Surf Forecasts:
Thompsons Bay surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 26 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 18s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 17s period, S swell with 3,425 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 10s 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 9s. 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 2.4m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 17s |
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 table for Thompsons Bay.
Straight up, this is a tough stretch. We’ve got a solid 16-day window, but honestly, it’s a bit of a desert for quality waves. For the first week and a half, the conditions are just not cooperating. From Sunday the 23rd of August right through to the end of the month, it’s a grim run of poor surf quality. You’ll see wind coming from the wrong directions—mostly cross or cross-on—and the surf just looks messy, choppy, and hard to enjoy. The only real size comes later, but the wind is going to ruin it.
The first standout, if you can call it that, comes on Wednesday afternoon the 26th of August. The swell is pushing 5 ft from the S with a solid 17-second period (combined energy of 1553 – strong stuff), but it’s a cross-on wind from the SSW. The report says it’s marginal at best. For a sheltered spot like Thompsons Bay, which needs SE swell to really light up, this S groundswell is hitting at an awkward angle. The water temp is about average for the time of year at 70°, so nothing unusual there.
From the 27th of August through the 30th, the swell gets big—up to 12 ft—but it’s all short-period ENE windswell with strong cross-shore winds. That’s going to be a washing machine, not surfable for anyone but maybe a kiter. The combined energy values are massive (up to 1653), but the quality is zero.
The next date to pencil in is Thursday morning the 3rd of September. We finally get some offshore wind—strong offshore from the NNW at 25 mph. The swell is 5 ft from the ENE with a 10-second period (combined energy 508). The report says it’s clean but hard to paddle into. That’s a classic caveat: strong offshore makes the face perfect, but you’ll be battling to get out back. This is the most promising window for an experienced surfer.
After that, it fades back into mediocrity. Saturday the 5th of September has small, weak 3 ft E swell with a 10-second period and light onshore wind. Not exciting.
The absolute best of the bunch—the one true standout—is Sunday morning the 6th of September. We get a 6 ft SSW groundswell with a very long 17-second period (combined energy of 2177, the highest of the whole period). The wind is a gentle cross-on from the SSE, so it won’t be glassy, but it’s manageable. This is a deep, powerful swell. For a sheltered spot like Thompsons Bay, a long-period SSW groundswell can produce some really nice lines, though it might break a bit straight on the beach setup. Still, this is your best bet for some serious, cleanish waves with real punch.
In short: don’t waste your petrol for the first week. Mark Thursday the 3rd of September for a windy but clean session if you’re an expert, and definitely plan for Sunday the 6th of September for the biggest, most powerful swell of the window.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sun afternoon, min 16°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 26°C on Fri morning, min 17°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, strong winds from the NE by Thu afternoon). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | S 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | S 17 | S 17 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
771 | 432 | 165 | 106 | 146 | 421 | 304 | 677 | 308 | 1543 | 3418 | 1403 | 794 | 653 | 590 | 870 | 741 | 723 | 1287 | 996 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:54AM1.29m | 2:23PM1.35m | 2:28AM1.45m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 7:45PM0.71m | 8:10AM0.56m | 8:22PM0.55m | 8:39AM0.40m | 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 | |||||||
— | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | |
5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 26 | 26 | 22 | 25 | 27 | 20 |
Feels °C | 16 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | S 17 | S 17 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 |
771 | 432 | 165 | 106 | 90 | 421 | 297 | 677 | 308 | 1543 | 3418 | 1403 | 794 | 653 | 374 | 353 | 287 | 290 | 180 | 65 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | ENE 4 | SSE 8 | S 18 | SE 9 | S 17 | E 8 | SE 12 | — | S 17 | S 16 | S 16 | S 16 | S 15 | SW 11 | — | SW 10 |
6 | 6 | 133 | 82 | 12 | 48 | 304 | 13 | 297 | 6 | 6 | — | 278 | 132 | 125 | 129 | 119 | 31 | — | 4 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | S 17 | NE 5 | SSE 9 | ENE 5 | SE 10 | SE 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 14 | 6 | 6 | 146 | 6 | 62 | 2 | 15 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | E 4 | NE 5 | — | — | SSW 4 | — | — | — | ENE 5 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
— | — | — | 6 | 21 | — | — | 13 | — | — | — | 102 | 446 | 640 | 590 | 870 | 741 | 723 | 1287 | 996 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 39 | 0 | 42 | 42 | 0 | 39 | 39 | 40 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 732 | 732 | 261 | 592 | 514 | 258 | 462 | 721 | 314 |
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.











