
Surf Forecasts:
Thompsons Bay surf forecast from 5 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 10 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 14s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 10 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 15s period, S swell with 2,117 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 6 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 11s period with SE 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 Monday (Jul 06) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 5s. 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 2.2m 15s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 10) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Monday (Jul 06) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Mon 6th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Fri 10th Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Fri 10th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thompsons Bay over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
G'day, I'm Rusty. Let's have a look at what's on offer for Thompsons Bay over the next couple of weeks.
We've got a bit of a rough start here, mate. The first week is pretty much a write-off for anything decent. The conditions are getting knocked around by onshore and cross-shore winds, and the swell is messy. There's a stretch from Monday the 6th right through to the end of that first week where the surf just isn't worth paddling out for. You'll see poor surf conditions day after day, with the odd bit of energy but never lining up with the wind.
Now, the water temperature is sitting about average for this time of year, so you won't need the thickest steamer, but a spring suit will do fine.
After a week of frustration, we finally get a genuine highlight. Tuesday the 14th of July is your best bet. On Tuesday morning, the wind swings to the south at just 3 mph, going glassy. The swell is coming from the south at 3 ft with a 12-second period, pushing through solid moderate energy (479). It's a sheltered spot, so that southerly groundswell will wrap in clean as a whistle. The conditions will be smooth, with no wind chop. It's a fairly consistent break, though you might have a few others with the same idea as crowds are possible. For an intermediate surfer, this is the session to aim for.
There's another glimmer on Monday the 20th of July. Early morning looks glassy again with a westerly swell of 5 ft from the east-northeast. That shorter period (7 seconds) means it'll be a bit softer, but with glassy conditions, it'll be clean and fun. The combined energy is moderate (432), so it won't be pumping, but it'll be rideable and pleasant under a clear sky.
Towards the end of the window, on Tuesday the 21st, we get another glassy morning with a 6 ft swell from the northeast. Same short period means it's not a proper groundswell, but the wind is from the northeast at just 3 mph, making it glassy. The energy is moderate (731), and for a break that's usually cross-shore, this is a rare clean opportunity. Still, that shorter period means the waves might be a bit fat and less defined, but if you want a paddle without the wind in your face, it's a goer.
The rest of the second week is patchy. There's a big pulse of swell around Thursday the 16th of July, with a 13 ft south-southwest swell, but the wind is howling from the southwest at 19 mph, creating lumpy conditions. That's too big for beginners and only for experts, and frankly, with that wind, it's going to be a washing machine. Looks more interesting for kite surfing than a paddle session, to be honest.
So, to sum it up: keep your eyes on Tuesday the 14th and Monday the 20th. Everything else in between is a bit of a gamble or a total dud. The first week is a blank run, so don't get your hopes up early.
Stay stoked, Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Tue afternoon, min 16°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri night. Warm (max 21°C on Wed night, min 17°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sun 12 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | NE 6 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
273 | 180 | 127 | 188 | 159 | 93 | 96 | 41 | 41 | 84 | 126 | 722 | 754 | 1902 | 2061 | 1422 | 892 | 643 | 365 | 240 | 186 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-on | cross | off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | glassy | cross | cross | off | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 7:11AM1.51m | 7:46PM1.58m | 7:57AM1.42m | 8:37PM1.52m | 8:56AM1.32m | 9:44PM1.46m | 10:18AM1.25m | 11:09PM1.43m | 11:55AM1.27m | 00:36AM1.48m | 1:17PM1.37m | 1:46AM1.58m | 2:20PM1.52m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:11AM0.42m | 1:23PM0.33m | 1:58AM0.48m | 2:08PM0.41m | 2:56AM0.55m | 3:07PM0.50m | 4:12AM0.59m | 4:26PM0.56m | 5:42AM0.57m | 5:58PM0.54m | 7:03AM0.48m | 7:19PM0.45m | 8:06AM0.35m | ||||||||
— | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | |
5:07 | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:12 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
Feels °C | 19 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | SE 10 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | S 6 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 |
273 | 180 | 127 | 85 | 73 | 47 | 96 | 34 | 26 | 37 | 49 | 722 | 754 | 1902 | 2061 | 1422 | 892 | 643 | 365 | 240 | 186 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 5 | ENE 6 | ESE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | E 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SSW 15 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | E 9 | E 8 | E 6 | ENE 6 | ESE 7 |
30 | 29 | 21 | 80 | 61 | 17 | 32 | 31 | 22 | 84 | 58 | 44 | 33 | 31 | 30 | 19 | 39 | 35 | 75 | 53 | 29 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | S 9 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SE 9 | SSW 15 | ESE 9 | SE 15 | SE 14 | SE 13 | SE 13 | — | — | E 9 | ESE 7 | E 8 |
39 | 37 | 6 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 42 | 41 | 41 | 14 | 126 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | — | — | 15 | 36 | 21 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 5 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | — | — | NE 4 | SSW 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 6 | NNE 5 | SSW 3 | S 6 |
77 | 60 | 41 | 188 | 159 | 93 | — | — | 7 | 30 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 33 | 61 | 5 | 92 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 42 | 37 | 0 | 42 | 42 | 0 | 66 | 1 | 0 | 39 | 40 | 1 | 39 | 42 | 0 | 42 | 42 | 0 | 116 | 172 |
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.











