Surf Forecasts:
Thompsons Bay surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, NE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, S swell with 3,074 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period with NE 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 30) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 2.3m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 12s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Thompsons Bay in the next 16 days are 4.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thompsons Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a hard look at what’s on the table for the next couple of weeks. We’ve got a long stretch of nothing special, so keep your expectations in check.
The overall pattern is pretty grim. Thompsons Bay is a sheltered spot, and for the next week and a half, the wind and swell just aren’t playing ball. There’s a lot of cross-shore and cross-onshore wind, and the swell energy is mostly weak to moderate. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing strange going on there.
We’re looking at a massive gap of poor surf for the first eight days. From Sunday the 30th of August right through to the middle of the following week, it’s a write-off. The wind is all over the place, and the swell is mostly short-period, messy stuff. You’ll see a few windows where the height bumps up, like on Friday the 4th of September morning with a solid 13ft swell from the south, but it’s cross-shore wind and the combined energy is strong at 3114, making it a big, bumpy mess. Not for beginners, and honestly, not even great for experts with that wind. That afternoon gets even worse with rain and choppy conditions.
The only real glimmer of hope comes right at the tail end of the forecast. On Friday the 11th of September afternoon, we finally get a bit of a setup. The swell is 8ft from the east-northeast at 8 seconds, and the wind is light and onshore. The combined energy is a solid 1099, so there’s some push. This is a marginal call, but it’s the closest we get to something surfable. The light onshore wind will keep the surface a bit bumpy, but the size is there.
Then on Saturday the 12th of September afternoon, things get a bit more interesting. A 10ft swell from the south-southwest, period 8 seconds, with a cross-shore breeze. That’s a moderate energy of 1293, and the cross-shore wind is better than onshore. This is the best option on the board. It’s a moderate cross-shore with some chop, but for a sheltered spot, that’s a decent trade-off. The size is big, so this is for intermediate to expert surfers only.
And Sunday the 13th of September morning has a similar feel with an 8ft south swell and 9-second period, combined energy of 1257, but the wind is cross-shore again. It’s more of the same, but if you missed Saturday, this is your backup.
Honestly, if you’re really keen, the Friday afternoon is the most realistic, but Saturday the 12th is the standout. No gems here, just a couple of windows that aren’t total garbage.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 25°C on Tue afternoon, min 18°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NE on Sat night, calm by Sun night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Warm (max 30°C on Thu afternoon, min 18°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, near gales from the SSW by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NE 8 | SSW 7 | S 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | SSW 6 | S 7 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | ENE 8 | S 8 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
1245 | 403 | 408 | 207 | 202 | 260 | 235 | 188 | 121 | 186 | 263 | 206 | 441 | 160 | 270 | 1330 | 3074 | 2248 | 1084 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 4:44AM1.88m | 5:03PM1.99m | 5:12AM1.86m | 5:31PM1.95m | 5:41AM1.79m | 6:01PM1.86m | 6:12AM1.67m | 6:34PM1.71m | 6:46AM1.52m | 7:13PM1.53m | 7:30AM1.33m | 8:09PM1.32m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:41PM0.04m | 10:48AM-0.04m | 11:09PM0.04m | 11:16AM-0.01m | 11:39PM0.09m | 11:46AM0.06m | 00:10AM0.18m | 12:18PM0.18m | 00:45AM0.33m | 12:54PM0.35m | 1:28AM0.50m | 1:43PM0.55m | 2:38AM0.68m | ||||||
— | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | |
5:37 | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:40 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Temp °C | 22 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 28 | 30 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 16 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 25 | 27 | 13 | 17 | 18 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 7 | ENE 9 | E 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | SSE 9 |
739 | 352 | 273 | 207 | 202 | 260 | 235 | 188 | 55 | 186 | 123 | 55 | 441 | 160 | 270 | 47 | 31 | 31 | 1084 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 14 | S 6 | SE 5 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | SSW 7 | S 7 | SSW 14 | NE 6 | S 17 | S 6 | E 9 | — | E 10 | NE 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 |
101 | 42 | 18 | 97 | 29 | 45 | 22 | 5 | 4 | 36 | 33 | 140 | 36 | 40 | — | 48 | 9 | 51 | 70 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 10 | SE 15 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSW 6 | SSE 11 | SE 10 | S 10 | S 15 | S 7 | — | SSW 13 | E 8 | SSW 6 | — | — | — | NE 7 | E 10 |
4 | 8 | 17 | 28 | 31 | 11 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 | — | 69 | 52 | 12 | — | — | — | 9 | 33 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 8 | SSW 7 | S 8 | — | — | SSE 5 | — | NE 4 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | SSW 6 | S 7 | — | ENE 5 | SSW 5 | S 8 | S 10 | SSE 10 | — |
1245 | 403 | 408 | — | — | 17 | — | 11 | 121 | 167 | 263 | 206 | — | 37 | 160 | 1330 | 3074 | 2248 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 314 | 443 | 0 | 42 | 87 | 0 | 42 | 0 | 39 | 118 | 118 | 0 | 277 | 25 | 93 | 93 | 2584 | 19 |
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.











