Surf Forecasts:
Whale Rock surf forecast from 31 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 6 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 17s period, S swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 17s period, S swell with 18,133 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 31 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 8s 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 Monday (Aug 31) at 2PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 8s 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 5.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 9s period and expected on Friday (Sep 04) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2PM (Mon 31st Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 18ft (5.5m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 18ft (5.5m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whale Rock over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, mate, Rusty here. Let’s break down the local surf.
The first week is pretty average, with only a few clean windows. The real quality shows up after a week of waiting. The standout is the morning of Tuesday, September 8th – that’s when you want to be in the water.
Let’s kick off with Monday, August 31st. The morning is looking good at Whale Rock. Glassy conditions, a 4ft easterly swell, but a short 9-second period, so the energy is weak (308). The water’s at 69°, which is about average for the time of year.
That clean spell fades fast. From Monday afternoon through to Thursday the 3rd, it’s mainly cross-onshore or cross-shore winds with small, weak waves and poor surf. The only half-decent moment is Tuesday afternoon, September 1st, when it goes glassy again, but the swell is tiny at 2ft, with a 13-second period giving it a bit more energy (127). Still, nothing special.
The wind picks up after that. Friday, September 4th brings a huge, messy 16ft southerly swell, but with strong cross-onshore winds, it’s a total loss for surfing. The combined energy is massive (5406), but the conditions are nasty. That big swell sticks around through the weekend, but the wind stays onshore or cross-onshore, making it choppy and ugly. Saturday the 5th has 8ft, and Sunday the 6th has 8ft, but the wind won’t let up.
Now, here’s the good news. Monday the 7th is still blown out, but then Tuesday morning, September 8th, delivers. Glassy conditions, a solid 8ft ESE swell, with an 11-second period. The energy is strong (2526), and the wind is dead calm. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers – too big for beginners. The swell direction is a good fit for the reef.
Wednesday morning, September 9th, is another big one with an 12ft ESE swell and a very long 15-second period. The combined energy is very strong (6162), but the wind is a light cross-onshore, creating small ripples. Experts only at this size. Thursday the 10th still has a solid 8ft ESE swell, but with a cross-shore wind, it’s a bit less clean.
After that, from Friday the 11th onward, the swell drops off and the wind turns mainly cross-onshore, bringing poor conditions right through to the end of the outlook. There’s a small window on Saturday afternoon, the 12th, with a bit of cross-shore wind and a 5ft SSW swell, but it’s short period and weak.
So, the first week is a washout, but lock in Tuesday morning, September 8th. That’s the one.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue morning, min 16°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 44mm), heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 24°C on Thu morning, min 16°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSE on Thu night, calm by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | |||||||||||||||
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) | E 9 | SSW 8 | S 7 | E 6 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | S 10 | S 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SSE 8 | S 7 | S 19 | S 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 217 | 51 | 28 | 22 | 120 | 325 | 834 | 970 | 453 | 373 | 176 | 305 | 5335 | 4860 | 1697 | 904 | 502 | 376 | 587 | 3372 | 9362 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | off | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross | on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 5:31PM1.75m | 5:42AM1.57m | 6:02PM1.67m | 6:14AM1.47m | 6:36PM1.54m | 6:50AM1.33m | 7:17PM1.38m | 7:37AM1.16m | 8:19PM1.19m | 9:14AM1.01m | 10:43PM1.09m | 12:16PM1.06m | 00:52AM1.19m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:15AM0.00m | 11:41PM0.09m | 11:45AM0.07m | 00:13AM0.18m | 12:18PM0.18m | 00:49AM0.31m | 12:55PM0.33m | 1:36AM0.46m | 1:46PM0.51m | 2:53AM0.62m | 3:33PM0.67m | 5:39AM0.64m | 6:28PM0.62m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | | |  |  | | |  |  | | | | | |  | |  | |
 | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — |
 | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 39 | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 6 | 8 | 11 |
Temp °C | 17 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 24 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 |
Feels °C | 17 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 23 | 20 | 18 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | E 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | E 8 | E 8 | S 19 | S 16 |
| kJ | 217 | 176 | 192 | 110 | 135 | 325 | 834 | 970 | 453 | 111 | 144 | 293 | 71 | 4328 | 1697 | 904 | 502 | 265 | 76 | 3372 | 9362 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | S 7 | E 6 | SSW 13 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | E 8 | ENE 7 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | NE 9 | — | S 15 | S 14 | E 9 | SSW 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
| kJ | 80 | 51 | 28 | 22 | 120 | 94 | 94 | 101 | 51 | 167 | 176 | 226 | 65 | — | 121 | 136 | 364 | 156 | 96 | 120 | 50 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 7 | S 6 | S 10 | — | — | — | — | S 5 | — | — | — | SSW 15 | — | SSW 12 | S 14 | S 20 | — | — |
| kJ | 11 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 7 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 40 | — | — | — | 174 | — | 113 | 16 | 302 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 4 | — | ENE 8 | SSW 12 | — | S 10 | S 11 | SSE 11 | E 8 | E 8 | — | SSE 8 | S 7 | S 9 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | — | 125 | 373 | — | 305 | 5335 | 4860 | 351 | 317 | — | 376 | 587 | 1920 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 182 | 1 | 114 | 0 | 1 | 39 | 154 | 37 | 6 | 2846 | 54 | 1687 | 1070 | 290 | 289 | 289 | 0 | 445 | 1024 | 643 |
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.
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