
Surf Forecasts:
Thompsons Bay surf forecast from 8 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 12 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 9s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 10 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, S swell with 2,252 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 8 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 9s period with E 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 Saturday (Aug 08) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 12s. 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 3.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 10) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 08) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Sat 8th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Wed 12th Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Mon 10th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thompsons Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s talk about the surf ahead for Thompsons Bay.
First thing you need to know: the water temp is about average for the time of year, so nothing weird going on there. The outlook is a long grind, and honestly, this is a stretch of predominantly poor conditions, with a very short window of hope. The first two weeks are mostly a write-off due to messy winds and average-sized, lumpy swells. There’s a big gap of about 4 days from the start with no decent surf recommendations, and then we’ve got a couple of standouts right in the middle.
It kicks off with a really small, long-period swell on Saturday 8 August morning, 1 ft from the SSW with a period of 17 seconds, but a moderate cross-breeze (12 mph) from the NE has it choppy. That’s a no-go. The afternoon sees a jump to 6 ft from the ENE, but the period plummets to 6 seconds and the wind gets fresh cross-shore at 19 mph – messy. Sunday 9 August is similar: 3 ft from the ENE on Sunday morning with a gentle cross-onshore breeze, and the afternoon brings 2 ft from the SSW, but still lumpy. Monday 10 August is a real beast – 12 ft from the S with a period of 9 seconds, but the wind is strong cross-onshore at 28 mph, making it a total mess. The combined wave energy is huge (2298), but it’s not for paddling; this setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. Tuesday 11 August stays big (8 ft, SSE) with strong cross-shore wind, and Wednesday 12 August is similar (10 ft, SE) with moderate cross-onshore wind. All poor.
Now, the standout. On Thursday 13 August, the wind finally drops. Morning brings a clean 6 ft swell from the ESE (9-second period) with a light cross-offshore breeze from the WSW at just 3 mph. The combined wave energy is moderate (698). Then the afternoon gets even better: glassy conditions, 5 ft from the ESE (8-second period), with a light WNW breeze. This is the best on offer – clean, glassy surf, and the crowd profile says it’s *sometimes* busy, so expect company. It’s a sheltered spot, so the ESE swell is working well for the break. That’s the one to aim for.
After that, it’s back to poor. Friday 14 August and Saturday 15 August are cross-choppy with NE winds. Sunday 16 August gets fresh cross-onshore winds and lumpy 6 ft swell. The whole second week is a repeat of average-sized swell (5 ft to 7 ft) with persistent cross-shore winds from the NE, and a few onshore days. The combined energy stays moderate (between 250 and 505). A bit of marginal surf on Monday 17 August morning (3 ft, E, 11-second period) but the light cross-onshore breeze ruins it. Saturday 22 August afternoon sees a big jump to 10 ft from the S, but again, poor conditions due to cross-onshore wind. The final day, Sunday 23 August, has a 8 ft swell from the S, but it’s cross-choppy.
Bottom line: if you can get out on Thursday 13 August, you’ll cop some clean, glassy waves. The rest of the 16-day window is a battle with the wind. Expect a lot of days with no real recommendation.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Mon morning. Warm (max 28°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Mon morning). Winds increasing (calm on Fri night, near gales from the SW by Sun night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 32mm), heaviest during Wed morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon night, min 14°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Tue morning, calm by Thu afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | ||||||||||||||
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) | E 9 | E 10 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 7 | SSW 15 | SSW 8 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
83 | 116 | 188 | 280 | 111 | 133 | 960 | 2252 | 1730 | 899 | 763 | 468 | 760 | 1389 | 1168 | 743 | 512 | 339 | 237 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | glassy | off |
High Tide | 10:32PM1.30m | 11:42AM1.17m | 00:36AM1.35m | 1:26PM1.32m | 1:52AM1.49m | 2:25PM1.53m | 2:43AM1.65m | 3:10PM1.72m | 3:24AM1.77m | 3:49PM1.88m | 4:01AM1.86m | 4:25PM1.97m | 4:35AM1.89m | ||||||
Low Tide | 5:15AM0.68m | 5:52PM0.66m | 7:06AM0.57m | 7:31PM0.52m | 8:10AM0.39m | 8:30PM0.35m | 8:55AM0.22m | 9:16PM0.20m | 9:33AM0.07m | 9:55PM0.10m | 10:08AM-0.03m | 10:31PM0.05m | |||||||
— | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | |
5:25 | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:29 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 5 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 25 | 28 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 21 | 21 | 22 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 14 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 10 | SSW 16 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | S 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 |
83 | 87 | 140 | 168 | 111 | 115 | 60 | 46 | 43 | 68 | 118 | 211 | 307 | 1389 | 1168 | 743 | 512 | 339 | 237 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 17 | SSW 11 | E 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | NE 7 | — | — | S 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | E 11 |
83 | 116 | 24 | 65 | 78 | 133 | 16 | — | — | 15 | 72 | 366 | 170 | 123 | 81 | 116 | 112 | 74 | 112 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 4 | SSW 11 | — | SSW 14 | SSW 18 | E 9 | — | — | — | S 16 | SSW 15 | — | E 10 | S 26 | S 24 | SSW 22 | SSW 19 | E 11 | S 10 |
5 | 41 | — | 116 | 60 | 87 | — | — | — | 5 | 246 | — | 121 | 13 | 11 | 46 | 74 | 37 | 71 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NE 4 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | SSW 3 | S 4 | SSW 8 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 14 | 188 | 280 | 6 | 40 | 960 | 2252 | 1730 | 899 | 763 | 468 | 760 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 42 | 258 | 0 | 39 | 117 | 776 | 958 | 368 | 258 | 922 | 368 | 941 | 93 | 39 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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.











