Surf Forecasts:
Rock Wave surf forecast from 28 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 30 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 14s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 1 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 8s period, E swell with 759 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 29 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 14s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Rock Wave this week:
The surf forecast for Rock Wave over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 1.5m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 1.0m and 8s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Rock Wave in the next 16 days are 2.4m 8s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 01) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 02) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Wed 29th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Thu 30th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Sat 1st Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rock Wave over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what Rock Wave has in store for us over the next couple of weeks.
We’re looking at a pretty grim run of surf to start, with a long gap of nothing worth paddling out for. The first few days are all marginal, with choppy, cross-onshore winds and weak, short-period swell. The wave energy is actually high at times, hitting 1306 (moderate to strong energy) on the 28th, but the wind is on it, and the quality is just not there. This pattern holds through the end of July and into the first week of August. Honestly, for the first week and a half, there’s hardly a window that’s worth a second look. The wind is mostly cross or cross-onshore, and the swell is short-period, around 8 to 9 seconds, so it’s going to be lumpy and weak.
The first real standout doesn’t come until Monday, August 10th. That’s the one to circle on your calendar. We’ve got a solid 13ft groundswell from the SW with a very long 18-second period, and the combined energy reading is a massive 11627. That’s serious, powerful energy. The wind is a gentle cross-shore from the SW, which will keep it reasonably clean. This is a big, powerful, long-period groundswell – it’s going to be a proper session. But a word of caution: with 13ft waves, this is strictly for the experienced crew. Beginners should sit this one out.
The next day, Tuesday the 11th, also looks promising with a 12ft SSW groundswell and a 15-second period, and energy of 8449. The wind is moderate cross-shore from the ENE, so it’ll be a bit bumpy but still very surfable. Again, at 12ft, it’s expert territory.
For the best on offer, the absolute standout is Monday, August 10th at Rock Wave. The combination of 13ft SW swell with that 18-second period and the clean cross-shore wind is as good as it gets in this forecast. The water temperature is about 69°F, which is pretty normal for this time of year, just a touch warmer than average with a 1°F anomaly. Just remember, this is a reef break, and with that long period, the waves will be powerful and well-shaped, but it’s not for the faint of heart.
The other decent option is Tuesday, August 11th, with the 12ft SSW swell. It’s a bit smaller and the wind is a little stronger, but it’s still a solid day for experienced surfers.
So, to sum it up: a lot of waiting for a couple of big, high-energy days. Stay patient, check the conditions, and be ready for the 10th and 11th of August. That’s where the juice is.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 27mm), heaviest during Tue morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sun afternoon, min 14°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NE on Fri morning, fresh winds from the NE by Sat afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 15 | SSE 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | ESE 9 | SSW 14 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 645 | 545 | 542 | 401 | 394 | 492 | 578 | 614 | 520 | 484 | 516 | 613 | 627 | 759 | 596 | 513 | 612 | 550 | 417 | 327 | 300 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:37PM1.39m | 3:42AM1.46m | 4:07PM1.48m | 4:11AM1.52m | 4:35PM1.55m | 4:39AM1.54m | 5:03PM1.60m | 5:07AM1.54m | 5:31PM1.62m | 5:36AM1.52m | 6:01PM1.61m | 6:07AM1.46m | 6:32PM1.56m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:25AM0.25m | 9:36PM0.31m | 9:54AM0.16m | 10:07PM0.24m | 10:21AM0.10m | 10:36PM0.20m | 10:48AM0.06m | 11:06PM0.17m | 11:15AM0.05m | 11:36PM0.17m | 11:43AM0.07m | 00:08AM0.20m | 12:13PM0.13m | 00:43AM0.25m | |||||||
 |  |  | | |  | |  | |  | |  | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — |
 | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — |
mm | 7 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 22 | 25 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 17 |
Feels °C | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 18 | 21 | 17 | 21 | 20 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | S 8 | ESE 9 | SE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | E 8 | E 8 | SSW 14 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 |
| kJ | 645 | 462 | 542 | 145 | 394 | 460 | 578 | 614 | 520 | 484 | 516 | 613 | 32 | 28 | 596 | 513 | 20 | 550 | 417 | 327 | 300 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | E 9 | S 9 | SSW 14 | SSE 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | — | SW 16 | S 11 | S 10 | S 13 | SW 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 637 | 14 | 148 | 401 | 151 | 492 | 401 | 390 | 312 | 281 | 131 | 79 | — | 10 | 21 | 18 | 14 | 44 | 169 | 145 | 121 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | — | S 12 | S 11 | SSW 14 | SSE 8 | — | — | — | — | SSW 16 | — | — | — | S 15 | SSW 14 | S 10 | SSW 16 | SW 12 | S 20 | SSW 4 |
| kJ | 24 | — | 11 | 2 | 361 | 174 | — | — | — | — | 50 | — | — | — | 4 | 20 | 8 | 25 | 51 | 7 | 4 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 5 | E 9 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | SW 4 | SW 6 | — |
| kJ | — | 545 | 334 | 338 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 35 | 627 | 759 | 850 | 655 | 612 | 885 | 10 | 25 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 510 | 510 | 333 | 349 | 103 | 0 | 2 | 31 | 5 | 103 | 497 | 183 | 269 | 454 | 13 | 75 | 257 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape - Wild Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Rock Wave Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Rock Wave provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Rock Wave can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Rock Wave 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 (Rock Wave) 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 Rock Wave 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.
Are you planning a holiday in Eastern Cape - Wild Coast? If you are looking for accommodation near Rock Wave, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Eastern Cape - Wild Coast, consider staying in East London which is 25 km (16 miles) away. Other places in and around Eastern Cape - Wild Coast where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Butterworth which is 60 km (37 miles) away, Stutterheim and Bisho.
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