Whale Rock Surf Break

Lat Long: 31.94° S 29.22° E

Issued: 1 pm 02 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whale Rock sea temperature is
21.0° C

Normal for this time of year

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 2 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 3 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 3 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 13s period, SSW swell with 7,084 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 3 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period with SSE 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 (Jul 03) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 13s. 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 4.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 03) 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 1.6m 7s period and expected on Monday (Jul 06) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Fri 3rd Jul)11ft (3.5m) 13s
Best Surf 8PM (Fri 3rd Jul)11ft (3.5m) 13s
Most Powerful 5AM (Fri 3rd Jul)15ft (4.5m) 13s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Alright, let’s break it down. This area has just one spot: Whale Rock. It’s an exposed reef break for the experienced surfer only.

We start with a quiet patch. The first meaningful surf comes up on Friday morning, July 3rd. You’re looking at solid 10ft swell from the southwest (11-second period), with a clean cross-off wind and a boatload of energy behind it. This is for experts only. Water temp is 70°F, right on average for this time of year.

The standout, no question, is Saturday morning, July 4th. Glassy conditions with a light offshore breeze, a clean 8ft SSE swell with a 12-second period, and a gob of energy (1816). On a reef like this, that’s lined-up, hold-your-line waves. Crowds can show up here, so be ready for company.

After Sunday, July 5th, the swell fades hard, and we get a long flat stretch from Monday the 6th through Wednesday the 8th. Nothing happening.

Then Thursday, July 9th afternoon brings a big pulse: a 12ft SSW groundswell with a very long 16-second period, energy reading 5076. That’s serious ocean power. The wind is a light cross-shore, so it won’t be perfect, but the reef will turn that long-period swell into some proper, heavy lines.

Jumping into the second week, Saturday, July 11th morning has a promising 8ft S swell at a 17-second period, with light cross-onshore winds. The energy is high (3125), and the period is super long, so expect big, clean faces on the reef, though a little bumpy from the wind.

Friday, July 17th morning is worth a look too: 8ft SSW swell, 13-second period, energy at 1840, with near-calm winds and just a cross breeze. That’s a decent call, but it’s far out, so don’t bank on it yet.

Your best bet – Saturday, July 4th morning – glassy, clean, and good size. Everything else comes with caveats, either wind or size that’s too wild for most.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sat afternoon, min 15°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Thu afternoon, calm by Sat morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Mon afternoon, min 16°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Thu
2
Friday
3
Saturday
4
Sunday
5
Monday
6
Tuesday
7
Wednesday
8
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
1
6
4
4
5
4
3
4
2
1
2
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
2
3
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)
2.5
SSW
11
4.5
SSW
12
3
SW
11
3.5
SSE
12
3
SSE
13
2.5
SSE
12
2.2
SSE
12
2
SSE
12
1.6
SE
12
1.4
SE
12
1.1
SE
11
0.8
SE
10
0.8
SE
10
0.6
SE
10
0.5
SW
12
0.5
SW
14
0.7
SSW
13
0.8
SSW
12
1.1
SSW
14
1.6
SSW
8
3
SSW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1439
6322
1903
3444
3158
1737
1361
1119
666
524
263
150
122
73
75
99
156
193
515
362
2951
Wind (km/h)
35
SW
40
WSW
20
WSW
10
S
10
NNW
5
WSW
10
ESE
10
NNW
10
NE
20
NE
10
NW
10
NE
15
NE
10
NW
15
SSW
15
SSW
5
NW
25
SW
40
SSW
25
SW
20
SW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
glassy
on
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
5:24PM1.49m
5:27AM1.49m
5:57PM1.50m
5:59AM1.46m
6:30PM1.49m
6:34AM1.41m
7:07PM1.47m
7:12AM1.33m
7:49PM1.43m
7:59AM1.25m
8:40PM1.38m
9:00AM1.16m
9:47PM1.33m
10:24AM1.11m
Low Tide
11:24PM0.29m
11:40AM0.17m
11:58PM0.31m
12:11PM0.19m
00:34AM0.34m
12:45PM0.23m
1:15AM0.38m
1:23PM0.29m
2:03AM0.43m
2:09PM0.37m
3:03AM0.48m
3:07PM0.44m
4:19AM0.51m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
light rain
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:03
7:03
7:03
7:03
7:03
7:03
7:03
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:09
5:09
5:09
5:10
5:10
5:12
5:12
5:13
 mm
4
Temp °C
20
17
20
20
18
19
21
18
19
21
19
23
25
23
20
20
18
18
19
18
17
Feels °C
10
8
13
15
16
16
17
16
15
17
16
19
21
20
17
17
18
15
13
13
13
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
E
8
3
SSW
13
2.4
SSW
12
3.5
SSE
12
3
SSE
13
2.5
SSE
12
2.2
SSE
12
2
SSE
12
1.6
SE
12
1.4
SE
12
1.1
SE
11
0.8
SE
10
0.8
SE
10
1
ENE
7
1
ENE
8
0.8
ENE
8
0.7
SSW
13
0.8
SSW
12
1.1
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
14
0.5
ENE
9
Energy kJ
52
2967
1578
3444
3158
1737
1361
1119
666
524
263
150
122
99
131
86
156
193
515
362
45
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
NE
8
0.3
E
9
1.7
S
13
0.4
E
13
0.4
E
12
0.5
E
12
0.5
E
12
0.4
E
11
0.5
S
10
0.4
E
11
0.6
ENE
5
0.5
ENE
6
0.4
SW
13
0.6
SE
10
0.5
SE
10
0.5
SW
14
0.6
ENE
8
0.4
ENE
7
0.4
ENE
7
0.4
ENE
8
0.2
SSE
16
Energy kJ
18
14
1018
53
46
71
67
41
46
39
22
22
44
63
48
99
40
21
21
26
25
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
E
13
0.4
E
13
0.4
E
12
0.1
S
20
0.1
SW
19
0.2
SSW
17
0.4
E
11
0.3
S
9
0.4
E
11
0.3
E
11
0.3
E
11
0.5
SW
12
0.5
SW
12
0.4
SE
10
0.4
SSW
4
0.3
SSE
4
0.2
E
10
0.2
E
10
0.1
SE
16
Energy kJ
32
52
46
8
14
30
39
15
37
21
20
73
75
33
6
4
9
8
10
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.5
SSW
11
4.5
SSW
12
3
SW
11
0.7
ENE
4
1
NE
6
0.9
ENE
7
0.5
SSW
4
0.8
SSW
5
0.4
SSW
3
1.6
SSW
8
3
SSW
13
Energy kJ
1439
6322
1903
16
58
79
8
29
2
270
2951
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
4
5
5
5
5
4
4
4
3
3
2
1
2
1
2
2
1
1
2
3
9
Distance (km)
628
163
1
1
0
0
70
0
16
143
0
16
16
0
1
1
0
254
445
39
39
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape - Wild Coast
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
5
4
4
4
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
9
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa
Rating
(10 max)
4
9
5
5
5
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
4
3
3
3
4
4
4
6
9
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
9
5
9
5
7
5
5
9
7
7
6
9
8
6
6
7
9
7
7
9
  • 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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