
Surf Forecasts:
Thompsons Bay surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 18s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 16s period, S swell with 1,078 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 12s 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 Monday (Jul 20) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m 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 1.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thompsons Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. Rusty here.
First up, Thompsons Bay. Honestly, it’s a pretty grim start to the outlook. The first decent surf we see isn’t until the 31st of July, which is a solid ten-day gap from the start of the period with nothing to get excited about. Most of the earlier days are plagued by onshore winds, choppy conditions, and marginal to poor surf quality. The swell energy is there at times—like on the 20th of July, we’ve got 6ft of SE swell with a solid 12-second period and a combined energy of 1140, which is a strong, punchy setup—but the wind is cross-on and the wave comment is marginal. It’s just not coming together. The water temperature is 73°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least it’s not cold.
The first real standout window starts on the 31st of July. Friday afternoon at Thompsons Bay turns glassy—zero wind, dead calm—with a 5ft easterly swell. The period is a short 8 seconds, so it’s more of a windswell, but with glassy conditions, it’ll be clean and fun for an intermediate. The combined energy is only 401, so it’s weak, but the lack of wind makes it rideable. That’s the best we get for a while.
Then, on the 4th of August, Tuesday morning, it gets interesting. We’ve got 8ft of SE groundswell with a 12-second period—that’s proper long-period energy, meaning well-shaped waves and longer lulls between sets. The wind is glassy, dead calm, and the wave comment is “expect very good surf conditions.” Combined energy is 1773, which is strong and powerful. This is the standout. But at 8ft, it’s big—this is for experienced surfers only. It’s a sheltered SE exposure, so the swell direction matches the optimum, and the break is fairly consistent. Crowds are possible here, so get out early.
The day before, on the 3rd of August, Monday morning, also looks promising with 10ft of SSE swell, a 12-second period, and a cross-offshore wind. The combined energy is 2911—very strong—but it’s a bit more raw. Still, clean conditions with that offshore wind make it a solid backup option for experts.
So, to wrap it up: the first two weeks are mostly a write-off for Thompsons Bay. The best surf on offer is the 4th of August, Tuesday morning, with 8ft of SE groundswell and glassy conditions. That’s the one to circle on the calendar. There’s nothing else worth paddling out for until then.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Wed afternoon, min 16°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 21°C on Thu afternoon, min 15°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Fri morning, calm by Fri night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | NE 7 | SE 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 6 | S 8 | S 8 | SSW 16 | S 15 | S 14 | S 15 | S 14 | SSW 13 | NE 7 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
1082 | 624 | 546 | 546 | 442 | 403 | 319 | 275 | 167 | 192 | 272 | 692 | 493 | 844 | 881 | 590 | 524 | 423 | 236 | 138 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:51PM1.55m | 7:58AM1.35m | 8:34PM1.40m | 8:48AM1.22m | 9:34PM1.27m | 10:13AM1.12m | 11:13PM1.20m | 12:20PM1.12m | 00:56AM1.24m | 1:42PM1.22m | 1:58AM1.34m | 2:30PM1.34m | 2:40AM1.46m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:01AM0.53m | 2:06PM0.49m | 2:49AM0.64m | 2:57PM0.64m | 4:01AM0.73m | 4:20PM0.74m | 5:53AM0.74m | 6:20PM0.75m | 7:24AM0.66m | 7:40PM0.66m | 8:16AM0.54m | 8:28PM0.54m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | |
5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:19 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 24 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 23 | 18 |
Feels °C | 17 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 17 | 17 | 20 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | S 8 | S 15 | S 14 | S 15 | S 14 | SSW 13 | E 8 |
1082 | 624 | 546 | 546 | 442 | 403 | 319 | 163 | 70 | 164 | 106 | 77 | 58 | 245 | 881 | 590 | 524 | 423 | 236 | 115 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SSW 14 | NE 7 | NE 7 | S 20 | SSW 16 | S 20 | S 19 | SE 10 | SSE 12 | SE 11 | SSW 13 |
28 | 110 | 115 | 91 | 193 | 305 | 261 | 236 | 167 | 192 | 13 | 2 | 196 | 844 | 194 | 251 | 15 | 93 | 117 | 133 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | E 9 | E 9 | SW 12 | E 9 | E 9 | — | SSW 13 | SSW 15 | ENE 7 | E 9 | E 10 | SSW 15 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | E 9 | E 8 | — | SSE 10 |
30 | 15 | 15 | 34 | 14 | 6 | — | 99 | 71 | 42 | 6 | 2 | 21 | 41 | 16 | 15 | 6 | 12 | — | 67 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | ENE 3 | NE 4 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | NE 7 | SSW 4 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | S 8 | S 8 | — | — | ENE 3 | NE 4 | NE 5 | ENE 6 | NE 7 |
— | — | — | 4 | 18 | 17 | 110 | 275 | 35 | 42 | 272 | 692 | 493 | — | — | 8 | 17 | 19 | 184 | 138 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 39 | 0 | 42 | 42 | 0 | 42 | 447 | 0 | 117 | 118 | 90 | 261 | 931 | 0 | 42 | 42 | 0 | 514 | 721 | 258 |
Best forecast wave conditions in KwaZulu-Natal North 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 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.










