Surf Forecasts:
Thompsons Bay surf forecast from 4 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 10 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 12s period, SSW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 10 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 12s period, SSW swell with 8,245 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 4 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s period with ESE 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 (Aug 04) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 12s. Another secondary swell of 0.7m and 4s is also forecast. 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 5.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 10) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore 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 (Aug 05) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Tue 4th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Mon 10th Aug) | 18ft (5.5m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Mon 10th Aug) | 18ft (5.5m) 12s |
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 on the cards for Thompsons Bay. We've got a bit of a mixed bag ahead, so let's get into it.
First up, the water temp is sitting at 71°, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing to worry about on that front.
The next couple of weeks are looking pretty grim for quality surf. For the first week and a half, from Tuesday the 4th through to Monday the 11th, the wind is just never playing ball. It's cross or cross-onshore almost every session, with moderate to fresh breezes creating lumpy, choppy conditions. The swell is around, but the poor wind means the surf is a write-off for paddle surfing. The energy is weak to moderate for most of that time.
The real story here is the massive pulse of swell that hits on Monday the 10th. By Monday afternoon, we're looking at a solid 18ft swell from the SSW with a period of 12 seconds, and the combined energy is a massive 8113. That's some serious power. Tuesday the 11th keeps it up with 15ft from the S and energy around 6725. But here's the catch – the wind is still howling out of the SSW at 22-25 mph, making it a messy cross-shore. This isn't a surfer's wave; it's a kite surfer's dream. The setup looks far more interesting for the kite crew than anyone on a paddle board for that whole window.
The best chance for a decent wave comes later, on Wednesday the 19th. The morning session is the standout. We get a glassy, 6ft swell from the NE. The period is a short 7 seconds, so it won't be the most powerful wave, but clean, glassy surf is a major positive. The combined energy is 650 (moderate). This is the only morning in the entire 16-day window where the wind is truly offshore and the conditions are clean. It's for intermediate surfers, and it's a fairly consistent spot. Keep in mind, crowds are possible here at times.
So, to sum it up: don't even think about the first week unless you're on a kite. Hold out for Wednesday morning the 19th. That's your one clean shot at a fun, glassy session.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Thu morning, min 16°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 22°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri night, near gales from the SSW by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SSW 16 | NE 6 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | SSW 7 | SSW 10 | SSW 12 | S 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 520 | 455 | 192 | 197 | 184 | 154 | 120 | 164 | 94 | 109 | 109 | 110 | 85 | 206 | 255 | 260 | 321 | 904 | 3848 | 8062 | 7325 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 7:07PM1.69m | 7:18AM1.49m | 7:49PM1.56m | 8:05AM1.35m | 8:49PM1.41m | 9:22AM1.20m | 10:32PM1.30m | 11:42AM1.17m | 00:36AM1.35m | 1:26PM1.32m | 1:52AM1.49m | 2:25PM1.53m | 2:43AM1.65m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:48PM0.22m | 1:19AM0.37m | 1:26PM0.34m | 2:06AM0.50m | 2:17PM0.49m | 3:16AM0.63m | 3:39PM0.64m | 5:15AM0.68m | 5:52PM0.66m | 7:06AM0.57m | 7:31PM0.52m | 8:10AM0.39m | 8:30PM0.35m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | |  | | | |  | | | | |  |  |  |  | |
 | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — |
 | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 7 | 4 | 1 |
Temp °C | 20 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 27 | 23 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
Feels °C | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 23 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 20 | 18 | 13 | 3 | 4 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | ENE 7 | SSW 13 | SSW 17 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 |
| kJ | 520 | 455 | 192 | 197 | 184 | 154 | 120 | 121 | 83 | 109 | 109 | 110 | 85 | 92 | 144 | 70 | 58 | 166 | 45 | 51 | 49 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | E 11 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | S 6 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | E 10 | S 7 | SSW 12 | NE 8 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 17 | 16 | 83 | 23 | 18 | 47 | 35 | 164 | 94 | 26 | 98 | 83 | 45 | 206 | 66 | 1 | 30 | 104 | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | — | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | SSW 14 | S 6 | S 5 | ENE 5 | SSW 11 | SSW 15 | S 7 | S 6 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 2 | — | 14 | 5 | 5 | 34 | 119 | 15 | 9 | 105 | 10 | 2 | 10 | 40 | 121 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ENE 3 | ENE 5 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | SSW 4 | S 6 | — | — | NE 4 | NE 5 | ENE 5 | NE 6 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | SSW 7 | SSW 10 | SSW 12 | S 13 |
| kJ | — | 7 | 20 | 54 | 46 | 126 | 66 | 34 | 40 | — | — | 10 | 25 | 28 | 255 | 260 | 321 | 904 | 3848 | 8062 | 7325 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 42 | 42 | 0 | 42 | 42 | 0 | 42 | 722 | 6 | 42 | 42 | 0 | 42 | 462 | 0 | 116 | 172 | 1002 | 897 | 368 | 87 |
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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