Surf Forecasts:
The Wreck surf forecast from 13 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 15 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 16 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SW swell with 3,495 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 13 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 10s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for The Wreck this week:
The surf forecast for The Wreck over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 13) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 1.4m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at The Wreck in the next 16 days are 3.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 16) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5PM (Mon 13th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Thu 16th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Wreck over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down the next couple of weeks. We’ve got a slow start, but the real fireworks are in the second week if you’ve got the patience.
For the first few days, The Wreck is a mixed bag. Monday the 13th sees a small, clean 3.6ft SSW swell with glassy conditions, but it’s only pushing moderate energy (442). It’s a start. Tuesday the 14th and Wednesday the 15th keep things tidy with clean 4.9ft to 5.9ft ESE swells under offshore winds, though the energy is still moderate. Wednesday afternoon actually looks pretty nice with a solid 5.9ft SW groundswell (11-second period) and a jump in energy to 1349, with a cross-offshore breeze keeping it clean. That’s a decent session.
Then things get real. Thursday the 16th brings a big 9.8ft SW groundswell in the morning, but it’s onshore wind, so forget it. The afternoon, however, is a standout for the first week: glassy conditions, 7.9ft SW groundswell (13 seconds), and energy surging to 2111. That’s proper for experienced surfers only—over 8ft, so keep the beginners on the beach. Friday the 17th keeps the quality high with 6.9ft to 7.9ft SW groundswell under offshore winds and strong energy (1334 to 1696). The Wreck is working.
We hit a flat spot on Saturday the 18th—cross-onshore winds and 6.6ft to 7.2ft S swell, just a mess. The chop is a no-go. Sunday the 19th bounces back nicely with clean 4.6ft to 5.2ft SW groundswell and offshore winds, energy around 1030 to 1136. That’s a nice, mellow session.
Now, the real standout window. Monday the 20th is a bit marginal with cross-onshore winds, but hold on. Tuesday the 21st is a gem: glassy morning, a massive 6.9ft SSW groundswell with a very long 16-second period, energy at 2812. That’s a groundswell that will groove at The Wreck (it’s sheltered). The afternoon gets even bigger with a 9.8ft SSW groundswell (15 seconds) and energy at 3732, though the wind is cross-offshore. This is for experts only. Wednesday the 22nd morning is still clean with 8.2ft SW groundswell (14 seconds) and energy at 2999. The afternoon gets a bit messy with cross-onshore winds, but the size is 11.5ft.
The biggest swell of the run hits Thursday the 23rd: 14.8ft SW groundswell (14 seconds) in the morning, energy at 7282. That’s a beast. The wind is cross-shore, so it’s a bit tricky, but if you’re a seasoned charger, it’s on. The afternoon is a bit choppy. Friday the 24th afternoon is a great clean-up: 5.2ft SW groundswell (13 seconds) with offshore winds, energy at 2190. Saturday the 25th is glassy in the morning with 7.2ft SW groundswell (14 seconds) and energy at 2072—another top-tier session. The rest of the week holds good energy but gets a bit more cross-onshore.
Overall, the absolute best of the run is Tuesday the 21st morning through Wednesday the 22nd morning, and then Saturday the 25th morning. The Wreck is a fairly consistent spot, and crowds are possible, so get in early. The water temp is about 62.4°F, which is a touch cooler than average for this time of year (anomaly of -1.3°F)—nothing crazy, but you’ll want a spring suit.
Stay stoked, and don’t sleep on that second week.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon afternoon, min 14°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sun morning, min 14°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mon 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SW 11 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 232 | 378 | 320 | 344 | 240 | 207 | 770 | 3491 | 2967 | 2005 | 1279 | 1255 | 1546 | 1094 | 1462 | 1151 | 734 | 623 | 718 | 969 | 745 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | glassy | on | glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | off | off | cross-off | cross-on |
High Tide | 3:08PM1.61m | 3:24AM1.73m | 3:54PM1.72m | 4:09AM1.75m | 4:37PM1.79m | 4:51AM1.73m | 5:18PM1.80m | 5:31AM1.66m | 5:58PM1.77m | 6:09AM1.56m | 6:37PM1.69m | 6:47AM1.44m | 7:16PM1.57m | 7:27AM1.31m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:15PM0.19m | 9:42AM0.05m | 10:03PM0.12m | 10:24AM0.00m | 10:48PM0.09m | 11:03AM0.00m | 11:31PM0.12m | 11:41AM0.05m | 00:12AM0.19m | 12:17PM0.14m | 00:52AM0.29m | 12:52PM0.26m | 1:32AM0.41m | 1:29PM0.39m | |||||||
 |  | | |  | | | | |  | |  | |  | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 |
 | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | 5:37 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 21 | 20 | 15 | 15 |
Feels °C | 17 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 17 | 19 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 13 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SW 11 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 |
| kJ | 199 | 378 | 320 | 344 | 240 | 207 | 770 | 3491 | 2967 | 2005 | 1279 | 1255 | 1546 | 1094 | 1462 | 1151 | 734 | 623 | 718 | 969 | 745 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | SW 13 | SW 6 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | SW 11 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 |
| kJ | 232 | 127 | 83 | 58 | 56 | 72 | 145 | 92 | 98 | 106 | 110 | 79 | 76 | 558 | 74 | 68 | 75 | 331 | 345 | 154 | 81 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SW 9 | SW 12 | SW 17 | E 10 | — | — | — | — | S 15 | — | SW 10 | SW 10 | WSW 9 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | SE 12 |
| kJ | 11 | 44 | 28 | 27 | 21 | 53 | 434 | 121 | — | — | — | — | 74 | — | 200 | 115 | 56 | 76 | 73 | 25 | 52 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | WSW 3 | SW 4 | SW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 10 | E 6 | — | W 3 | WSW 4 | WSW 5 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 4 | 9 | 116 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 202 | 212 | — | 4 | 23 | 42 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 56 | 56 | 56 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Garden Route | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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 16 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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