Thompsons Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 29.53° S 31.22° E

Thompsons Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 09 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Thompsons Bay sea temperature is
22.0° C
0.1° 

Thompsons Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Thompsons Bay surf forecast from 9 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 10 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 14s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 10 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 15s period, S swell with 2,547 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 10 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 13s 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 Friday (Jul 10) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 8s. 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 15s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 10) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 2s period and expected on Friday (Jul 17) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Fri 10th Jul)5ft (1.5m) 13s
Best Surf 5AM (Fri 10th Jul)5ft (1.6m) 14s
Most Powerful 2PM (Fri 10th Jul)8ft (2.4m) 15s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thompsons Bay over the next 16 days.


Alright, Rusty here. Let’s look at what’s on the table for the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – it’s a tough stretch. We’ve got a solid groundswell rolling in from the south for the first few days, but the wind is a constant thorn in our side. Cross-onshore breezes are making things messy, with wave energy strong in the 2400 range, but the quality just isn't there. Thompsons Bay is a sheltered spot, and we're getting that big S/SSE energy, but the ride is choppy and wind-blown. It's a shame because that's a powerful 8ft swell with a very long 15-second period on Friday, the 10th, but the cross-onshore wind just kills it. The water temp is running about average for the time of year, so no surprises there.

Saturday the 11th is a write-off with rain, and Sunday the 12th is even worse with stronger winds. We’ve got a real gap here where the surf is just not worth the paddle. The energy drops right off into the weak hundreds through the middle of next week.

Now, keep your eyes peeled for Wednesday the 15th. That’s our one true standout. The swell drops to a manageable 6ft from the ESE, with a decent 10-second period, and here’s the kicker: the afternoon goes glassy. That’s right, flat calm. With the wave energy still moderate at 653, that afternoon session at Thompsons Bay will be as clean as it gets in this run. The swell direction, ESE, is perfect for this break. It won't be for beginners, as it's still solid, but for the experienced crew, that window is pure gold.

The rest of the second week is a real mixed bag of weak energy and poor wind. We see a spike of energy with a 6ft SSW groundswell on Saturday the 25th, with a very long 16-second period, but it's paired with a moderate cross-shore breeze and the wave quality is marginal. That long-period groundswell will peel nicely here at this sheltered spot, but the conditions are holding it back from being a true top pick. It's a promising but less certain call for that far out.

Overall, it’s a lean period, but don’t lose hope. If you can get on that Wednesday glass-off, you’ll bag the best of a rough bunch.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 20°C on Fri morning, min 17°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Mon afternoon, min 16°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thu
16
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
2
2
1
1
3
0
0
1
1
1
2
0
0
2
1
2
2
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
S
13
2.3
S
15
2.4
S
14
2
S
14
1.8
S
13
1.7
S
13
1.6
S
13
1.4
S
12
1.3
S
12
1.4
SE
7
1.6
ESE
8
1.6
ESE
8
1.6
ESE
8
1.8
ESE
9
2
ESE
10
2.1
ESE
10
2
ESE
10
1.8
ESE
10
1.6
ESE
10
1.4
ESE
10
1.3
E
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
787
2405
2412
1483
1103
1001
865
584
472
179
303
298
350
502
687
817
794
628
544
418
346
Wind (km/h)
5
WSW
10
SSE
15
SSE
10
SW
10
S
10
S
10
WSW
20
SSW
20
SSE
10
W
10
SSE
10
SSE
5
WNW
15
S
10
S
10
W
5
ESE
5
ESE
10
WNW
5
SE
10
ENE
Wind State
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
glassy
off
on
cross-on
High Tide
11:09PM1.43m
11:55AM1.27m
00:36AM1.48m
1:17PM1.37m
1:46AM1.58m
2:20PM1.52m
2:42AM1.69m
3:11PM1.66m
3:30AM1.78m
3:57PM1.79m
4:13AM1.83m
4:40PM1.87m
4:53AM1.83m
5:20PM1.90m
Low Tide
5:42AM0.57m
5:58PM0.54m
7:03AM0.48m
7:19PM0.45m
8:06AM0.35m
8:23PM0.33m
8:58AM0.22m
9:16PM0.21m
9:42AM0.11m
10:02PM0.14m
10:23AM0.03m
10:45PM0.11m
11:02AM0.01m
rain showers
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
thunderstorm
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:48
6:48
6:48
6:48
6:48
6:48
6:48
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:09
5:10
5:10
5:12
5:12
5:13
5:13
5:14
 mm
1
5
2
1
Temp °C
19
20
20
19
19
19
19
19
19
18
19
20
19
19
20
20
20
20
19
19
20
Feels °C
19
20
18
18
18
17
19
16
16
17
18
19
20
18
19
19
20
18
20
18
19
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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