
Surf Forecasts:
Thompsons Bay surf forecast from 7 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 10 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 15s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 10 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, S swell with 3,138 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 7 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 7s period with NE 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 (Jul 07) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 10s 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 2.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 10) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 08) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Tue 7th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Fri 10th Jul) | 8ft (2.4m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Fri 10th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thompsons Bay over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Alright, let’s talk Thompsons Bay. The next couple of weeks are a mixed bag, with a slow start and a few windows that could get the heart pumping if you play your cards right. The water’s sitting at a normal 71° for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The first few days—Tuesday the 7th through Thursday the 9th—are a write-off. Tiny, weak, messy cross-shore junk. Nothing doing. Then Friday the 10th rolls in with a solid push of S swell, 7 ft on the morning, period 15 seconds, and the energy ramps up hard (2079). Problem is, it’s onshore from the SE, so it’s a bit lumpy. The afternoon gets even bigger—8 ft, 16-second groundswell, energy spiking to 3175—but still onshore, though only a light 3 mph. It’s marginal, but for a sheltered spot like this, that’s a lot of water moving. Not for beginners—over 8 ft is expert territory. Saturday the 11th drops a bit but stays onshore and messy. Sunday the 12th gets blown out by SW winds.
Then comes the real standout: Wednesday the 15th afternoon. The wind goes glassy, dead calm, and the swell is a solid 7 ft from the SSW, period 9 seconds. The energy is strong (1175), and the conditions are about as clean as it gets for this break. That’s the pick of the fortnight—if you can get out, it’ll be worth it. The swell direction isn’t the ideal SE, but when it’s glassy and holding 7 ft, you don’t complain.
After that, it goes downhill again. Thursday the 16th and Friday the 17th are blown out with strong winds. Saturday the 18th has a little SSW groundswell but short period, marginal. Sunday the 19th sees another big S pulse (8 ft, 1379 energy) but cross-onshore and choppy. Monday the 20th has 8 ft S swell but fresh cross-winds. Then Tuesday the 21st is a bit lighter but still marginal.
Finally, Wednesday the 22nd morning brings a monster: 15 ft from the SSW, period 12 seconds, energy shooting up to 9967. That’s a serious swell, but it’s onshore from the SSE, and the score is still marginal. Only for the most experienced, and even then the wind might ruin it. The afternoon drops to 8 ft but gets choppy again.
So in short: the first week is mostly a waste, the one clean window is Wednesday the 15th afternoon, and the second week has some size but wind issues. If you’re willing to wait, the 15th is your best bet—glassy, solid, and clean. Otherwise, keep an eye on the long-range for the 22nd, but it’s a gamble.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Tue afternoon, min 17°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 20°C on Fri morning, min 17°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | NE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | S 14 | S 13 | S 15 | S 16 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 7 | S 12 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
159 | 70 | 68 | 41 | 53 | 84 | 179 | 874 | 919 | 2039 | 3138 | 1832 | 1155 | 878 | 749 | 271 | 699 | 289 | 664 | 550 | 427 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 2:42AM1.69m | 3:11PM1.66m | 3:30AM1.78m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 8:23PM0.33m | 8:58AM0.22m | 9:16PM0.21m | ||||||||
6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | |
— | 5:08 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:12 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 23 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 |
Feels °C | 19 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 7 | SE 10 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | SE 9 | ENE 6 | S 5 | S 14 | S 13 | S 15 | S 16 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | SSW 12 | S 12 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 |
77 | 47 | 68 | 20 | 31 | 47 | 29 | 874 | 919 | 2039 | 3138 | 1832 | 1155 | 878 | 749 | 271 | 699 | 289 | 664 | 550 | 427 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | E 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SW 14 | SSW 15 | ENE 8 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 8 | SE 8 | SSW 11 | S 11 | SSW 10 |
61 | 17 | 32 | 31 | 53 | 84 | 55 | 39 | 52 | 33 | 30 | 19 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 24 | 22 | 65 | 123 | 85 | 110 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | E 10 | SE 9 | SSW 15 | ESE 9 | SE 15 | SE 14 | SE 13 | SE 13 | E 9 | — | — | ENE 9 | E 8 | SSW 11 | NE 6 | SSE 11 | S 14 |
18 | 21 | 42 | 41 | 17 | 14 | 179 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 13 | — | — | 26 | 36 | 100 | 1 | 12 | 15 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | ENE 7 | SSW 3 | — | NE 6 | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 7 | — | — | — | — | — |
159 | 70 | 3 | — | 34 | 28 | 50 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 219 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 42 | 37 | 0 | 116 | 66 | 37 | 6 | 40 | 0 | 40 | 39 | 0 | 12 | 42 | 6 | 39 | 118 | 0 | 6 | 39 | 0 |
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.










