Surf Forecasts:
Rock Wave surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 14 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 20 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 11s period, ESE swell with 6,032 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period with E 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 Monday (Sep 14) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Rock Wave in the next 16 days are 5.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 20) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 4.0m 10s period and expected on Monday (Sep 14) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Mon 14th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Mon 14th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sun 20th Sep) | 16ft (5.0m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rock Wave over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, Rusty here, your local surf reporter. Let's have a look at what Rock Wave has in store for us over the next couple of weeks.
Right now, there's no good surf to be had. The start of the run is a real shocker, with Sunday the 13th through Tuesday the 22nd delivering a solid block of poor to marginal conditions. The water temperature is sitting at 61° which is much colder than normal for this time of year, so you'll need a thick suit if you’re even thinking about it.
Alright, let's talk about the best we've got. The standout is definitely the Wednesday morning of the 23rd. We get a gentle offshore wind from the NW, making for clean conditions at this exposed reef break. The swell is a small 4 ft from the E, with a moderate combined energy of 559. It won't be big, but the offshore flow will make for some glassy, fun-shaped waves. It's a reef break, so the groundswell from the E with a period of 10 seconds will wrap in nicely. The crowds here are sometimes an issue, so you might have some company.
After that, we have a bit of a lull with poor surf again until Sunday the 27th. On Sunday morning, the wind goes glassy with a slight air from the S. The swell drops right down to 3 ft from the SSW with a period of 10 seconds and a combined energy of 322. It’s not big but with that glassy wind and clean conditions, it’ll be a fun little session for those who aren't after power. Sunday afternoon stays clean with a light cross-offshore wind and even smaller 3 ft waves.
The last bit of hope comes on Monday the 28th, but the wind swings back to a cross-onshore from the SSW, making the 5 ft to 6 ft swell messy and choppy with moderate combined energy up to 852. Not the best way to end the run.
So, to sum it up, if you're after a clean wave, Wednesday the 23rd morning is your best bet. Sunday the 27th is a close second for a glassy, small-wave session. Don't bother before that, the whole stretch from the 13th to the 22nd is pretty much a write-off.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Warm (max 26°C on Mon afternoon, min 18°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the E on Sun afternoon, calm by Mon night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 42mm), heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 21°C on Wed morning, min 14°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Wed night, light winds from the SE by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | |||||||||||||||
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) | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | ESE 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1249 | 1684 | 1422 | 1827 | 2048 | 1636 | 810 | 590 | 502 | 333 | 290 | 249 | 463 | 228 | 306 | 241 | 419 | 663 | 1299 | 2084 | 6032 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:56PM1.73m | 5:07AM1.56m | 5:23PM1.64m | 5:34AM1.47m | 5:48PM1.52m | 5:59AM1.36m | 6:12PM1.38m | 6:24AM1.23m | 6:37PM1.23m | 6:50AM1.09m | 7:05PM1.08m | 7:30AM0.95m | 8:11PM0.94m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:41AM-0.01m | 11:05PM0.06m | 11:08AM0.06m | 11:31PM0.14m | 11:34AM0.17m | 11:56PM0.25m | 12:00PM0.29m | 00:22AM0.37m | 12:25PM0.43m | 00:50AM0.51m | 12:54PM0.58m | 1:31AM0.65m | 1:40PM0.73m | 4:11AM0.75m | |||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  | |  | | | |  |  | | | | |  | | |  | |
 | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — |
 | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — |
mm | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 21 | 11 | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 19 | 20 | 23 | 26 | 23 | 24 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 17 |
Feels °C | 17 | 16 | 17 | 21 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 14 | 15 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | S 8 | SSE 8 | E 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 688 | 487 | 297 | 187 | 2048 | 1636 | 810 | 590 | 502 | 333 | 290 | 249 | 202 | 228 | 306 | 158 | 78 | 233 | 92 | 81 | 118 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 11 | S 10 | — | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 10 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 15 | — | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
| kJ | 41 | 9 | 2 | — | 131 | 73 | 63 | 61 | 38 | 64 | 121 | 110 | 98 | 202 | 212 | 98 | 77 | — | 12 | 65 | 56 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 17 | SSW 15 | — | SW 10 | SSW 10 | — | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | SW 15 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 21 | — | 24 | 43 | — | 96 | 113 | — | — | — | — | — | 76 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | ENE 10 | — | — | — | — | SSW 11 | S 6 | S 5 | S 8 | SE 7 | — | SE 7 | ESE 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | ESE 11 |
| kJ | 1249 | 1684 | 1422 | 1827 | 3176 | — | — | — | — | 265 | 106 | 52 | 463 | 217 | — | 241 | 419 | 663 | 1299 | 2084 | 6032 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 434 | 510 | 458 | 258 | 120 | 0 | 2 | 194 | 0 | 454 | 459 | 108 | 384 | 31 | 136 | 384 | 200 | 20 | 309 | 510 | 406 |
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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