Surf Forecasts:
Whale Rock surf forecast from 9 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 15 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 10s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 15 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 10s period, E swell with 1,069 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 11 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 16s 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 (Sep 11) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 16s 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 2.3m 10s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 4.0m 10s period and expected on Monday (Sep 14) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Fri 11th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whale Rock over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, and I’ve got the lowdown on the next few weeks. Let’s be real, the first part of it is a tough watch. There’s a real dry spell.
The only break in the game is Whale Rock. It’s a reef, so it’s for the advanced crew, and it’s inconsistent, meaning it needs a lot of things to click. The first faint glimmer of hope is Sunday the 13th of September. The morning is a bit of a mess with a cross-onshore wind, but the swell energy is a beast – a reading of 1335. The swell is 4 ft from the SSW with a super long period of 16 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell, so it’s got power, but the wind kills the vibe. It’s a marginal day, and it’s the best we’ve got for a while.
The second week has a few more pulses, but it’s still a game of patience. On Tuesday the 15th, the morning brings a 6 ft E swell at 10 seconds, but it’s cross-onshore and choppy. The energy is solid at 824. Then on Wednesday the 16th of September, the afternoon gets a bit hectic. We’re looking at a 10 ft SSW swell, but it’s a short period of 8 seconds and a messy cross-shore wind. That’s expert-only territory, and it looks more like a kite-surfing zone than a clean paddle session.
The one that’s got my hopes up is Saturday the 19th of September. The morning shows a 8 ft ESE swell with a nice 12-second period. The combined energy is a massive 1857, and the swell is coming from the ESE, which is exactly what this spot wants. The big letdown is the wind – it’s a moderate cross-onshore, making it lumpy. Even so, the size and power from that direction is a rare treat for Whale Rock. If the wind was offshore, it would be a dream. For the experienced surfers, this is the one to circle on the calendar, but it’s a long way off, so don’t get too attached.
After that, it’s a slide back into mediocrity. Sunday the 20th has a 6 ft ESE swell, but the wind is a fresh cross-shore, making it messy. The rest of the week is just choppy, onshore windswell. The wind is a constant battle here, and with the break’s inconsistency, it’s a tough run.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Thu morning, min 18°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Warm (max 23°C on Mon afternoon, min 19°C on Sat morning). Mainly strong winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSW 15 | SSW 17 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | S 7 | S 8 | ENE 6 | SSW 19 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | E 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | E 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 22 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 64 | 34 | 41 | 20 | 23 | 252 | 144 | 73 | 58 | 72 | 194 | 419 | 597 | 493 | 407 | 175 | 101 | 58 | 683 | 41 | 92 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 2:56PM1.63m | 3:09AM1.60m | 3:29PM1.76m | 3:41AM1.67m | 4:00PM1.82m | 4:12AM1.69m | 4:29PM1.83m | 4:40AM1.67m | 4:57PM1.78m | 5:08AM1.61m | 5:23PM1.69m | 5:34AM1.52m | 5:48PM1.56m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:41AM0.15m | 9:06PM0.14m | 9:14AM0.03m | 9:39PM0.04m | 9:45AM-0.03m | 10:09PM0.00m | 10:14AM-0.05m | 10:38PM0.01m | 10:42AM-0.02m | 11:05PM0.05m | 11:09AM0.05m | 11:31PM0.13m | 11:35AM0.15m | 11:56PM0.24m | |||||||
 | |  | | |  |  |  | |  | |  | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — |
 | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:53 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 23 | 22 | 29 | 22 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 20 |
Feels °C | 22 | 21 | 21 | 28 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 16 | 17 | 24 | 21 | 19 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSW 19 | E 7 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 9 | E 9 |
| kJ | 64 | 34 | 498 | 436 | 388 | 287 | 166 | 137 | 141 | 72 | 60 | 419 | 236 | 493 | 339 | 175 | 101 | 1275 | 683 | 517 | 380 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 11 | SSE 12 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 12 | SSW 17 | SSW 15 | S 5 | S 7 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSE 7 | SSW 16 | E 9 | S 9 | — | — | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 13 | 15 | 41 | 20 | 14 | 252 | 144 | 26 | 44 | 53 | 40 | 31 | 597 | 61 | 13 | — | — | 58 | 50 | 41 | 39 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 14 | SSW 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 15 | SSE 11 | SE 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | SE 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 10 | E 9 | S 9 | — | — | — | — | SSW 12 | S 27 | SSW 22 |
| kJ | 7 | 11 | 21 | 16 | 23 | 13 | 5 | 73 | 58 | 7 | 24 | 36 | 63 | 27 | — | — | — | — | 91 | 14 | 92 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | — | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | — | — | ENE 9 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | — | — | — | ENE 9 |
| kJ | 404 | 457 | 848 | 671 | — | 29 | 32 | — | — | 206 | 194 | 245 | 439 | 354 | 407 | 1236 | 2759 | — | — | — | 616 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 186 | 412 | 70 | 16 | 20 | 114 | 39 | 629 | 190 | 289 | 289 | 238 | 289 | 289 | 289 | 401 | 194 | 0 | 39 | 186 | 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.
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