Surf Forecasts:
Thompsons Bay surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, S swell with 4,501 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 10s 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 23) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 9s. 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 3.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thompsons Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, and I’ve given the scoop on Thompsons Bay a good look. It’s a rough 16-day outlook, I’m not gonna sugarcoat it. The pattern is all wind and slop, with very few moments that are worth hauling your gear down for.
Right from Sunday, August 23rd, it’s a dead loss. We got a solid 10-foot south swell, but the wind is a fresh cross-onshore and it’s just lumpy. The energy is strong, but it means nothing. That’s the story for the first week – plenty of size, but the wind is ruining it.
There’s a big dry spell of no real surf until Wednesday, August 26th. On Wednesday morning, we get a 4-foot south swell, but it’s still cross-onshore and choppy. The afternoon is the only real bright spot. The wind goes to a light onshore from the SSE, and that 6-7 foot south swell cleans up nicely with a very long 17-second period. The energy is pumping, and that kind of period means proper groundswell. For an intermediate, this could be worth a paddle, but that long period will make it suck out and wall up, so be ready. That is the best on offer for the whole look.
After that, it’s back to the bin. Thursday the 27th through the end of August we get hammered by strong cross-shore winds, turning everything to mush. By Saturday the 29th we’re seeing 10-foot waves from the east-northeast with a short, fat 8-second period and a strong breeze. That’s more of a kite surfing scene than a paddle board wave.
We skip into September. There’s a tiny window on the morning of Wednesday, September 2nd. The swell is a modest 5 feet from the east-northeast with a short period, but the wind goes clean and cross-off. That’s the only time I see the word "clean" in the whole forecast, so it’s notable, but the swell is weak and inconsistent.
The rest of the first week of September is back to cross-onshore chop and poor conditions. Sunday the 6th and Monday the 7th have some size and energy, but the wind is a strong cross-shore, making it a total mess.
So, if you’re waiting for the one, it’s Wednesday afternoon, August 26th. That has the best combo of size, quality, and clean conditions by a long shot. Everything else is a major battle. The water temp is about average for this time of year.
This is Rusty, signing off. Keep your eyes peeled.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sat night, min 16°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Sat night, calm by Mon morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Wed morning. Warm (max 24°C on Fri afternoon, min 17°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the E on Wed night, strong winds from the ENE by Thu afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | ||||||||||||||
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 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | S 17 | S 17 | S 17 | S 17 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 2409 | 1650 | 771 | 424 | 202 | 90 | 91 | 337 | 481 | 576 | 1015 | 2371 | 4501 | 1686 | 1006 | 630 | 510 | 953 | 587 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 00:56AM1.14m | 1:46PM1.18m | 1:54AM1.29m | 2:23PM1.35m | 2:28AM1.45m | 2:51PM1.52m | 2:57AM1.60m | 3:18PM1.67m | 3:24AM1.72m | 3:43PM1.81m | 3:50AM1.81m | 4:09PM1.91m | 4:17AM1.87m | ||||||
Low Tide | 7:29AM0.73m | 7:45PM0.71m | 8:10AM0.56m | 8:22PM0.55m | 8:39AM0.40m | 8:52PM0.40m | 9:05AM0.25m | 9:19PM0.27m | 9:31AM0.13m | 9:46PM0.16m | 9:56AM0.03m | 10:13PM0.08m | |||||||
 |  | | | | | | | |  |  |  | |  | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — |
 | 5:34 | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 23 | 24 | 20 |
Feels °C | 13 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 17 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 7 | E 9 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | S 17 | S 17 | S 17 | S 17 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 |
| kJ | 16 | 6 | 771 | 424 | 202 | 90 | 90 | 337 | 481 | 576 | 1015 | 2371 | 4501 | 1686 | 1006 | 630 | 510 | 353 | 285 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | — | E 9 | E 9 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 16 | SSE 11 | SSE 9 | SSW 13 | E 9 | E 9 | — | — | — | S 16 | — | — | S 15 |
| kJ | 13 | — | 6 | 6 | 133 | 77 | 91 | 13 | 44 | 225 | 6 | 6 | — | — | — | 190 | — | — | 115 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 4 | ENE 4 | E 8 | SE 9 | SE 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 14 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 6 | 14 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | S 10 | — | — | NNE 2 | ENE 4 | NE 4 | S 8 | S 4 | — | — | — | E 4 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
| kJ | 2409 | 1650 | — | — | 1 | 7 | 14 | 74 | 12 | — | — | — | 28 | 143 | 398 | 415 | 452 | 953 | 587 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 626 | 368 | 324 | 0 | 42 | 42 | 0 | 277 | 117 | 7 | 6 | 42 | 25 | 897 | 891 | 462 | 514 | 738 | 314 |
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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