Whale Rock Surf Break

Lat Long: 31.94° S 29.22° E

Whale Rock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 06 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whale Rock sea temperature is
21.3° C
0.9° 

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 6 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 12 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 12s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 10 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, SSE swell with 2,223 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 7 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 13s 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 Friday (Aug 07) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 10s. 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 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 10) 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 1.4m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 06) at 8AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8AM (Fri 7th Aug)3.5ft (1.1m) 13s
Best Surf 5AM (Wed 12th Aug)4.5ft (1.4m) 12s
Most Powerful 2PM (Mon 10th Aug)11ft (3.5m) 10s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s get into it. Whale Rock is a tricky one. It's an advanced reef break, inconsistent, and it needs the stars to line up. Right now, there's a big gap at the start of the forecast with nothing worthwhile. The first real chance of a decent wave doesn't come around until the morning of Wednesday, 12th August.

The best surf on offer is shaping up for the morning of Sunday, 16th August. That's the standout. You’ll see a clean 5ft swell from the east with a period of 11 seconds, and the wind is glassy. That’s a major positive. The water is sitting at 70°, which is about average for this time of year. The combined swell energy is moderate at 538. It’s a reef break, so that long period energy will wrap in nicely, but keep in mind it’s an advanced wave and it’s inconsistent, so you’ll need to be patient. Crowds are possible, so don't expect to have it to yourself.

Before that, the morning of Wednesday, 12th August is also worth a look. The swell is 5ft from the southeast with a short period of 8 seconds, but the wind is glassy again. The combined energy is moderate (582). It’s a more local wind swell, but those glassy conditions will make it rideable. It’s a good option for the daring surfer, but it’s not the best of the run.

The rest of the period is a write-off. Most days are plagued by cross-shore or cross-onshore winds, choppy conditions, and poor surf. The afternoon of Sunday, 9th August sees a 8ft swell (combined energy 826) but it’s blowing a near gale and the period is a short, weak 7 seconds. That’s a messy, blown-out mess. It’s more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. The bigger swells around the 10th and 11th are also messy with cross-shore chop and won't deliver clean waves.

The long-range stuff around the 18th and 19th is small and mostly onshore. Nothing to get excited about.

So, to sum it up: the morning of Sunday, 16th August is your best bet. The morning of Wednesday, 12th August is a solid backup if you’re keen for a paddle. The rest? Leave it.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 24°C on Sat afternoon, min 15°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Thu morning, light winds from the S by Thu night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 47mm), heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SSW on Sun afternoon, calm by Tue night).

Thursday
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
2
2
0
1
2
0
2
1
0
0
1
1
3
2
1
3
3
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
SW
16
0.7
SSW
15
1.3
SSW
13
0.9
SSW
13
0.9
SSW
12
0.9
SSW
17
1
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
15
2.5
SSW
7
2.5
SSW
8
3
SSE
9
2.5
SSE
9
1.4
SSW
11
1.7
SSW
14
1.8
SSW
13
1.8
SE
8
1.4
SE
8
1.3
SE
8
1.5
ESE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
251
191
595
294
210
475
461
362
250
372
736
827
1696
1177
444
1095
1025
418
270
224
293
Wind (km/h)
25
SW
20
S
5
S
15
SW
10
ENE
25
NNE
10
NE
20
SSW
15
SW
25
SW
55
SSW
40
SSW
30
SSW
25
SSW
20
SW
20
S
20
SSE
0
NE
5
NW
20
ENE
15
N
Wind State
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
glassy
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
8:10AM1.18m
8:54PM1.28m
9:33AM1.06m
10:39PM1.20m
11:51AM1.05m
00:36AM1.24m
1:28PM1.20m
1:50AM1.37m
2:25PM1.38m
2:42AM1.50m
3:10PM1.55m
3:24AM1.61m
3:49PM1.69m
4:02AM1.67m
Low Tide
2:18PM0.45m
3:27AM0.56m
3:43PM0.57m
5:27AM0.59m
5:54PM0.59m
7:11AM0.48m
7:30PM0.46m
8:12AM0.32m
8:30PM0.31m
8:57AM0.17m
9:17PM0.18m
9:35AM0.05m
9:57PM0.08m
clear
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
light rain
heavy rain
mod rain
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:48
6:47
6:46
6:45
6:43
6:43
6:43
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:30
5:30
5:30
5:30
5:31
5:32
5:32
 mm
3
2
2
21
6
2
8
3
2
3
2
Temp °C
19
20
19
18
18
18
23
24
19
17
19
15
14
16
14
15
15
15
15
16
15
Feels °C
16
16
18
17
17
16
22
23
18
15
14
7
6
8
9
11
11
12
14
12
11
  • 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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