Surf Forecasts:
Whale Rock surf forecast from 13 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 13 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 9s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 11s period, E swell with 733 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 9s period with E 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 Thursday (Aug 13) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 1.3m and 9s is also forecast. 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 11s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) 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 2.5m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whale Rock over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s talk about Whale Rock in feet and miles per hour.
Honestly, it’s a bleak run for the first week plus. Whale Rock is an exposed reef, and it just gets hammered by onshore winds that mess up every wave. There’s nothing worth paddling out for from Thursday the 13th right through to the following Wednesday. The wave energy is there in the background, but the wind chop makes it a total mess. It’s a bust for anyone on a paddle board.
The first real crack at something decent doesn’t show up until the afternoon of Saturday the 22nd of August. We’ve got a big 10ft swell from the SSW with a moderate cross-shore wind and the combined energy pumping at 1496. That’s serious size, and with some cross-chop in the water, it’s strictly for experts. This sets up a best-case scenario on the morning of Sunday the 23rd. That morning looks clean with a 8ft SSW swell, a cross-offshore wind out of the WSW, and a combined energy reading of 2780 – huge power. The wave state is "clean," which is the best sign we’ve had all outlook. The 10-second period will give it some real push and line, but at that size, it’s a fast, heavy reef wave. The direction is textbook for the spot. This Sunday morning is the one and only standout in the 16 days, but it’s a proper one if you’ve got the skills. Water temp will be about normal for the season, sitting around 70°F.
After that, the 26th of August shows another 8ft from the east, but the wind turns cross-shore with a slight chop, so the quality isn’t as good.
So, if you’re and expert, mark your calendar for the morning of the 23rd of August. The rest of the window looks like a lot of waiting.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sat morning, min 14°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NE on Fri afternoon, light winds from the N by Sat morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Tue morning, min 16°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, fresh winds from the SW by Tue night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | SSW 21 | SSW 18 | E 7 | SW 16 | E 7 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | S 10 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | SSW 15 | SSW 6 | SSW 8 | SSW 5 | S 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 332 | 346 | 280 | 195 | 64 | 233 | 174 | 394 | 524 | 663 | 11 | 7 | 13 | 392 | 279 | 217 | 23 | 82 | 228 | 121 | 286 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 4:26PM1.78m | 4:36AM1.68m | 5:00PM1.80m | 5:09AM1.65m | 5:32PM1.77m | 5:40AM1.59m | 6:02PM1.69m | 6:09AM1.49m | 6:31PM1.56m | 6:38AM1.37m | 6:59PM1.42m | 7:06AM1.24m | 7:29PM1.27m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:10AM-0.03m | 10:33PM0.04m | 10:42AM-0.06m | 11:07PM0.05m | 11:14AM-0.03m | 11:39PM0.10m | 11:43AM0.04m | 00:10AM0.19m | 12:12PM0.15m | 00:39AM0.29m | 12:41PM0.28m | 1:08AM0.42m | 1:10PM0.43m | 1:42AM0.55m | |||||||
 | |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |  | | |  |  | |
 | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — |
 | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 11 |
Temp °C | 17 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 21 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 21 | 23 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 26 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 16 |
Feels °C | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 20 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 24 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | E 10 | SW 16 | E 7 | E 7 | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | S 10 | ENE 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 8 |
| kJ | 245 | 49 | 120 | 100 | 64 | 233 | 147 | 394 | 524 | 663 | 8 | 778 | 506 | 392 | 279 | 217 | 169 | 129 | 79 | 56 | 36 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SSW 21 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | S 9 | E 10 | E 10 | SW 14 | S 12 | S 11 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 14 | SW 11 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | NE 7 | — |
| kJ | 55 | 346 | 280 | 103 | 6 | 77 | 174 | 8 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 13 | 11 | 29 | 18 | 23 | 30 | 18 | 2 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | S 9 | S 9 | — | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | S 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 17 | S 10 | S 10 | SW 15 | SSW 4 | SSW 16 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 176 | 175 | 16 | 6 | — | 22 | 20 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 2 | 24 | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 6 | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | — | — | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 11 | ENE 8 | SSW 3 | SSW 5 | — | — | SSW 4 | SSW 6 | SSW 8 | SSW 5 | S 7 |
| kJ | 332 | 318 | 79 | 195 | 385 | 339 | — | — | 200 | 153 | 911 | 620 | 5 | 17 | — | — | 35 | 82 | 228 | 121 | 286 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 187 | 289 | 37 | 221 | 418 | 16 | 43 | 21 | 0 | 221 | 289 | 3 | 23 | 1 | 16 | 3 | 190 | 1 | 39 | 434 | 182 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape - Wild Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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