Surf Forecasts:
Thompsons Bay surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 26 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 17s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 17s period, S swell with 3,691 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 9s 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 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Thompsons Bay in the next 16 days are 2.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 2s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thompsons Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Thompsons Bay. I’ve got to be straight with you—this is a tough stretch. The whole 16-day window is looking pretty grim, with no good surf on offer. The pattern is a long run of poor conditions, with a few days that are just barely marginal, but nothing you’d want to paddle out for.
The first week is a write-off. From Saturday the 22nd right through to the end of the month, every session is a no-go. The swell is there, but the wind is the villain. We’ve got fresh to strong cross-shore breezes, sometimes turning onshore, and the wave comment is stuck on “poor surf conditions” day after day. The water temp is about 71°, which is normal for the time of year, but that’s about the only thing that’s not a problem.
The only glimmer, and I mean a faint one, comes on Wednesday the 26th. The swell builds to 5ft on the morning, then 7ft in the afternoon, both from the S with a very long period of 17 seconds. The combined energy is strong (1465 in the morning, 2864 in the afternoon). But the wind is light and cross-onshore, so the surface is small and rippled. It’s marked as “marginal,” not a winner. That long period groundswell wants a point or reef to work its magic, but here at a sheltered bay with a cross wind, it’s just messy.
After that, we go back into the bin. The wind picks up again, and the swell gets chopped up. There’s a brief moment on Thursday the 3rd of September with a 8ft swell from the ENE, period of 8 seconds, and a very light easterly wind that could be offshore. But it’s still “marginal” at best, and the short period makes it weak and disorganized. Not worth the drive.
The second week has a couple more marginal calls, like the 5th of September with 7ft from the S at 11 seconds and light cross-onshore winds (energy 1481), but again, the wind is not clean, and the forecast is less certain. Honestly, nothing here is a standout. This is a blank run for Thompsons Bay, and it’s just one of those stretches where the conditions don’t line up. Forecasts can change, but as it stands, keep your board in the car and wait for a better day.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 33°C on Sat afternoon, min 16°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Sat night, calm by Sun night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Thu morning, min 17°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, strong winds from the NE by Thu afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | S 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | S 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | S 17 | S 17 | S 17 | S 17 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 239 | 565 | 2159 | 1330 | 740 | 426 | 162 | 106 | 146 | 263 | 397 | 734 | 1422 | 2864 | 3691 | 1809 | 1155 | 640 | 551 | 1196 | 785 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:05PM1.03m | 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 | 6:12PM0.85m | 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 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 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 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 33 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 23 | 25 | 20 |
Feels °C | 25 | 30 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 13 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | E 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | S 17 | S 17 | S 17 | S 17 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 |
| kJ | 239 | 77 | 16 | 6 | 740 | 426 | 162 | 106 | 82 | 263 | 397 | 734 | 1422 | 2864 | 3691 | 1809 | 1155 | 640 | 551 | 470 | 356 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | SSW 15 | E 8 | — | E 9 | E 9 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | ENE 5 | S 9 | E 8 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | — | — | — | S 18 | S 16 | S 16 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 |
| kJ | 11 | 375 | 13 | — | 6 | 6 | 123 | 83 | 12 | 74 | 6 | 116 | 37 | — | — | — | 227 | 521 | 254 | 87 | 77 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 9 | E 9 | S 17 | SSE 11 | NE 4 | SSE 7 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 6 | 146 | 13 | 1 | 16 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 5 | SSW 14 | SSW 10 | S 10 | — | — | NE 2 | ENE 4 | — | S 4 | S 9 | — | — | — | — | NE 4 | E 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
| kJ | 37 | 565 | 2159 | 1330 | — | — | 1 | 11 | — | 9 | 78 | — | — | — | — | 21 | 175 | 297 | 490 | 1196 | 785 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 42 | 19 | 626 | 277 | 93 | 0 | 42 | 42 | 0 | 118 | 39 | 0 | 39 | 42 | 0 | 897 | 891 | 314 | 592 | 732 | 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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