Surf Forecasts:
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 Type | Time (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 ForecastLight 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 SummaryMostly 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 | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | SE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 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) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | 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 | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | | |  | | | |
 | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — |
 | 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 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | SE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 |
| kJ | 787 | 2405 | 2412 | 1483 | 1103 | 1001 | 865 | 584 | 472 | 173 | 303 | 298 | 350 | 502 | 687 | 817 | 794 | 628 | 544 | 418 | 346 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ESE 6 | E 6 | E 6 | SSW 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | SSE 11 | S 7 | S 8 |
| kJ | 36 | 30 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 62 | 83 | 53 | 179 | 202 | 157 | 110 | 54 | 51 | 20 | 9 | 17 | 11 | 42 | 114 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 15 | SE 14 | SE 13 | SE 12 | — | — | E 7 | — | S 13 | E 8 | — | SE 11 | S 10 | — | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSW 9 | SSE 10 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | — | — | 9 | — | 3 | 22 | — | 5 | 2 | — | 16 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 15 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 4 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 94 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 39 | 93 | 6 | 9 | 39 | 0 | 117 | 39 | 0 | 39 | 514 | 0 | 39 | 39 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 42 |
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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