
Surf Forecasts:
Thompsons Bay surf forecast from 13 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 13s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 13s period, S swell with 6,586 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 14 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 9s period with SE 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 Tuesday (Jul 14) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Thompsons Bay in the next 16 days are 4.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Tue 14th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 15ft (4.5m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 15ft (4.5m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thompsons Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break it down for Thompsons Bay. It’s a bit of a mixed bag over the next couple of weeks, so keep your expectations in check.
There’s a gap of a few days before anything worth paddling for shows up. The first real chance is Saturday morning, July 18th. The swell is 4 feet from the SSW, with a very long period of 14 seconds – that’s proper groundswell. The winds are light and cross-shore, so the surface is clean, just a few ripples. The combined energy is moderate, coming in at 1146, so there’s enough power for a decent ride. The water is about average for the time of year, nothing unusual.
The standout session is Sunday afternoon, July 19th. The swell holds at 5 feet from the S, with a 12-second period and light cross-offshore winds. That’s clean, lined-up surf with a good shape. The break is fairly consistent, but expect some company – crowds are possible. The energy is solid at 827, so it’s no fluke.
Now, Monday, July 20th brings a big pulse. The swell jumps to 13 feet in the morning and 15 feet in the afternoon from the S, with a period of 10 to 11 seconds. The combined energy rockets to 3601 and then 4936 – that’s strong, powerful stuff. But the winds are cross-onshore, making it choppy and messy. At this size, it’s only for experts, and the conditions are rough. This setup is more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
After that, the swell drops. Wednesday morning, July 22nd has a tiny 3-foot SSW swell with a super-long 16-second period, but only moderate energy at 1100. The winds are light and cross-shore, so it’s clean but small. The afternoon of the 22nd offers a better 6-foot SSE swell with a 13-second period and clean cross-offshore winds, but it’s still a marginal call.
From Thursday, July 23rd onward, it’s mostly poor. The wind turns nasty on Thursday afternoon with a fresh cross-onshore breeze at 22 mph, ruining a small 3-foot swell. The final week is a washout – light rain, strong winds, and tiny waves. The 27th of July has a brief, clean 5-foot ENE swell with a short 6-second period, which is surfable but very ordinary.
The best bet is Sunday afternoon, July 19th – clean, chest-high waves with a nice S pulse and offshore winds. That’s the one to aim for. The big Monday swell is for the brave or the kite crew. The rest is a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Tue morning, min 16°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sun afternoon, min 16°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Mon 20 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | ESE 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
168 | 875 | 942 | 986 | 730 | 755 | 723 | 551 | 458 | 327 | 273 | 225 | 177 | 631 | 471 | 432 | 635 | 628 | 1881 | 3572 | 4921 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross | cross | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 3:30AM1.78m | 3:57PM1.79m | 4:13AM1.83m | 4:40PM1.87m | 4:53AM1.83m | 5:20PM1.90m | 5:31AM1.80m | 5:59PM1.87m | 6:07AM1.72m | 6:37PM1.80m | 6:43AM1.62m | 7:13PM1.68m | 7:19AM1.49m | 7:51PM1.55m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:16PM0.21m | 9:42AM0.11m | 10:02PM0.14m | 10:23AM0.03m | 10:45PM0.11m | 11:02AM0.01m | 11:26PM0.14m | 11:39AM0.03m | 00:05AM0.20m | 12:15PM0.10m | 00:43AM0.30m | 12:50PM0.21m | 1:20AM0.41m | 1:27PM0.34m | |||||||
— | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | |
5:12 | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 24 | 25 | 21 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 18 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 15 | 17 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | ESE 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | ENE 9 | E 10 | E 9 |
148 | 875 | 942 | 986 | 730 | 755 | 723 | 551 | 458 | 327 | 273 | 225 | 177 | 631 | 471 | 432 | 635 | 628 | 82 | 29 | 15 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | — | — |
168 | 53 | 52 | 19 | 18 | 8 | 17 | 14 | 35 | 156 | 66 | 15 | 15 | 140 | 146 | 111 | 141 | 81 | 41 | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | — | S 10 | — | S 12 | SE 11 | SSE 10 | S 11 | SSE 9 | SSE 11 | S 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | S 15 | S 15 | SW 14 | — | — | — |
135 | — | 16 | — | 3 | 5 | 22 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 2 | 14 | 51 | 375 | 322 | 155 | 159 | 8 | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | S 3 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | — | NNE 3 | — | — | SSW 4 | — | NE 3 | NE 5 | NE 6 | ENE 9 | S 11 | S 10 | S 11 |
— | — | — | — | — | 6 | 13 | 18 | — | 2 | — | — | 4 | — | 2 | 35 | 58 | 110 | 1881 | 3572 | 4921 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 42 | 42 | 0 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 42 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 42 | 42 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 277 | 6 | 172 |
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.











