Surf Forecasts:
Thompsons Bay surf forecast from 14 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 15s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 11s period, S swell with 1,492 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 15 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 10s 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 Wednesday (Jul 15) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. 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 2.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Wed 15th Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thompsons Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s chew the fat on what Thompsons Bay is serving up.
Honestly, the first few days are a bit of a dud. Wednesday the 15th and Thursday the 16th have some chest-high swell around 5 to 6 feet from the east, but the wind is blowing onshore, so it’s gonna be messy. The wave energy is moderate (around 743 to 813), but the conditions are no good. Friday the 17th is a total washout.
There’s a dry spell from the 15th through the 18th with nothing worth getting wet for. The weekend of the 19th and 20th shows a bump in size, with Sunday morning the 19th seeing 6 feet from the south at 12 seconds, and the energy climbing into the strong range (1037). But the wind is cross-shore, and the afternoon gets wrecked by a strong cross-onshore breeze. So close, yet so far.
Here’s the one to lock in. Wednesday the 22nd of July. We’ve got a solid 6-foot swell from the south-southwest, with a very long 18-second period. That’s real groundswell energy (2704). The wind is a light cross-shore from the northeast, which will keep it clean. For a sheltered spot like this, it’s the best window of the whole run. The water is about average temp for this time of year. This is a proper session for intermediate surfers. The long period means the waves will have real power and shape, with well-spaced sets. It’s not for beginners though – 6 feet of that energy is a step up.
The end of the month turns ugly again. The 23rd is blown out with strong winds, and the 24th and 25th drop to smaller, choppy surf. The 29th of July shows a big spike – 13 feet on the Wednesday morning – but it’s a short period windswell (9 seconds) with cross-shore wind at 20 km/h. That much swell is for experts only, and the short period will make it fat and bumpy. Probably better for the kite guys.
The last day, Thursday the 30th of July, has a tiny 3-foot swell but with a massive 19-second period. That’s a whisper from a long way off. Not much wave, but if you’re on a longboard, you might snag something.
Bottom line: the 22nd of July is the real deal. The rest of the run is wind-ruined swell or small weak waves. Keep your eyes peeled for that Wednesday.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Wed morning, min 16°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sun morning, min 16°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Sat morning, fresh winds from the SSW by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tue 21 | |||||||||||||||
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) | E 10 | E 10 | ESE 10 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 11 | S 13 | S 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 802 | 725 | 784 | 723 | 458 | 392 | 327 | 279 | 234 | 190 | 205 | 499 | 1443 | 940 | 1229 | 1492 | 606 | 466 | 283 | 289 | 227 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | on | on | cross-off | on | cross-on | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:13AM1.83m | 4:40PM1.87m | 4:53AM1.83m | 5:20PM1.90m | 5:31AM1.80m | 5:59PM1.87m | 6:07AM1.72m | 6:37PM1.80m | 6:43AM1.62m | 7:13PM1.68m | 7:19AM1.49m | 7:51PM1.55m | 7:58AM1.35m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:02PM0.14m | 10:23AM0.03m | 10:45PM0.11m | 11:02AM0.01m | 11:26PM0.14m | 11:39AM0.03m | 00:05AM0.20m | 12:15PM0.10m | 00:43AM0.30m | 12:50PM0.21m | 1:20AM0.41m | 1:27PM0.34m | 2:01AM0.53m | 2:06PM0.49m | |||||||
 |  | | | | | | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:46 | — |
 | 5:13 | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 24 | 24 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 22 | 24 |
Feels °C | 18 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 15 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | ESE 10 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 11 | S 13 | S 14 | S 12 | E 10 | S 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SE 11 | SSW 13 | SE 12 |
| kJ | 802 | 725 | 784 | 723 | 458 | 392 | 327 | 279 | 234 | 190 | 205 | 499 | 1443 | 940 | 66 | 1246 | 606 | 466 | 283 | 289 | 220 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | S 9 | SSW 9 | SSE 10 | S 9 | SSW 8 | S 7 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 14 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 5 | E 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 14 | SE 11 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 33 | 15 | 17 | 22 | 15 | 54 | 26 | 15 | 15 | 156 | 153 | 149 | 120 | 90 | 3 | 47 | 294 | 143 | 269 | 205 | 227 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 12 | SSE 11 | SSW 9 | S 4 | SSE 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | — | S 15 | E 10 | S 16 | NE 5 | SW 14 | SW 12 | E 10 | E 9 | NE 6 | NE 6 | S 6 |
| kJ | — | 3 | 12 | 8 | 3 | 7 | 40 | 33 | 15 | — | 67 | 149 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 30 | 27 | 38 | 17 | 54 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SSW 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 4 | — | S 12 | S 11 | — | ENE 4 | NE 6 | S 3 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 22 | — | 1229 | 1492 | — | 11 | 88 | 5 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 39 | 39 | 0 | 6 | 42 | 0 | 39 | 19 | 0 | 42 | 42 | 0 | 37 | 19 | 277 | 6 | 42 | 0 | 25 | 25 |
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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