Thompsons Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 29.53° S 31.22° E

Thompsons Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 18 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Thompsons Bay sea temperature is
21.4° 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 18 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s period, S swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, SSW swell with 1,775 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 9s 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 18s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 5s is also forecast. 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 3.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Tue 18th Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 9s
Best Surf 2AM (Fri 21st Aug)5.5ft (1.7m) 16s
Most Powerful 8AM (Sun 23rd Aug)10ft (3.0m) 10s

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 cookin’ for Thompsons Bay over the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, I’m looking at this forecast and it’s a real mixed bag. The first week is a struggle, with a lot of cross-onshore wind and chop ruining the shape. The swell energy is mostly moderate, getting into the low hundreds (327) up to the mid hundreds (851), but the wind is just killing it. The water is sitting at 71°F right now, which is bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The first real chance to get wet looks like Saturday morning, the 22nd of August. We’ve got a light offshore wind from the NNW, cleaning up a small 2ft swell from the south. The period is a long 13 seconds, so there’s some proper groundswell energy (305), but it’s small. It’s surfable, but only just. For a sheltered spot like Thompsons Bay, that south swell needs to wrap in just right, and the long period might make it a bit too straight for the beach, but with glassy conditions, it’s the best we’ve seen.

After that, it gets messy again until Monday afternoon, the 24th of August. That afternoon session is a standout for the near term. The wind goes glassy, with a light easterly breeze at just 3 mph. The swell is 4ft from the south, with a 12-second period (490 energy). It’s not huge, but glassy conditions at a sheltered spot like this mean clean, peeling waves. This is the one to circle if you can get out of work.

The second week gets interesting, but it’s a bit of a gamble. Thursday afternoon, the 27th of August, sees a solid 10ft swell from the ENE, but the period is a short 8 seconds (1854 energy – that’s strong energy). That’s a lot of water moving, but short period windswell will be lumpy and hard to handle, especially at over 8ft – that’s expert-only territory. The wind is light cross-shore, so it won’t be a total mess, but it’s gonna be a handful.

The real eyes-light-up moment comes Friday the 28th of August. We’ve got a 5ft swell from the SSE, with a 14-second period. That’s proper groundswell, and the energy is massive (1527). The wind is a gentle cross-shore from the NE, so the waves will have some shape. For a break that’s exposed to that south-east direction, this could be the pick of the entire 16 days – long lines, solid push, and clean enough. Just keep in mind, that long period groundswell can be a bit tricky at a beach break, but the quality of the swell is undeniable.

The rest of the run into the first few days of September is a bit of a write-off. The wind stays on the cross-shore, and the swell hangs around 5ft to 8ft, but the periods drop to 6-8 seconds, and the energy is just messy. Kite surfers might have a field day, but for paddle surfing, it’s a pass.

Best bets: Monday afternoon the 24th for a clean, glassy session, and Friday the 28th of August for the biggest, most powerful groundswell of the window. The Friday session is the real standout but it’s a week away, so keep your fingers crossed the forecast holds.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Wed morning, min 17°C on Thu night). Mainly strong winds.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 33°C on Sat morning, min 15°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Sat afternoon, calm by Mon morning).

Tue
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
2
1
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
E
9
1
E
9
0.9
E
9
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
15
2.3
SSW
8
1.7
S
8
1.7
S
16
1.4
SSW
13
1
SSW
13
0.8
SSW
12
1.3
ENE
7
0.9
ENE
7
2.5
S
10
1.9
S
10
1.7
S
10
1.7
S
12
1.4
S
13
1.1
S
12
1.1
S
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
196
155
121
233
249
704
382
1416
722
345
179
163
72
1293
711
586
898
673
356
605
Wind (km/h)
20
SSW
5
W
15
NE
20
NE
40
SSW
25
SSW
20
S
5
NW
20
ENE
25
NE
15
NNE
10
NNW
35
SSW
25
SSW
20
S
10
SSE
5
NNW
10
E
5
E
10
WSW
Wind State
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross
cross
cross-off
off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
off
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
High Tide
6:56PM1.59m
7:03AM1.42m
7:24PM1.42m
7:33AM1.26m
8:00PM1.25m
8:20AM1.10m
9:26PM1.10m
12:05PM1.03m
00:56AM1.14m
1:46PM1.18m
1:54AM1.29m
2:23PM1.35m
2:28AM1.45m
Low Tide
1:04AM0.44m
1:10PM0.46m
1:36AM0.59m
1:42PM0.63m
2:22AM0.74m
2:38PM0.79m
4:44AM0.84m
6:12PM0.85m
7:29AM0.73m
7:45PM0.71m
8:10AM0.56m
8:22PM0.55m
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:24
6:22
6:22
6:20
6:20
6:18
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:31
5:32
5:32
5:34
5:34
5:35
5:35
 mm
Temp °C
20
19
22
22
20
19
19
19
20
20
19
33
33
20
18
19
17
19
20
19
Feels °C
18
18
20
18
20
15
15
19
18
16
16
30
27
14
14
16
16
17
19
19
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  • 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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