Whale Rock Surf Break

Lat Long: 31.94° S 29.22° E

Whale Rock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 27 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whale Rock sea temperature is
21.8° C
1.1° 

Whale Rock surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Whale Rock surf forecast from 27 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 28 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 17s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 27 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 13s period, SSW swell with 922 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 27 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 14s period with SSW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Whale Rock this week:

The surf forecast for Whale Rock over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 27) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 14s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Whale Rock in the next 16 days are 1.7m 13s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 27) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.3m 9s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 02) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8AM (Mon 27th Jul)2.5ft (0.8m) 14s
Best Surf 2AM (Tue 28th Jul)4ft (1.2m) 17s
Most Powerful 2PM (Mon 27th Jul)5.5ft (1.7m) 13s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whale Rock over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s get into it. The surf window opens up on Monday the 27th of July at Whale Rock, but honestly, it’s a rough start. The conditions are poor with a fresh cross-shore wind and lumpy cross-chop, so I’d give the first few days a miss. Swell is there but the wind is ruining it.

By Tuesday the 28th, we’ve got a bigger swell pushing in, but it’s still cross-onshore and messy. The combined energy jumps up to 1268, which is strong, but the period is short and the wind is all wrong. Not worth paddling out.

Now, Wednesday the 29th of July is where it gets interesting. The morning turns glassy – wind drops to zero, and we’ve got a clean 3ft SSW groundswell with a long 14-second period. Combined energy is 834, so there’s decent power. That’s going to be clean and well-shaped, but because it’s a reef break and the swell is from the south, the optimum direction for Whale Rock is from the south – so that’s a good match. This is a standout window. The afternoon cleans up even more with a light offshore breeze and a 4ft east swell. If you’re an experienced surfer, Wednesday morning is your best bet.

Thursday the 30th still has clean conditions in the morning, with a 6ft SE swell and cross-off wind, but it’s a bit more marginal. The energy is strong at 1051, but the quality isn’t as good as Wednesday.

Friday the 31st and Saturday the 1st of August both have some glassy moments, especially Saturday morning with no wind and a 4ft east swell. Good for a fun session, but not as powerful as Wednesday.

From Sunday the 2nd of August onward, things get messy again. The wind picks up onshore and stays that way for several days, and the swell drops off. There’s a long gap of poor conditions until Thursday the 6th, when the swell gets tiny – only 2ft – and the wind is still cross or cross-onshore. Not worth it.

Midweek of the second week, around Monday the 10th of August, we see a moderate SSW swell with a very long 15-second period, and combined energy of 1121. Winds are light, but it’s cross-shore, so it’s not perfect. Still, for a reef break like Whale Rock, that long period groundswell will wrap in nicely. It’s a promising option, but it’s a week and a half out, so treat it as a hopeful maybe.

Overall, the clear standout is Wednesday the 29th of July, morning session. Glassy, clean, solid groundswell – that’s the one to circle.

Water temperature is 71°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you can leave the thick rubber at home.

Whale Rock is an advanced reef break, and it’s inconsistent, so don’t expect waves every day. Crowds are possible, but with the conditions being what they are, it might be quieter than usual.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 71mm), heaviest during Tue morning. Warm (max 22°C on Mon morning, min 14°C on Tue afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Mon afternoon, calm by Wed morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
4
0
2
4
3
3
4
3
1
2
1
1
2
3
1
3
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SSW
13
1.9
SSW
6
1.2
SSW
17
1.1
SSW
16
2.4
SSE
8
1.1
SSW
14
1
SSW
14
1.2
E
9
1.9
SE
9
1.9
SE
9
1.8
SE
9
1.6
SE
9
1.8
SE
8
1.8
SE
8
1.7
ESE
8
1.1
E
9
1.9
E
8
1.7
E
8
1.5
E
8
1.9
E
9
1.9
E
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
257
309
867
626
745
515
419
246
537
612
515
379
403
439
390
210
493
381
304
562
614
Wind (km/h)
30
SSW
35
SSW
15
SW
30
SSE
10
SSE
0
ENE
0
SW
5
W
15
W
15
SW
20
SSW
15
WSW
20
SSW
10
S
10
WNW
0
N
10
E
15
N
20
NE
25
ENE
15
NNE
Wind State
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
glassy
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
3:07PM1.32m
3:13AM1.42m
3:38PM1.42m
3:43AM1.50m
4:08PM1.52m
4:12AM1.56m
4:36PM1.59m
4:40AM1.59m
5:04PM1.64m
5:09AM1.59m
5:33PM1.66m
5:38AM1.57m
6:02PM1.65m
Low Tide
8:55AM0.36m
9:05PM0.39m
9:26AM0.26m
9:37PM0.31m
9:55AM0.17m
10:08PM0.24m
10:22AM0.10m
10:37PM0.19m
10:49AM0.06m
11:07PM0.17m
11:17AM0.05m
11:37PM0.17m
11:45AM0.07m
00:09AM0.20m
clear
part cloud
rain showers
heavy rain
mod rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:54
6:54
6:54
6:52
6:52
6:52
6:50
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:22
5:23
5:23
5:24
5:25
5:25
5:27
 mm
5
27
8
13
13
3
2
Temp °C
22
20
19
16
15
15
14
15
15
17
18
17
18
18
17
17
17
16
16
19
17
Feels °C
16
14
16
14
11
13
13
14
13
14
15
13
14
14
16
16
15
14
12
14
13
  • 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 Whale Rock Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Whale Rock provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Whale Rock can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Whale Rock 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 (Whale Rock) 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 Whale Rock 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.

Whale Rock is 47 km (29 miles) from the city of Port Saint Johns. If you plan a holiday in Eastern Cape - Wild Coast, look for hotels and other accommodation in Port Saint Johns. Port Saint Johns has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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