Surf Forecasts:
Rock Wave surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 14s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s period, SW swell with 2,397 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 9s. 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 3.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 7s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rock Wave over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again.
First thing—water temp at Rock Wave is about 64°F, which is around 3°F colder than the seasonal norm, so it’s a little chilly out there.
The next couple of weeks bring a real mixed bag. For the first few days, you’re mainly looking at smaller stuff, but it picks up proper on Tuesday the 19th. Wednesday morning the 19th has a 4ft SSW swell with a 13-second period, a gentle NE breeze, and clear conditions. The cross-shore wind keeps things tidy, and the combined swell energy sits at a moderate 648. It’s a decent weekday option if you need a wave.
But the big one is Thursday morning the 20th. Rock Wave gets a 10ft SW swell with a 12-second period, and the morning is clear with light southwest winds. This is serious groundswell—for experts only at this size. The offshore wind direction is NW, perfect for the reef, and the combined swell energy is a massive 3033. That’s the day to block out. Big, powerful, and clean.
After that, the swell drops back to 4-6ft through the weekend, but the wind turns nasty. Saturday the 22nd brings cross-shore wind up to 25 mph, and the surf gets messy—kite-surfing territory with that short 8-second period on the afternoon.
Towards the end of August, you get a few marginal windows. Monday the 31st morning shows a 6ft east swell with a clean cross-offshore NNE breeze at 9 mph. It’s small but clean, with combined energy at 588. Not a standout, but a rare clean moment.
September starts off weak—onshore and cross-shore winds, smaller 4-5ft swell, not much to write home about.
Bottom line: Thursday the 20th is your winner. Big groundswell, clean conditions, and all the energy you could ask for. Wednesday the 19th is a good runner-up for a smaller session. The rest is mostly blown out or just okay.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Wed afternoon, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Sat afternoon, light winds from the W by Sun night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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) | E 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 11 | SSW 8 | SSW 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 117 | 649 | 547 | 563 | 289 | 2397 | 2027 | 1057 | 537 | 432 | 284 | 260 | 798 | 1602 | 1036 | 1108 | 589 | 286 | 238 | 724 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:59PM1.38m | 7:07AM1.19m | 7:30PM1.23m | 7:39AM1.06m | 8:10PM1.08m | 8:39AM0.93m | 10:07PM0.97m | 12:31PM0.91m | 00:55AM1.03m | 1:46PM1.05m | 1:49AM1.16m | 2:21PM1.19m | 2:24AM1.29m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:10AM0.42m | 1:09PM0.43m | 1:44AM0.55m | 1:44PM0.58m | 2:39AM0.67m | 2:48PM0.72m | 5:33AM0.73m | 6:24PM0.74m | 7:32AM0.61m | 7:43PM0.62m | 8:09AM0.47m | 8:20PM0.49m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — |
 | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 17 | 22 | 24 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 24 | 24 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 15 | 20 | 20 | 15 |
Feels °C | 16 | 17 | 20 | 24 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 10 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | E 6 | S 11 | E 8 | SSW 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 117 | 649 | 547 | 563 | 289 | 338 | 2027 | 1057 | 537 | 432 | 97 | 260 | 33 | 853 | 1036 | 1108 | 589 | 286 | 238 | 724 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | E 9 | E 9 | E 6 | E 8 | SSW 15 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | — | S 12 | ENE 8 | — | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 9 | S 14 | S 14 | E 10 |
| kJ | 87 | 83 | 60 | 46 | 64 | 179 | 21 | 12 | 12 | — | 284 | 77 | — | 14 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 142 | 206 | 7 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | E 9 | — | SSW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 7 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 10 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 39 | — | 119 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 5 | — | ENE 3 | — | SSW 6 | SW 12 | — | — | — | ENE 4 | ENE 7 | SW 5 | SSW 8 | SSW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 41 | — | 4 | — | 150 | 2397 | — | — | — | 21 | 234 | 76 | 798 | 1602 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 31 | 0 | 40 | 2 | 321 | 31 | 31 | 0 | 269 | 434 | 0 | 309 | 494 | 259 | 31 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 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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