Surf Forecasts:
Whale Rock surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 15s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 22 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, SSW swell with 3,460 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 2AM (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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Whale Rock in the next 16 days are 4.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whale Rock over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a good look at what’s on the menu for Whale Rock over the next couple of weeks.
First things first, the water temp is sitting pretty average for this time of year, nothing wild going on there. So you know what to expect when you jump in.
Now, I’ll be straight with you – the start of this period is a bit of a write-off. The first few days have swell, but the wind is just messing it up, making everything choppy and crumbly. We’ve got moderate cross-shore and cross-onshore winds blowing through Wednesday (19th) and Thursday (20th), so the wave quality is poor. You won’t see me out there.
Things start to look a bit more promising towards the end of the week, but still not magic. Friday (21st) is another washout with onshore winds, and Saturday (22nd) is a no-go. That Saturday morning the wind is howling from the SSW at 35 km/h, and it gets even stronger in the afternoon hitting 40 km/h with a raw 4.0m swell on a short 9-second period. That’s a lot of chaotic, lumpy water – more for the kite crew than a paddle surfer.
There’s a gap of a few days there where the conditions are just not worth it. But hold on, because we’ve got a real standout coming up. Monday, 24th August, is the one to circle. The morning brings a clean 1.5m S swell with a nice 15-second period and glassy conditions – zero wind, just clean lines. The afternoon holds up too with 1.3m waves, still glassy. This is an advanced spot, and it can be inconsistent and get a crowd sometimes, but when it’s this clean with a solid groundswell, it’s a beauty. The combined energy is moderate (978), so there’s some good push behind it. Get on it.
Tuesday (25th) afternoon also looks tidy with another glassy period, 1.3m of SSW swell, and the energy is still decent (710). That’s a solid option if you missed Monday.
After that, we’ve got a bit of a mixed bag. Thursday (27th) afternoon shows some promise with 1.3m S swell and a light cross-offshore wind, making it clean. Then we’ve got a big one on the horizon. Sunday, 30th August, is a real standout for the experienced crew. The morning session is looking incredible – a solid 2.2m SSW swell with a 15-second period and glassy conditions. The energy is strong (2053), this is serious, powerful groundswell. It’s a long-period pulse, so it’ll be best at the reef, but it’s only for the experts. The wind is dead calm, so it will be absolutely pristine.
The following week drops off significantly. Swell fades to small, weak stuff with only 0.4m by Wednesday, 2nd September, and the energy is gone (under 100). Not much to get excited about there.
So, to sum it up: Monday, 24th August is your best bet for a fun, user-friendly day, and Sunday, 30th August is the big prize for the advanced crew if you can handle a serious swell.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Wed afternoon, min 15°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, fresh winds from the SW by Wed night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sat morning, min 15°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Sat afternoon, calm by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 9 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | S 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
257 | 440 | 425 | 313 | 496 | 1571 | 1454 | 623 | 452 | 308 | 498 | 2431 | 1796 | 1150 | 1281 | 1842 | 978 | 775 | 849 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:06AM1.24m | 7:29PM1.27m | 7:37AM1.10m | 8:07PM1.12m | 8:30AM0.96m | 9:52PM0.99m | 12:26PM0.93m | 00:56AM1.04m | 1:47PM1.06m | 1:52AM1.18m | 2:23PM1.22m | 2:26AM1.31m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:08AM0.42m | 1:10PM0.43m | 1:42AM0.55m | 1:43PM0.58m | 2:33AM0.68m | 2:43PM0.72m | 5:18AM0.75m | 6:19PM0.76m | 7:33AM0.63m | 7:45PM0.63m | 8:11AM0.49m | 8:22PM0.50m | |||||||
— | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | |
5:37 | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 20 | 23 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 23 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 18 |
Feels °C | 19 | 18 | 20 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | ENE 6 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | S 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 |
133 | 440 | 425 | 313 | 259 | 1571 | 1454 | 623 | 452 | 125 | 155 | 58 | 13 | 1150 | 1281 | 1842 | 978 | 775 | 849 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 8 | SW 13 | E 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | SSW 12 | — | — | — | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 |
257 | 101 | 74 | 87 | 164 | 34 | 22 | 12 | 12 | 308 | — | — | — | 13 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 8 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | — | — | — | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | — |
37 | — | — | — | 33 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 18 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ENE 9 | ENE 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 8 | — | — | — | NE 3 | NE 6 | SSW 13 | SSW 9 | SSW 11 | — | — | NE 7 | — | — | — |
— | 169 | 128 | 265 | 496 | — | — | — | 4 | 269 | 498 | 2431 | 1796 | — | — | 7 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 186 | 113 | 398 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 43 | 289 | 0 | 163 | 500 | 1 | 6 | 39 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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.











