Thompsons Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 29.53° S 31.22° E

Thompsons Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 25 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Thompsons Bay sea temperature is
21.3°C
0.1° 

Thompsons Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Thompsons Bay surf forecast from 25 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 26 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 17s period, S swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 17s period, S swell with 4,037 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 26 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 17s 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 Wednesday (Aug 26) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 17s period. 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 Wednesday (Aug 26) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Wed 26th Aug)8ft (2.5m) 17s
Best Surf 8PM (Wed 26th Aug)8ft (2.5m) 17s
Most Powerful 8PM (Wed 26th 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 break it down for Thompsons Bay over the next 16 days. Truth is, it’s a tough stretch – almost nothing worth getting wet for. The wind is a constant problem, and the swell is either too short, blown out, or just plain wrong. There’s a big gap of poor conditions, but we do have one tiny window of hope right at the end.

The first week is a washout starting Tuesday, August 25th. Swell is there, but the wind is either cross-on or cross-shore, mostly moderate to strong, and the waves are called “poor” all the way through. We get a big southern groundswell on Wednesday afternoon with 7ft at 18 seconds, but the onshore breeze keeps it marginal – the energy is high (2715). Still, it’s a no-go. From Thursday through Saturday, the wind cranks from the northeast, hitting 31 mph, with 8ft to 10ft of short-period windswell (8 seconds). That’s lumpy, messy cross-chop – only for kite surfers if anyone’s game. The energy is strong (1738 to 1588), but it’s all garbage.

Then we get a whole week of light cross-on winds from the south and east, with small swell (2ft to 5ft) and poor conditions. Water temp is 70°F, which is average for the time of year. The energy stays weak to moderate (238 to 526). It’s a long, boring stretch.

The only real standout is a brief moment on Thursday, September 3rd. That afternoon, the wind goes glassy – a light easterly at 3 mph, described as “glass” – and we get 8ft of swell from the SSW. The period is short at 6 seconds, so it’s a windswell, but the glassy conditions make it clean. The report says “expect good surf conditions.” For a split second, this is the best on offer. The combined energy is moderate (566). The break is sheltered and faces southeast, so this SSW swell might not be a perfect fit, but with zero wind, it’s the only chance. This spot is fairly consistent, but it’s been a rough run.

After that, it’s back to the nightmare. Friday the 4th and Saturday the 5th bring massive 16ft to 20ft swell from the south, with cross-on winds at 28-31 mph – totally blown out, dangerous for experts only. The energy is huge (5839 to 7783), but it’s a no-go for paddling. The rest of the run into the second week is similar: cross-shore winds, messy chop, and poor surf.

So, to wrap it up: the only real chance is a clean, glassy window on Thursday afternoon, September 3rd. It’s short-period but 8ft and clean. Other than that, it’s a long wait. The area tends to have these blank runs, so it’s not unusual. Forecasts can change, but for now, keep your gear dry.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Fri morning, min 17°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, strong winds from the NE by Thu afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 26°C on Fri afternoon, min 17°C on Fri night). Mainly strong winds.

Tue
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
0
3
4
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SSW
15
1.1
SSW
16
1.1
S
18
2.1
S
18
2.5
S
16
1.9
S
14
1.5
S
13
1.4
S
13
2
ENE
8
2.5
ENE
8
2.5
ENE
8
2.3
ENE
8
3
ENE
8
2.4
ENE
9
1.7
ENE
9
1.4
ENE
9
1
E
9
1
E
9
1.1
E
10
1.1
E
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
387
669
758
2715
3287
1363
806
673
441
881
765
700
1401
867
436
300
165
164
225
217
Wind (km/h)
25
SSW
10
SW
15
S
10
SE
5
NNW
35
NE
50
NE
30
NNE
30
NE
35
NE
25
NNE
30
NE
45
NE
15
NNE
35
SSW
35
SSW
15
SW
15
S
15
E
20
NNE
Wind State
cross-on
cross
cross-on
on
off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
2:51PM1.52m
2:57AM1.60m
3:18PM1.67m
3:24AM1.72m
3:43PM1.81m
3:50AM1.81m
4:09PM1.91m
4:17AM1.87m
4:35PM1.97m
4:44AM1.88m
5:03PM1.99m
5:12AM1.86m
5:31PM1.95m
Low Tide
8:52PM0.40m
9:05AM0.25m
9:19PM0.27m
9:31AM0.13m
9:46PM0.16m
9:56AM0.03m
10:13PM0.08m
10:22AM-0.03m
10:41PM0.04m
10:48AM-0.04m
11:09PM0.04m
11:16AM-0.01m
11:39PM0.09m
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:16
6:16
6:15
6:13
6:13
6:11
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:36
5:36
5:37
5:37
5:37
5:38
5:38
 mm
2
1
1
Temp °C
20
19
20
20
20
22
21
19
24
26
20
24
26
23
22
21
19
20
20
20
Feels °C
16
18
18
18
21
17
14
13
20
20
15
19
19
17
17
16
16
20
19
20
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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