Rock Wave surfForecast / Eastern Cape – Wild Coast / South Africa

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 7 am Wednesday 14 Jan 2026 SAST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Rock Wave surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Rock Wave sea temperature is
17.6° C
(Which is 6.0°C colder than average for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Rock Wave this week:

The surf forecast for Rock Wave over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jan 17) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 4s 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 12 days are 1.8m 15s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jan 15) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Jan 20) at 8AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Sat 17th Jan)3ft (0.9m) 10s
Best Surf11PM (Sun 18th Jan)5ft (1.6m) 11s
Most Powerful 2PM (Thu 15th Jan)6ft (1.8m) 15s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rock Wave over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 30°C on Wed afternoon, min 20°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 24°C on Sat afternoon, min 16°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat night, fresh winds from the SW by Sun afternoon).

Wednesday
14
Thursday
15
Friday
16
Saturday
17
Sunday
18
Monday
19
Tuesday
20
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
0
1
1
0
2
0
0
3
0
0
2
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1
E
1.4
E
1.4
E
1.3
E
1.8
S
2
S
1.4
SSE
1.3
SSE
1.3
SSE
0.9
E
0.8
E
0.9
E
1
E
1.8
SSW
1.5
SSW
1.1
SSW
1.1
SSW
0.9
SSW
0.7
E
0.7
E
1.4
S
Period(s) (?)888107118871010101081112121010107
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)1432792603202899662101861641461401652004575123493491739496210
Wind
(km/h)
25
E
25
ENE
30
SW
25
SSW
25
SSE
15
SSE
10
ESE
15
E
10
ENE
15
NE
20
E
10
WSW
30
SW
30
SW
10
WNW
15
SSE
15
ESE
5
W
20
SSW
15
SSW
5
S
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
cross-
on
crosscrosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
cross-
off
crosscrosscross-
off
ononglasscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
1:20PM
1.16
2:03AM
1.10
2:10PM
1.25
2:44AM
1.21
2:49PM
1.35
3:17AM
1.32
3:22PM
1.44
3:49AM
1.42
3:53PM
1.51
4:19AM
1.50
4:23PM
1.55
4:48AM
1.57
4:52PM
1.57
Low Tide
/ height (m)
7:52PM
0.52
7:55AM
0.55
8:33PM
0.41
8:39AM
0.45
9:07PM
0.30
9:14AM
0.35
9:37PM
0.21
9:47AM
0.28
10:06PM
0.13
10:18AM
0.22
10:35PM
0.07
10:49AM
0.18
11:03PM
0.04
Wednesday
14
Thursday
15
Friday
16
Saturday
17
Sunday
18
Monday
19
Tuesday
20
Sunrise5:13--5:13--5:15--5:15--5:16--5:16--5:18--
Sunset-7:19--7:19--7:17--7:17--7:17--7:16--7:16-
clear
clear
light rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
cloud
cloud
part cloud
light rain
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
rain showers
Rain (mm)
--121311---4--------2
Temp. °C293025262520202020212422232221232321242421
Feels °C (?)282928232318202020222325191717222121212222
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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 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 12 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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