Surf Forecasts:
Thompsons Bay surf forecast from 5 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 7 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 18s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, S swell with 5,226 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 5 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 9s period with SSE 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 Saturday (Sep 05) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 10s. 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 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sat 5th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thompsons Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty, and I’m looking at what’s on the cards for Thompsons Bay. For the next 16 days, it’s a real mixed bag, and you’ll have to be patient.
The first proper surf of the period doesn't show up until Monday, September 7th. Before that, Saturday and Sunday are a write-off – small, messy, and choppy with poor conditions. The wait is worth it, though.
The standout window is that Monday morning, September 7th. The forecast is calling for a solid 10 ft swell from the south, with a very long period of 17 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell, and the wave energy is going to be pumping (5344). The wind is light and cross-offshore from the north, which means the face will be clean. This is prime for experienced surfers, as anything over 8 ft is for experts only. For a sheltered spot like Thompsons Bay, a big, long-period S swell can sometimes get a bit straight, but the quality of that wind should make for some memorable, powerful waves. The water temperature is sitting at 70°, which is about average for this time of year.
After that solid Monday morning, the wind picks up and the conditions deteriorate quickly. The rest of the first week and into the second week is dominated by onshore winds, chop, and poor surf quality. The wave energy is moderate to strong at times, like the Thursday, September 10th afternoon when it hits 1053, but it’s mixed with a strong cross-shore wind that makes it a mess. By the end of the second week, around Friday, September 18th, there’s a solid 8 ft swell from the SE, but it’s onshore and choppy, so it’s not a good look for a paddle.
Honestly, if you’re chasing the best of it, Monday morning, September 7th is the only real standout. The rest of the 16 days is mostly a wait for the next clean window. The setup is a bit too rough for a good paddle most of the time.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat afternoon, min 16°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Wed morning, min 17°C on Tue morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the ENE on Tue afternoon, calm by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | E 10 | E 9 | SSW 11 | S 21 | S 17 | S 16 | S 14 | S 12 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 830 | 484 | 290 | 194 | 191 | 1071 | 5226 | 2824 | 1143 | 403 | 570 | 423 | 353 | 865 | 619 | 463 | 545 | 355 | 240 | 207 | 164 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 8:54AM1.15m | 10:29PM1.18m | 12:09PM1.17m | 00:53AM1.29m | 1:34PM1.39m | 1:53AM1.48m | 2:20PM1.61m | 2:34AM1.65m | 2:57PM1.80m | 3:09AM1.78m | 3:30PM1.95m | 3:41AM1.87m | 4:00PM2.02m | 4:11AM1.90m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:21PM0.74m | 5:23AM0.74m | 6:26PM0.71m | 7:14AM0.57m | 7:44PM0.51m | 8:04AM0.37m | 8:28PM0.32m | 8:41AM0.18m | 9:05PM0.17m | 9:14AM0.04m | 9:37PM0.06m | 9:45AM-0.04m | 10:07PM0.01m | ||||||||
 | |  |  |  | | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — |
 | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 21 |
Feels °C | 17 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 20 | 17 | 17 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | S 21 | S 17 | S 16 | S 14 | S 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 |
| kJ | 830 | 484 | 290 | 192 | 155 | 1071 | 5226 | 2824 | 1143 | 403 | 153 | 161 | 85 | 85 | 40 | 40 | 466 | 355 | 240 | 207 | 164 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | E 8 | E 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | E 8 | E 10 | ENE 10 | E 10 | SSW 13 | S 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 16 | SW 15 | SE 12 | SSE 11 | SSW 17 | SSW 15 | SSW 8 |
| kJ | 112 | 156 | 268 | 194 | 191 | 115 | 118 | 160 | 48 | 102 | 119 | 56 | 27 | 13 | 5 | 8 | 35 | 25 | 159 | 87 | 12 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | S 14 | SSW 12 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | S 10 | — | — | S 20 | E 10 | — | — | S 16 | SW 17 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SSW 20 | SE 13 | SSE 12 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 48 | 148 | 81 | 114 | 77 | 133 | — | — | 30 | 30 | — | — | 5 | 12 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 38 | 43 | 15 | 36 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | — | SSW 2 | S 3 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 49 | 169 | 570 | 423 | 353 | 865 | 619 | 463 | 545 | — | 1 | 1 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 42 | 42 | 0 | 22 | 42 | 42 | 0 | 68 | 116 | 514 | 732 | 258 | 548 | 514 | 0 | 277 | 66 | 0 | 117 | 39 | 6 |
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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