
Surf Forecasts:
Thompsons Bay surf forecast from 11 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 11 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 13s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 15s period, S swell with 2,146 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 11 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 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 Saturday (Jul 11) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s 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 2.2m 15s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 16) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sat 11th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Sat 11th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thompsons Bay over the next 16 days.
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s not beat around the bush – we’ve got a tough stretch ahead for Thompsons Bay. The water temp is sitting right around average for the time of year at 71°F, so nothing weird there, but the surf is a different story.
We start off Saturday morning, July 11th, with a 6ft south swell. The period is a solid 13 seconds, so there’s some groundswell energy in the water, with combined energy hitting 1125 (moderate to strong). The problem is the wind is cross from the SSW at 9 mph, putting a bit of a chop on it. The models are calling this marginal at best, and honestly, it’s not looking like the kind of day you’d rush out for. The swell is too big for beginners and the conditions aren't clean enough to get excited about.
Sunday the 12th drops off to 5ft, but the wind stays cross-onshore. Same story. The energy drops to 649 (moderate), but the quality is poor. Monday and Tuesday see the swell drop further and the wind flips around, but it’s still cross or cross-on. A few 5ft to 6ft bumps show up but the period drops to 8 or 9 seconds – short-period windswell that won’t hold much shape. Combined energy is in the 400-600 range (weak to moderate). The surf is inconsistent and messy.
Now, here’s the only real highlight in the whole 16 days. It’s a long way off, but keep an eye on Saturday, July 18th. We’ve got a 8ft south swell rolling in, with a very long 17-second period. The combined energy jumps to a massive 4471 (very strong). This is a serious groundswell – the kind that will have power but will be tricky on a beach break. It’s going to want a point or reef to really shine. The wind is cross-onshore though, at 12 mph, which is a real shame. The models are still calling it poor for paddle surfing because of the chop. If the wind swings offshore, this could be the standout, but as it stands, it’s going to be a lumpy, powerful mess, and only for experts. The 8ft size is expert territory.
Sunday the 19th has a 7ft south swell (13 seconds, 1556 energy) but again, cross-shore wind at 12 mph. More of the same frustration. Monday the 20th sees a 7ft northeast swell, but the period is a short 7 seconds – weak, junky, and disorganized.
The second week is a write-off. The swell drops below 3ft, the period goes long again (15-18 seconds) but with no energy to back it up. The combined energy falls to the 200-400 range (weak). The wind stays annoying. By Sunday the 26th, we’re left with a 3ft south-southwest swell at 18 seconds, but cross-shore wind at 15 mph. It’s a total dud.
Honestly, the best bet in this whole outlook is the Saturday morning of July 18th if you’re an expert and you don’t mind the wind. For everyone else, you’re looking at a long stretch of poor to marginal surf. The area is not producing anything consistent, and with the wind being the main problem, a blank run like this is pretty normal for the area when the conditions don't align. Keep an eye on the wind forecasts, because that’s the only thing that could save it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 20°C on Mon afternoon, min 15°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Tue afternoon, min 17°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sat 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 12 | ESE 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 7 | SSW 15 | S 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1210 | 1044 | 584 | 480 | 140 | 273 | 337 | 308 | 537 | 626 | 495 | 459 | 470 | 509 | 440 | 379 | 422 | 260 | 290 | 849 | 1556 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | on | off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on |
High Tide | 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 | 5:31AM1.80m | 5:59PM1.87m | 6:07AM1.72m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 11:26PM0.14m | 11:39AM0.03m | 00:05AM0.20m | 12:15PM0.10m | |||||||
— | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | |
5:10 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:14 | — | 5:15 | |
mm | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 |
Temp °C | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 18 |
Feels °C | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | ESE 6 | ESE 8 | S 11 | E 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 15 | S 13 |
1210 | 1044 | 584 | 480 | 121 | 273 | 119 | 256 | 537 | 626 | 495 | 459 | 470 | 509 | 440 | 379 | 422 | 260 | 184 | 849 | 1556 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 7 | E 6 | E 5 | S 8 | S 11 | S 14 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | S 18 | E 10 | E 9 |
22 | 44 | 39 | 28 | 86 | 160 | 33 | 108 | 54 | 35 | 33 | 18 | 9 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 86 | 70 | 6 | 146 | 140 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 9 | E 9 | SSW 12 | S 14 | S 11 | SSE 9 | SSW 10 | SSE 9 | — | SW 16 | S 11 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SW 18 | SE 11 | S 10 | SSW 17 | — | — |
— | — | 15 | 15 | 140 | 62 | 2 | 32 | 85 | 8 | — | 10 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 13 | 4 | 2 | 29 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | — | — | — | — | SW 3 | — | ENE 4 | NNE 6 | SSW 4 | SSW 7 | S 7 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 337 | 308 | 237 | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | 26 | 105 | 35 | 290 | 261 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 39 | 39 | 6 | 6 | 42 | 0 | 42 | 42 | 0 | 42 | 25 | 0 | 42 | 87 | 0 | 42 | 42 | 0 | 338 | 776 | 607 |
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.











