10AM1.47m | 6:40PM1.58m | 6:47AM1.37m | 7:18PM1.48m | 7:24AM1.25m | 7:57PM1.36m | 8:06AM1.13m | 8:42PM1.23m | 9:00AM1.03m | 9:46PM1.13m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:30PM0.13m | 11:42AM0.03m | 00:11AM0.19m | 12:17PM0.10m | 00:50AM0.28m | 12:52PM0.20m | 1:29AM0.38m | 1:28PM0.32m | 2:11AM0.48m | 2:08PM0.45m | 3:03AM0.57m | 3:00PM0.58m | 4:20AM0.64m | ||||||
— | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | |
5:19 | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 20 | 22 | 17 | 25 | 22 | 18 |
Feels °C | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 16 | 20 | 15 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 11 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 |
200 | 326 | 603 | 302 | 469 | 536 | 1065 | 367 | 230 | 749 | 645 | 555 | 435 | 315 | 273 | 642 | 482 | 384 | 485 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SE 13 | SE 10 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | E 7 | SSW 15 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 |
292 | 162 | 159 | 125 | 94 | 94 | 69 | 144 | 137 | 486 | 520 | 318 | 64 | 40 | 300 | 202 | 145 | 104 | 60 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | — | — | SSE 14 | E 10 | S 16 | SE 10 | SW 9 | SE 13 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 5 | SSW 13 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 |
2 | — | — | 68 | 127 | 5 | 28 | 39 | 205 | 35 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 101 | 58 | 61 | 59 | 29 | 14 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | SW 10 | — | — | SSW 5 | — | — | ENE 3 | NE 6 | — | — | — | SW 6 | SSW 7 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 250 | — | — | 71 | — | — | 7 | 67 | — | — | — | 86 | 147 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 38 | 38 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 255 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape - Wild Coast | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Information about the The Point (Gonubie Bay) Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for The Point (Gonubie Bay) provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at The Point (Gonubie Bay) can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our The Point (Gonubie 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 (The Point (Gonubie 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 The Point (Gonubie 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.
Are you planning a holiday in Eastern Cape - Wild Coast? If you are looking for accommodation near The Point (Gonubie Bay), camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Eastern Cape - Wild Coast, consider staying in East London which is 23 km (14 miles) away. Other places in and around Eastern Cape - Wild Coast where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Butterworth which is 62 km (39 miles) away, Stutterheim and Bisho.










