
Surf Forecasts:
Whale Rock surf forecast from 6 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 9 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 13s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 10 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SSW swell with 3,207 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 6 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 10s period with SE 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 06) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 10s period. 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 3.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 10) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 6s period and expected on Monday (Jul 06) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Mon 6th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Thu 9th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Fri 10th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whale Rock over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's coming our way.
The next couple of weeks are a bit of a mixed bag, but we've got a few solid windows to get excited about. The first few days are pretty quiet, so don't rush out. We're waiting on a bigger pulse of energy to arrive.
The standout of the whole forecast is without a doubt Whale Rock on Friday, July 10th. The morning is shaping up to be the pick of the entire period. We're looking at a solid 8ft swell from the SSW, with a period of 14 seconds, giving those waves some serious grunt and shape. The combined energy is a massive 2996, which is strong. The wind is light and offshore, so the faces will be clean and lined up. This is excellent surf, but at this size, it's definitely for experienced surfers only. The tide and conditions should be firing. This is a coral reef break, so it can be a bit fickle and crowds are possible, but with conditions like this, it should be worth the paddle out.
Before that, Wednesday, July 8th morning offers a taste of what's to come. The swell is a small 2ft from the SSW, but it's backed by a 14-second period and the wind is glassy. The combined energy is 202, so it's mild, but those conditions will be perfect for a clean, small wave session if you're after something mellow.
Thursday, July 9th morning picks up, with a 6ft SSW swell (13 seconds) and a clean offshore wind. The energy jumps to 1068, so it's building, but it's still a bit of a building phase. The afternoon gets a bit messy with the wind.
Then comes Friday, July 10th morning – that's the big one as I mentioned. The afternoon wind swings onshore, so it's a morning mission.
Now, after that peak, Sunday, July 12th morning sees a drop in size to 3ft, but the wind is clean offshore. The energy is 661, so it's a smaller, cleaner option for a more relaxed session.
Looking further ahead, Tuesday, July 14th has some potential. The morning shows a solid 8ft swell from the SSE and glassy conditions. The combined energy is 2520, which is strong. That afternoon also looks clean with a 7ft swell and glassy wind. This is another one for the experienced crew, as the size is up there.
The water temperature is sitting at 72°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you can probably get away with a spring suit or even a shorty.
After that, the surf settles down again heading into the third week of July, with smaller, less consistent swells and more onshore wind. The last real shout for something decent is Friday, July 17th morning, with a 6ft SSW swell and a 13-second period, giving a combined energy of 1095, but the wind is cross-shore, so it won't be as clean.
So, to sum it up: the absolute best window is the morning of Friday, July 10th at Whale Rock for the big, clean groundswell. If that's too heavy, the morning of Tuesday, July 14th is another solid option for bigger waves. For a smaller, cleaner session, the morning of Wednesday, July 8th or Sunday, July 12th are your best bets.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Tue morning, min 16°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 20°C on Sat afternoon, min 15°C on Sat morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Thu afternoon, calm by Fri night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 7 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 9 | S 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
156 | 124 | 80 | 102 | 102 | 120 | 180 | 200 | 165 | 1722 | 1336 | 1755 | 3076 | 2252 | 1538 | 1054 | 705 | 511 | 639 | 459 | 233 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:49PM1.43m | 7:59AM1.25m | 8:40PM1.38m | 9:00AM1.16m | 9:47PM1.33m | 10:24AM1.11m | 11:11PM1.32m | 12:00PM1.13m | 00:35AM1.36m | 1:20PM1.23m | 1:45AM1.45m | 2:22PM1.36m | 2:41AM1.54m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:23PM0.29m | 2:03AM0.43m | 2:09PM0.37m | 3:03AM0.48m | 3:07PM0.44m | 4:19AM0.51m | 4:26PM0.50m | 5:48AM0.49m | 5:57PM0.49m | 7:07AM0.40m | 7:18PM0.40m | 8:09AM0.29m | 8:22PM0.30m | ||||||||
7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | |
— | 5:10 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:14 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 23 | 22 | 28 | 23 | 18 | 23 | 24 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 18 |
Feels °C | 18 | 19 | 19 | 25 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 13 | 17 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | SE 10 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 7 | SSW 13 | NE 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | E 8 | S 11 |
156 | 124 | 64 | 70 | 73 | 51 | 180 | 200 | 77 | 953 | 15 | 1755 | 3076 | 2252 | 1538 | 1054 | 705 | 511 | 639 | 110 | 233 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 6 | E 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | SSW 14 | NE 7 | E 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ESE 6 | E 7 | E 7 | SSW 12 | E 8 |
20 | 20 | 80 | 47 | 102 | 120 | 36 | 19 | 121 | 14 | 7 | 6 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 68 | 166 | 131 | 123 | 118 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SE 10 | SSW 5 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ENE 6 | E 10 | SE 9 | E 9 | SE 13 | SE 13 | — | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | — | — | S 18 | SE 9 |
21 | 27 | 37 | 102 | 45 | 9 | 22 | 22 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 7 | — | 19 | 10 | — | — | 6 | 21 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ENE 6 | — | — | SSW 3 | — | — | SSW 4 | SSW 7 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 4 | S 9 | SSW 7 |
— | 37 | — | — | 6 | — | — | 11 | 165 | 1722 | 1336 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 38 | 459 | 132 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3 | 43 | 0 | 3 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 114 | 0 | 23 | 114 | 0 | 0 | 643 | 0 | 289 | 186 | 1 | 1 | 154 | 1 |
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.










