Thompsons Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 29.53° S 31.22° E

Thompsons Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 am 07 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Thompsons Bay sea temperature is
20.6°C
0.9° 

Thompsons Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Thompsons Bay surf forecast from 7 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, ENE swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 16s period, S swell with 2,824 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 10 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period with ENE 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 (Sep 10) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 2.1m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Thompsons Bay in the next 16 days are 2.4m 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Thu 10th Sep)8ft (2.5m) 8s
Best Surf 8PM (Thu 10th Sep)8ft (2.5m) 8s
Most Powerful 5PM (Mon 7th Sep)8ft (2.4m) 16s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thompsons Bay over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s talk in feet and miles per hour for you. Thompsons Bay is a sheltered spot, takes a south swell best, and the water temp is sitting at about 69°F, pretty normal for the time of year.

The 16-day window is a tough one. There’s a big gap with no decent surf for the first several days. The first real recommendation doesn’t show up until the 15th of September, Tuesday afternoon. That’s a long wait. From the 7th right through the morning of the 15th, it’s mostly cross-shore winds, messy chop, and poor surf conditions. A few days have some size, like a 10-foot south swell on the 7th morning with a 17-second period, but the wind is cross and the combined energy is huge (5344), but the wave comment says it’s marginal or questionable. Not worth it. The period is long, so it’s a groundswell, but at a sheltered beach break, that long period can make it break too straight.

The first standout hits on the 15th of September, Tuesday afternoon. Finally, clean conditions. The wind shifts to a light cross-offshore from the west at 9 mph, and the swell is about 5 feet from the east with a 9-second period. The combined energy is moderate (459). The wave comment says “expect good surf conditions.” That’s the one. It’s not huge, but it’s clean, and after all that chop, it’s a winner. Crowds are possible here sometimes, so you might have company.

The 20th of September, Sunday morning, is another one to mark. Light cross-offshore from the WSW at just 3 mph, almost glassy. Swell is about 7 feet from the southeast with a 10-second period, combined energy at 942, moderate. Clean conditions again. That’s a solid morning. But it’s over a week and a half away, so keep it on the radar.

The rest of the period is mostly messy, with strong winds, cross-chop, or onshore conditions. The 17th and 18th have some size, 10 to 13 feet, but the wind is either cross-on or strong cross, and the wave comments are poor. That’s expert-only, if anyone’s brave. On those big windy days, it looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

So, bottom line: the first real shot is the 15th of September afternoon, and the 20th morning is another clean one. Everything else is a miss or a mess. Forecasts can change, but right now, it’s a waiting game.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Wed morning, min 16°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon morning, strong winds from the ENE by Tue afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Thu afternoon, min 19°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
2
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
S
17
2.4
S
16
1.7
S
14
1.2
S
12
2.2
ENE
7
2.1
ENE
7
1.9
ENE
7
2.5
ENE
8
2.3
ENE
8
2
ENE
8
2.1
ENE
8
1.7
ENE
8
1.2
E
9
1.1
E
9
1
E
9
0.9
E
9
0.9
E
9
1
E
9
1.8
ENE
7
3
ENE
8
2.5
ENE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
5226
2824
1143
411
444
407
359
766
672
554
549
412
230
203
164
130
127
164
278
1310
958
Wind (km/h)
5
NE
20
NE
15
NNE
30
NE
40
ENE
25
NNE
25
NE
40
NE
15
NNE
20
ENE
15
ENE
25
SW
25
SSW
15
SSW
15
SW
10
SE
15
ENE
10
NE
25
ENE
30
NE
10
NNE
Wind State
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
High Tide
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
4:29PM2.03m
4:39AM1.89m
4:56PM1.98m
Low Tide
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
10:14AM-0.07m
10:36PM0.00m
10:42AM-0.05m
11:03PM0.04m
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:03
6:01
6:01
6:00
5:58
5:56
5:56
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:43
5:43
5:44
5:44
5:45
5:45
5:45
 mm
Temp °C
17
18
18
21
22
19
23
23
20
24
25
20
21
21
21
22
21
20
26
25
23
Feels °C
17
16
15
17
16
14
19
17
15
21
22
22
18
18
20
22
20
21
24
22
21
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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