Whale Rock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty, and I’ve got the scoop for Whale Rock.

First thing you need to know: this spot is a fickle one. It’s an exposed reef break that needs the right swell direction and a whole lot of luck. Over the next 16 days, there’s nothing that’s really on fire. The water’s sitting at about 70°F which feels pretty normal for this time of year, nothing weird going on there.

We kick off on Monday, August 17, with a tiny 1ft SW groundswell and glassy conditions from a light easterly. It’s clean as a whistle, but honestly, there’s just no energy – combined swell energy is only 27. It’s a little heartbreaker because the conditions are perfect, but the ocean’s flat.

Tuesday the 18th sees a small increase, with 4ft of easterly swell and clean cross-offshore winds from the SW in the morning, but it’s a short-period windswell at 10 seconds and the energy is moderate (432). It’s surfable for someone who really wants to get wet, but nothing to write home about.

Wednesday the 19th and Thursday the 20th are pretty chopped up by wind. Thursday morning does see a bump to 5ft of SSW swell with clean cross-offshore wind, but the period is a short and weak 8 seconds. That afternoon, the swell jumps to 7ft from the SSW with a much nicer 14 second period, and the energy is strong (1591) – but the wind is onshore, making it bumpy. It’s big enough for stronger surfers but messy.

Friday the 21st through Saturday the 22nd is a write-off. Strong winds, lumpy conditions, and poor surf quality.

Now, here’s the closest thing to a standout in this whole run. On Sunday, August 23, we get a solid 5ft SSW groundswell rolling in at 12 seconds. The big news is the morning wind: offshore from the SE, glassy and clean. The energy is strong at 944. This is the window. The setup looks cleanest for those dawny sessions, but remember, Whale Rock is inconsistent and rarely breaks this well, so if you’re there, you’re in for a treat. Crowds sometimes show up here, so you might have a few friends.

Monday the 24th keeps the momentum with 6ft of SSW swell at 14 seconds and light cross-shore winds. The swell energy is very strong (1090) and the waves will have proper shape and power. It’s a solid option for intermediate to advanced surfers.

After that, the quality drops off a cliff. From Tuesday the 25th onward, winds get messy or the swell just fades. There’s a pulse of windswell on Wednesday the 26th (5ft from the ENE at a dreadful 6 seconds) but it’s howling onshore at 22 mph – that’s more of a kitesurfing day than a paddle day.

By the time we hit the end of August and into early September, the swell is small and weak, with cross-shore winds and poor conditions. There’s a small window on Sunday, August 30, with 4ft of SSE short-period swell, but it’s choppy.

So to sum it up: your only real shot at something decent is the weekend of August 23-24. That Sunday morning with the 5ft SSW groundswell and offshore wind is the pick of the bunch. The rest of the 16 days are either flat, blown out, or too messy to bother. Keep an eye on the charts, because this spot can turn on a dime, but for now, it’s mostly patience and a whole lot of waiting.

Rusty.

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