
Surf Forecasts:
Whale Rock surf forecast from 24 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, SSW swell with 3,228 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 24 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 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 (Jul 24) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 1.6m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Whale Rock in the next 16 days are 2.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 7s period and expected on Monday (Jul 27) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whale Rock over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, it’s Rusty here with a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks. We’ve got one spot to focus on, and it’s a bit of a moody beast, so let’s get into it.
The forecast has a real rough start, with the first few days offering nothing but frustration. Friday the 24th is a total write-off; we’ve got a solid 7ft to 8ft SSW swell, but the wind is howling and the conditions are just messy. The wave energy is huge, with a combined energy of 1421 on Friday morning and 3305 in the afternoon, but it’s all for nothing with those cross and cross-off winds. Forget it.
Saturday the 25th is where things finally turn. The morning is the standout of the whole 16-day window. Whale Rock is calling with a clean 4ft SSW swell, and the wind is completely glassy – dead calm from the east at just 3 mph. The period is a very long 15 seconds, which is proper groundswell, and the combined energy is a solid 1010. This is a reef break, so that long period will wrap in beautifully, and for experienced surfers, this is as good as it gets. The water temp is about average for the time of year, so no surprises there. Just keep in mind this spot is inconsistent and for advanced surfers only, and it can get crowded sometimes.
The afternoon on Saturday gets a bit messy with onshore wind, and Sunday the 26th through to the middle of the next week is a real struggle. The winds are predominantly cross-onshore, and the swell just doesn’t have the quality to back it up. There’s a little window on Thursday the 30th in the afternoon worth a mention – a 6ft ESE swell with glassy conditions, giving a combined energy of 1102. That’s a clean option for the more experienced crew.
But the real second act comes at the end of the month. Friday the 31st of July is looking like a serious contender. The morning is dead flat calm with an 8ft easterly swell, period of 13 seconds and a combined energy of 2246. The afternoon is even bigger, with a 10ft easterly swell, 13-second period, and a massive combined energy of 3030, all under glassy skies. This is big, powerful, and clean. If you’re an expert, this is your session. Anything over 8ft is for experts only, so leave the foam boards at home.
After that, the first week of August looks like a bit of a letdown again, with onshore winds and choppy conditions. The swell sticks around, but the quality drops off. There’s a small window on the morning of Thursday the 7th of August with a 3ft SSW swell, 15-second period, and a light glassy cross-shore, but it’s a long way out and the energy is much lower at 811.
Overall, if you’re an experienced surfer, lock in the morning of Saturday the 25th and the whole of Friday the 31st. Those are the standouts.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 20°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Thu night, calm by Sat morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 77mm), heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 23°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Tue night). Mainly strong winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 9 | SSW 10 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 7 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
820 | 717 | 3228 | 949 | 610 | 508 | 506 | 484 | 233 | 176 | 204 | 408 | 422 | 635 | 688 | 2133 | 1204 | 862 | 490 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:22PM1.10m | 12:30PM1.00m | 00:57AM1.13m | 1:45PM1.09m | 1:57AM1.22m | 2:31PM1.20m | 2:39AM1.32m | 3:07PM1.32m | 3:13AM1.42m | 3:38PM1.42m | 3:43AM1.50m | 4:08PM1.52m | 4:12AM1.56m | ||||||
Low Tide | 6:05AM0.66m | 6:21PM0.68m | 7:30AM0.58m | 7:40PM0.60m | 8:19AM0.47m | 8:28PM0.49m | 8:55AM0.36m | 9:05PM0.39m | 9:26AM0.26m | 9:37PM0.31m | 9:55AM0.17m | 10:08PM0.24m | |||||||
— | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | |
5:21 | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:23 | — | |
mm | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 15 | 5 | 35 | 8 | 4 | 6 |
Temp °C | 19 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 20 | 18 | 23 | 20 | 19 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 18 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 20 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | SSW 19 | SE 11 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SSW 15 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SE 8 | ESE 8 |
66 | 522 | 30 | 380 | 398 | 360 | 300 | 484 | 233 | 167 | 99 | 45 | 422 | 374 | 509 | 2133 | 1204 | 316 | 413 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 7 | SSW 14 | ESE 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
21 | 121 | 47 | 949 | 610 | 508 | 506 | 179 | 74 | 176 | 204 | 102 | 188 | 635 | 688 | 143 | 283 | 862 | 490 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 23 | SE 11 | — | SE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 18 | — | SSW 16 | SSW 12 | SE 8 | SE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ESE 10 |
10 | 61 | — | 16 | 2 | 2 | 31 | — | 149 | 78 | 11 | 3 | 41 | 38 | 40 | 60 | 58 | 81 | 222 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 9 | SSW 10 | SSW 16 | — | — | — | NNE 3 | ENE 4 | ENE 6 | NE 7 | SSW 3 | SSW 7 | S 6 | — | — | SE 7 | — | — | — |
820 | 717 | 3228 | — | — | — | 7 | 12 | 148 | 472 | 5 | 408 | 120 | — | — | 184 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 402 | 401 | 39 | 0 | 0 | 266 | 0 | 186 | 403 | 0 | 16 | 290 | 1 | 238 | 114 | 1 | 434 | 998 | 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.










