Whale Rock Surf Break

Lat Long: 31.94° S 29.22° E

Whale Rock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 12 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whale Rock sea temperature is
21.4° C
0.6° 

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 12 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 14 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 9s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 14s period, S swell with 1,968 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 13 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 7s 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 Monday (Jul 13) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 1.5m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 1.0m and 11s 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 2.2m 14s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.2m 8s period and expected on Monday (Jul 13) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Mon 13th Jul)6ft (1.8m) 7s
Best Surf 5AM (Tue 14th Jul)8ft (2.5m) 9s
Most Powerful 8AM (Sat 18th Jul)7ft (2.2m) 14s

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


Alright, Rusty here. Let's break down what’s going on at Whale Rock.

First off, the start of this run is a bit of a letdown. Monday's a write-off with a messy cross-onshore breeze and marginal conditions. The water temp is nothing special for this time of year, just your average July reading.

But hang tight, because Tuesday the 14th is where it gets interesting. We’ve got a clean 7ft swell rolling in from the east, and the wind is set to go glass in the morning. That’s the kind of start that gets a guy out of bed early. The wave energy is moderate (712) and it’s a solid offering for experienced surfers. This is the standout session of the first week. Just keep in mind the optimum swell direction is from the south, so this east swell might wrap in a little tricky.

The rest of the week is touch and go. Wednesday and Thursday are messy with cross-shore winds, and the swell drops off. By Friday, the wind is howling, and conditions are poor. Saturday the 18th brings a bigger pulse (7ft) from the south, but the wind is cross-onshore and choppy, so it’s not a winner. A solid south groundswell arrives on the 22nd and 23rd, with energy jumping over 1500 (strong), but the wind stays cross-shore, messing with the shape. That’s a pattern for you – potential, but not clean.

Now, hold onto your board. Sunday the 26th morning is another absolute gem. The wind goes glass again, and we get chest-high 4ft swell from the south-southwest. It’s clean, it’s fun, and the energy is moderate (808). That’s your second standout – a glassy, clean session. The afternoon on the same day though, the swell jumps to 12ft – that is serious size (3744 energy) – but the wind turns to a choppy cross-onshore. That one is for experts only, and even then, it’s messy.

The back half of the outlook sees the swell holding in the 5ft to 8ft range through to the end, but the wind is mostly a problem. It’s a reef break known for being inconsistent, and that holds true here. You’re hunting for those brief windows of glass. For the most part, it’s a waiting game with a couple of killer mornings.

The bottom line: the best bet is Tuesday the 14th morning for the glass and chest-high east swell, and Sunday the 26th morning for another glassy, clean South swell. Mark those dates.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 20°C on Mon afternoon, min 15°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 21°C on Thu afternoon, min 15°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Fri afternoon, calm by Sat morning).

Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sun
19
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
3
1
0
2
3
2
3
2
2
2
1
0
2
0
0
2
2
2
1
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.8
E
7
1.6
ESE
8
1.8
E
8
1.2
SE
9
2
E
9
1.9
E
9
1.8
E
10
1.7
E
10
1.6
E
10
1.4
E
10
1.4
E
10
1.3
E
10
1.3
E
10
1.1
E
10
1.2
SSW
14
1.7
SSW
15
2.2
S
14
2
S
13
1.6
S
12
1.4
S
11
1.3
SSE
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
297
300
367
221
642
599
585
544
494
386
386
340
333
234
594
1275
1891
1305
678
475
400
Wind (km/h)
10
N
10
NE
25
NE
10
NNW
5
S
5
E
5
WNW
15
SSW
10
SSW
10
WNW
10
NE
20
NE
20
WSW
25
SW
40
SSW
20
SSW
15
ENE
25
NE
30
NNE
20
NE
30
NE
Wind State
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
off
cross
cross
off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
High Tide
2:41AM1.54m
3:13PM1.49m
3:30AM1.62m
3:59PM1.61m
4:14AM1.65m
4:42PM1.68m
4:55AM1.65m
5:23PM1.71m
5:33AM1.60m
6:02PM1.69m
6:10AM1.52m
6:40PM1.62m
6:47AM1.42m
7:18PM1.51m
Low Tide
8:22PM0.30m
9:00AM0.17m
9:16PM0.19m
9:45AM0.08m
10:04PM0.13m
10:26AM0.02m
10:48PM0.10m
11:05AM0.00m
11:30PM0.13m
11:42AM0.03m
00:10AM0.19m
12:17PM0.09m
00:48AM0.28m
12:52PM0.20m
thunderstorm
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
light rain
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:01
7:01
7:01
7:01
7:01
7:00
7:00
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:14
5:15
5:15
5:15
5:16
5:16
5:17
5:17
 mm
2
3
1
Temp °C
18
17
20
18
19
20
18
20
20
18
18
21
20
20
21
18
16
16
16
18
22
Feels °C
16
15
18
16
18
19
17
16
17
18
16
18
17
15
14
13
15
13
12
15
18
  • 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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