The Wreck surfForecast / Garden Route / South Africa

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 1 pm Friday 16 Jan 2026 SAST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
The Wreck surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's The Wreck sea temperature is
22.6° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for The Wreck this week:

The surf forecast for The Wreck over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Jan 16) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at The Wreck in the next 12 days are 3.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jan 18) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Jan 17) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Fri 16th Jan)4.5ft (1.4m) 10s
Best Surf 8AM (Sun 18th Jan)10ft (3.0m) 11s
Most Powerful 2PM (Sun 18th Jan)11ft (3.5m) 12s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Wreck over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 22°C on Fri afternoon, min 18°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 22°C on Thu morning, min 17°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Fri
16
Saturday
17
Sunday
18
Monday
19
Tuesday
20
Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
1
2
3
3
4
4
3
3
2
1
1
0
0
0
2
2
2
3
3
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.4
SW
1.1
SW
0.9
SSW
1.3
SW
2.4
SW
3.5
SW
3
SW
3
SW
2.3
SW
2.1
SW
1.8
SW
1.9
SSW
1.9
SSW
2
SSW
1.9
SSW
1.6
SW
1.4
SW
1.5
SW
1.5
SSW
2.1
SSW
2.3
SSW
Period(s) (?)1010910101212121211111010910111111131413
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)40423013032710482915283121601474100871667065567271755145554479618741834
Wind
(km/h)
10
S
10
WNW
10
SW
15
SW
25
W
25
WSW
20
SW
5
W
15
SSW
15
SSW
15
W
15
S
15
SSE
10
E
15
ESE
25
ESE
5
E
10
S
10
S
10
WNW
10
SW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
offcross-
off
offoffoffoffcross-
off
cross-
off
offcross-
off
crossoncross-
on
cross-
on
glasscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
2:42PM
1.45
3:11AM
1.43
3:16PM
1.54
3:42AM
1.54
3:47PM
1.61
4:12AM
1.62
4:17PM
1.66
4:42AM
1.69
4:47PM
1.68
5:12AM
1.73
5:17PM
1.66
5:43AM
1.74
5:50PM
1.61
6:15AM
1.72
Low Tide
/ height (m)
9:02PM
0.31
9:11AM
0.38
9:33PM
0.21
9:43AM
0.29
10:01PM
0.13
10:15AM
0.23
10:29PM
0.08
10:46AM
0.19
10:58PM
0.05
11:17AM
0.18
11:27PM
0.06
11:51AM
0.19
11:57PM
0.10
12:26PM
0.23
Fri
16
Saturday
17
Sunday
18
Monday
19
Tuesday
20
Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
Sunrise--5:31--5:33--5:33--5:33--5:35--5:35--5:37
Sunset7:39--7:39--7:39--7:38--7:38--7:37--7:37--
part cloud
clear
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
light rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
----31----11---------
Temp. °C222020212020201921201920202021211922222022
Feels °C (?)222120201815151618181717181718171621212121
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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 The Wreck Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for The Wreck provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 12 days. A general guide to surfing at The Wreck can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our The Wreck 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 (The Wreck) 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 The Wreck 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.

The Wreck is 5 km (3 miles) from the city of Plettenberg Bay. If you plan a holiday in Garden Route, look for hotels and other accommodation in Plettenberg Bay. Plettenberg Bay has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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