
Surf Forecasts:
Whale Rock surf forecast from 10 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 16 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 12s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 12s period, E swell with 1,066 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 10 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 8s 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 (Aug 10) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 8s. 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 2.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.4m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Mon 10th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whale Rock over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, it’s your local surf reporter Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – this outlook for our region is a tough one. We’re looking at a 16-day window, but honestly, it’s a grim run for most of it. The only real glimmer of hope is at Whale Rock, and even that’s a tricky, inconsistent spot that only breaks for the advanced crew. The first solid recommendation doesn’t kick in until Monday morning, August 10th, and from there, we’ve got a long stretch of poor conditions.
Right, let’s start with the best of a bad bunch. The standout, and I mean the only real standout, is Whale Rock (reef break). On Monday, August 10th, the morning brings a 8 ft southerly swell, with a period of 9 seconds. The combined energy is strong at (1106), but the wind is a cross-shore breeze from the south at 19 mph, making it lumpy. The water is sitting at 71°, which is just about average for this time of year. It’s not perfect, but it’s the only show in town. The afternoon sees a drop to 7 ft from the SSE, with a lighter 9 mph cross-shore breeze, but it’s still cross-chop.
Tuesday, August 11th, the morning swell is 6 ft from the south, with a longer period of 11 seconds. The combined energy is strong at (1257), but it’s cross-onshore and choppy with a 12 mph wind. The afternoon turns into a real mess – 7 ft from the SE, but a 19 mph onshore wind makes it a write-off.
From Wednesday, August 12th, right through to the end of the second week, it’s a desert. The swell drops, the wind is either onshore or cross-onshore, and the conditions are consistently poor. We’ve got days of clean-offshore winds on the 19th, but the swell is a tiny 4 ft from the east, marginal and not worth the paddle. The 22nd of August offers a small glimmer with a 8 ft easterly swell and a clean cross-offshore wind, but again, the quality is marginal.
The long-range stuff later in the month, like the 21st and 22nd, shows some bump in swell size, but the wind is a howling 28 mph onshore, making it a complete mess. The only time the wind is clean is on the 22nd afternoon, with a light 6 mph cross-shore and a 7 ft swell, but it’s still a marginal call.
In short, if you’re an expert and you’re desperate, the Monday morning of the 10th is your best bet at Whale Rock. For the rest of us, it’s a waiting game. The breaks here are inconsistent, and a blank run like this is normal for the area. Keep an eye on the forecasts, because things can change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Tue morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NE on Fri afternoon, light winds from the N by Sat night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | SE 8 | S 11 | S 10 | SE 9 | E 10 | E 10 | ESE 9 | SSW 18 | E 8 | SSW 18 | E 7 | E 6 | E 7 | E 12 | E 11 | E 12 | E 12 | E 11 | E 11 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
682 | 221 | 606 | 1035 | 351 | 363 | 455 | 413 | 273 | 264 | 180 | 162 | 259 | 243 | 765 | 930 | 1066 | 857 | 953 | 819 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 2:25PM1.38m | 2:42AM1.50m | 3:10PM1.55m | 3:24AM1.61m | 3:49PM1.69m | 4:02AM1.67m | 4:26PM1.78m | 4:36AM1.68m | 5:00PM1.80m | 5:09AM1.65m | 5:32PM1.77m | 5:40AM1.59m | 6:02PM1.69m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:30PM0.31m | 8:57AM0.17m | 9:17PM0.18m | 9:35AM0.05m | 9:57PM0.08m | 10:10AM-0.03m | 10:33PM0.04m | 10:42AM-0.06m | 11:07PM0.05m | 11:14AM-0.03m | 11:39PM0.10m | 11:43AM0.04m | 00:10AM0.19m | |||||||
— | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | |
5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | |
mm | 1 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 21 | 22 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 19 |
Feels °C | 10 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | SE 8 | S 11 | S 10 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SSE 8 | ESE 9 | E 9 | SSW 16 | E 10 | E 10 | SW 16 | E 7 | E 12 | E 11 | E 12 | E 12 | S 11 | E 11 |
682 | 221 | 606 | 1035 | 351 | 363 | 184 | 413 | 210 | 175 | 70 | 74 | 64 | 243 | 765 | 930 | 1066 | 857 | 2 | 819 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | S 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | S 8 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | S 9 | E 11 | SW 14 | SW 14 | S 12 | S 11 | SW 12 | SW 16 |
44 | 98 | 207 | 154 | 205 | 193 | 82 | 156 | 66 | 38 | 180 | 103 | 7 | 191 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 6 | 10 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | SSW 11 | SSW 14 | E 10 | SSW 12 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 21 | SSE 8 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 15 | S 14 | S 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 17 | S 11 |
14 | 103 | 330 | 117 | 328 | 31 | 32 | 149 | 273 | 253 | 22 | 7 | 6 | 23 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 12 | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | — | E 10 | E 8 | ENE 6 | E 7 | E 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 11 | NNE 6 | ENE 12 | E 11 | ENE 11 |
— | — | — | — | 282 | 363 | 455 | — | 226 | 264 | 134 | 162 | 259 | 319 | 121 | 1297 | 43 | 1237 | 953 | 1197 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 0 | 643 | 187 | 238 | 290 | 643 | 37 | 182 | 289 | 37 | 261 | 289 | 16 | 43 | 186 | 0 | 43 | 289 | 16 |
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.











