Surf Forecasts:
Thompsons Bay surf forecast from 28 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 30 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 9s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 29 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, S swell with 1,271 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 30 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 9s 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 Thursday (Jul 30) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 1.8m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.8m and 9s 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 9s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Thu 30th Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Thu 30th Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Wed 29th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thompsons Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, mate, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Thompsons Bay. It’s a pretty grim run for a while, I’m not gonna lie. The surf is mostly on the small side, and the wind is a real problem for the first week and a half. You’ll be looking at a lot of cross-shore chop and messy conditions.
The water temp is sitting at 73°, which is just a touch warmer than average for this time of year, so not a big deal. The first real chance of anything decent doesn’t show up until Saturday, August 1st. That morning, the wind drops right out, going glassy, with a 5ft swell from the ESE at 9 seconds. The combined energy is moderate at 723. It’s not a massive day, but clean conditions are a major win after all the junk we’ll see before it. This is a sheltered spot, so it needs a bit of love. The rest of that weekend is just cross-shore and choppy again.
The real standout, though, is on Monday, August 10th. That afternoon looks like it could be the pick of the lot. The wind goes glassy, and we’ve got a solid 8ft swell from the south at 10 seconds. The combined energy is really strong (1735), so there’s plenty of power. That’s going to be a serious session, but with 8ft, it’s only for the experienced crew. Tuesday, August 11th, is also pumping with 10ft swell from the south at 12 seconds, but the wind is a bit onshore, so not quite as clean. The energy is massive, though, with a reading of 6365 on the Tuesday morning. That’s a lot of ocean moving. Because it’s a longer period groundswell, it might be a bit straight at the beach, but the power will be there. This is a fairly consistent spot, so it’s a case of being patient through the rough stuff.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 52mm), heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Tue afternoon, light winds from the WSW by Wed night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri afternoon, min 15°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 7 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 9 | SSW 7 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 396 | 1271 | 1151 | 793 | 603 | 474 | 941 | 921 | 1069 | 845 | 415 | 587 | 723 | 732 | 850 | 952 | 889 | 671 | 640 | 481 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | on | glassy | cross | cross-on | off | cross | cross | off |
High Tide | 3:37PM1.59m | 3:44AM1.67m | 4:07PM1.69m | 4:13AM1.74m | 4:35PM1.78m | 4:41AM1.78m | 5:03PM1.83m | 5:09AM1.80m | 5:32PM1.85m | 5:38AM1.77m | 6:01PM1.84m | 6:08AM1.71m | 6:32PM1.78m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:37PM0.33m | 9:54AM0.19m | 10:07PM0.25m | 10:22AM0.11m | 10:36PM0.20m | 10:49AM0.07m | 11:06PM0.17m | 11:17AM0.05m | 11:35PM0.18m | 11:45AM0.07m | 00:07AM0.21m | 12:15PM0.13m | 00:40AM0.27m | |||||||
 |  | | |  |  |  | | | |  | |  | | | |  | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — |
 | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — |
mm | 5 | 17 | 5 | 4 | 17 | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 18 |
Feels °C | 12 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSE 9 | E 9 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | E 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 |
| kJ | 266 | 174 | 928 | 113 | 482 | 235 | 61 | 156 | 145 | 86 | 415 | 587 | 723 | 732 | 850 | 952 | 889 | 671 | 640 | 481 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | SSW 14 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | — | SSW 18 | SSW 13 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 |
| kJ | 45 | 67 | 87 | 158 | 103 | 61 | 63 | — | 64 | 66 | 371 | 262 | 19 | 16 | 22 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 53 | 74 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SSW 14 | — | SSW 15 | — | — | — | — | SSW 17 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | — | — | S 17 | S 14 | S 12 | SSW 18 | S 10 | SSE 14 |
| kJ | — | — | 165 | — | 181 | — | — | — | — | 113 | 43 | 14 | — | — | 6 | 15 | 12 | 31 | 8 | 19 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 9 | SSW 7 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | — | NNE 4 |
| kJ | 396 | 1271 | 1151 | 793 | 603 | 474 | 941 | 921 | 1069 | 845 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | 10 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 941 | 39 | 12 | 178 | 0 | 368 | 443 | 39 | 922 | 87 | 0 | 22 | 42 | 0 | 19 | 42 | 0 | 42 | 42 | 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.
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