Surf Forecasts:
Thompsons Bay surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 7s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 3 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 9s period, SSW swell with 2,703 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 7s period with S swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Thompsons Bay this week:
The surf forecast for Thompsons Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 1.4m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 1.6m and 7s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Thompsons Bay in the next 16 days are 4.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 03) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sun 30th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sun 30th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thompsons Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here.
To be honest, looking at the 16-day window for Thompsons Bay, it’s a pretty grim picture for any kind of decent paddle session. The first surf recommendation doesn’t even show up until the very end. We’re looking at a massive gap with over a week of nothing but poor, blown-out conditions before we even get a sniff of anything worthwhile.
Let’s run through it. Starting at the end of August and all the way through the first week of September, it’s a write-off. You’ve got strong winds, lumpy cross-chop, and messy conditions dominating. The swell is there, but with a 10ft swell on Saturday the 29th (1309 combined energy) and a 8ft on Wednesday the 2nd, it’s all ruined by 18 to 25 mph onshore winds.
Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th of September are more of the same – fresh onshore breezes and lumpy surf. The conditions just don't let up. By the weekend, we get a bit of a tease.
Now, the true standout here is a flash in the pan, but it’s the best on offer. On Saturday the 5th of September, things could get interesting. The morning shows a nice 5ft S swell with a very long 16-second period, and the combined energy is a solid 1491 (moderate to strong). A long period groundswell like that will wrap in here, and if the offshore wind direction is favourable, it has potential. The wind is a gentle 9 mph cross-shore from the ENE. The trouble is the overall score is low – it’s called marginal, and the afternoon only gets a 1/10. It’s a gamble, but if the tide lines up, that SSW groundswell might offer a few clean ones for the patient surfer. Saturday is the only real window to keep an eye on.
After that, the second week rolls in and it’s back to poor conditions. Sunday the 6th has a 8ft ENE windswell with messy cross-chop, and the following week is a story of gale-force winds and rain on Monday the 7th, then persistent strong onshore breezes right through to the 13th of September. The water temperature is sitting about average for the time of year here.
So, to sum it up: the only flicker of hope is Saturday the 5th of September with that long-period groundswell. Otherwise, it’s a period to leave the board in the car and maybe go for a walk.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 27°C on Sat afternoon, min 16°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NE on Sat afternoon, calm by Sun night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 33°C on Thu afternoon, min 17°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | ENE 7 | SSW 7 | S 8 | S 7 | SSW 12 | SSW 6 | S 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 675 | 661 | 1122 | 1296 | 352 | 322 | 203 | 207 | 216 | 235 | 181 | 74 | 198 | 583 | 419 | 126 | 195 | 441 | 2150 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 4:17AM1.87m | 4:35PM1.97m | 4:44AM1.88m | 5:03PM1.99m | 5:12AM1.86m | 5:31PM1.95m | 5:41AM1.79m | 6:01PM1.86m | 6:12AM1.67m | 6:34PM1.71m | 6:46AM1.52m | 7:13PM1.53m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:13PM0.08m | 10:22AM-0.03m | 10:41PM0.04m | 10:48AM-0.04m | 11:09PM0.04m | 11:16AM-0.01m | 11:39PM0.09m | 11:46AM0.06m | 00:10AM0.18m | 12:18PM0.18m | 00:45AM0.33m | 12:54PM0.35m | 1:28AM0.50m | ||||||
 |  | |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — |
 | 5:37 | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 |
Temp °C | 21 | 23 | 27 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 23 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 31 | 33 | 22 |
Feels °C | 15 | 17 | 20 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 27 | 30 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | SSE 12 | S 12 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | S 7 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | E 8 | S 7 | SSW 12 | ENE 9 | E 10 |
| kJ | 184 | 252 | 187 | 785 | 352 | 322 | 124 | 207 | 216 | 235 | 181 | 69 | 198 | 109 | 51 | 126 | 195 | 84 | 48 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | — | — | S 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | E 9 | SSE 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 8 | SSW 7 | S 7 | SSW 14 | E 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | E 9 | E 9 | S 18 |
| kJ | 163 | — | — | 101 | 41 | 24 | 203 | 20 | 12 | 12 | 5 | 4 | 19 | 74 | 116 | 113 | 59 | 60 | 25 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SE 15 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | S 6 | SSW 9 | SSE 10 | S 10 | S 11 | S 6 | — | NE 7 | E 8 | SE 5 | — | ENE 7 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 8 | 18 | 28 | 28 | 7 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 3 | — | 25 | 37 | 10 | — | 4 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | SSW 7 | S 7 | — | — | SE 5 | — | NE 4 | ENE 5 | NNE 6 | SSW 7 | S 8 | — | NE 4 | SSW 6 | S 9 |
| kJ | 675 | 661 | 1122 | 1296 | 317 | 278 | — | — | 20 | — | 16 | 74 | 69 | 583 | 419 | — | 5 | 441 | 2150 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 261 | 442 | 474 | 25 | 204 | 307 | 0 | 39 | 39 | 0 | 42 | 9 | 6 | 277 | 118 | 42 | 277 | 277 | 626 |
Best forecast wave conditions in KwaZulu-Natal North Coast | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Thompsons Bay Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Thompsons Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Thompsons Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Thompsons 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 (Thompsons 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 Thompsons 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.
Thompsons Bay is 3 km (2 miles) from the city of Ballitoville. If you plan a holiday in KwaZulu-Natal North Coast, look for hotels and other accommodation in Ballitoville. Ballitoville has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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