Surf Forecasts:
Rock Wave surf forecast from 16 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 10s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 15s period, SSW swell with 2,140 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 16 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 13s 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 Thursday (Jul 16) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Rock Wave in the next 16 days are 2.2m 15s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) 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 0.7m 9s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Thu 16th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rock Wave over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let's talk about this stretch.
For Rock Wave, things start off real average on Thursday the 16th of July. You got a 4ft swell coming out of the east with an 11-second period, so the energy is moderate (640). The wind is side-shore from the SSW, so there is some chop. That water is sitting at 63°F, which is about 5°F colder than normal – colder than usual for the season, so bring the rubber.
Friday sees a 5ft SSW swell on the afternoon with a 12-second period (680 energy), but the wind is still side-shore. Nothing special.
Saturday the 18th of July steps it up a notch. The afternoon has a 6ft SSW swell, 10-second period, and the combined energy jumps to 1313—that’s moderate to strong energy. The wind is light side-shore, so it's not perfect.
Now, Sunday the 19th of July is our first real gem. The morning is dead calm--glassy. We have a 5ft south swell, 10-second period. The water is flat calm. The energy is moderate at 575, but with glassy conditions, it’s the best bet for the first few days. Crowds are possible. Beginners can handle this size.
Monday the 20th morning is another standout: glassy again, 5ft SSW swell at 12 seconds, with a solid 1260 combined energy. That is proper. It’s excellent for experienced surfers.
Tuesday the 21st morning offers clean cross-off winds from the NNE with a 4ft SE swell at 12 seconds. The afternoon goes glassy with a 4ft swell. Smaller, but clean.
Wednesday the 22nd of July brings a 6ft SSW swell at 14 seconds, strong energy (1372), but the wind is 12 mph side-shore, so it gets choppy.
Thursday the 23rd of July is a highlight: 7ft SSW swell, 15-second period in the morning, and the combined energy is 2183 – strong. The wind is a light cross from the SW. This is a long-period groundswell, so expect power, but also longer lulls. It’s for experts only at this size, but the reef will handle it.
Saturday the 25th of July morning is another standout: clean cross-off wind from the NNE, a 5ft SSW swell with a 19-second period, and very strong energy at 2376. This is a serious groundswell. Only for experts.
After that, it tapers off. The 26th has 5ft, but the winds are side-shore, so it’s not great. From the 27th onward, we get small, choppy, weak swell. The 29th offers a tiny clean window with a 3ft SSW swell and offshore wind, but it’s small.
From the 30th of July to the end, the swell barely reaches 2ft to 4ft with strong winds and chop. A quiet finish.
Best bets: Monday the 20th morning for clean chest-high waves, and Thursday the 23rd of July morning for the powerful, bigger groundswell. Saturday the 25th of July morning is also a solid call for experts.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | S 12 | SSW 10 | S 11 | S 10 | SSE 9 | SE 12 | SSW 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 329 | 267 | 292 | 269 | 521 | 256 | 469 | 749 | 723 | 441 | 274 | 463 | 718 | 565 | 555 | 450 | 403 | 490 | 732 | 1249 | 801 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:23PM1.67m | 5:33AM1.56m | 6:02PM1.65m | 6:10AM1.47m | 6:40PM1.58m | 6:47AM1.37m | 7:18PM1.48m | 7:24AM1.25m | 7:57PM1.36m | 8:06AM1.13m | 8:42PM1.23m | 9:00AM1.03m | 9:46PM1.13m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:05AM0.00m | 11:30PM0.13m | 11:42AM0.03m | 00:11AM0.19m | 12:17PM0.10m | 00:50AM0.28m | 12:52PM0.20m | 1:29AM0.38m | 1:28PM0.32m | 2:11AM0.48m | 2:08PM0.45m | 3:03AM0.57m | 3:00PM0.58m | 4:20AM0.64m | |||||||
 | |  |  | |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — |
 | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 20 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 19 | 21 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 23 | 27 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 17 |
Feels °C | 18 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 20 | 24 | 18 | 14 | 17 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSE 9 | SE 12 | SSW 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 329 | 267 | 200 | 159 | 521 | 256 | 469 | 465 | 723 | 441 | 274 | 463 | 718 | 565 | 555 | 450 | 403 | 490 | 732 | 1249 | 801 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SSW 10 | SE 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | ENE 9 | SSW 15 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 |
| kJ | 183 | 261 | 292 | 269 | 159 | 125 | 94 | 94 | 69 | 87 | 199 | 312 | 511 | 401 | 198 | 80 | 300 | 293 | 150 | 123 | 79 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSW 9 | S 10 | — | — | SSE 14 | E 10 | S 16 | E 10 | E 10 | S 10 | S 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 5 | SSW 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SSW 6 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 |
| kJ | 128 | 88 | 2 | — | — | 69 | 127 | 5 | 96 | 47 | 69 | 74 | 31 | 31 | 21 | 76 | 80 | 44 | 34 | 25 | 15 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 10 | — | — | SW 9 | — | — | ENE 4 | — | — | — | W 3 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 749 | — | — | 73 | — | — | 8 | — | — | — | 7 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 257 | 147 | 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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