
Surf Forecasts:
Whale Rock surf forecast from 11 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 17 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 13s period, SSW swell with 6,236 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 13 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 7s period with ESE 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 (Jul 13) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 11s. 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 17) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Friday (Jul 17) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Mon 13th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 15ft (4.5m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whale Rock over the next 16 days.
Alright, let's get into it. We're looking at Whale Rock, and the next 16 days are a mixed bag—some real promise, but you've got to be patient and pick your moments.
First up, the water temp is sitting around 71°, which is pretty much what you'd expect for this time of year, no surprises there.
The good stuff doesn't really kick in until the following week. The first few days are pretty average—there's swell around, but the wind is messy. Saturday morning (July 11th) has a 7ft swell from the south with a 13-second period, which gives it some grunt, but the cross wind messes up the face. The combined energy is high at 1379, but it's not going to be pretty. That afternoon gets worse with stronger onshore wind. Sunday and Monday are similar—surf is there but the wind is all wrong.
Now, Tuesday morning (July 14th) is where it starts to look interesting. We've got a 6ft swell from the east-southeast with a 9-second period, and the wind swings to a light cross-offshore from the southwest. That's clean. The energy is a solid 564, and it's shaping up to be a good session. This is a standout for the week—a window of real quality.
Keep an eye on Friday July 17th through Saturday July 18th. Friday afternoon sees a 12ft groundswell from the south-southwest, but it's a long 12-second period, which means it's got serious power (energy at 3231). The wind is cross-off, so it's clean, but that size is only for experienced surfers at Whale Rock. Saturday morning (July 18th) drops a bit to 8ft from the south with a 13-second period, and the energy is massive at 3212. Wind is light and cross-off—this is the best on offer. Clean, powerful, and solid. But be aware, this spot is inconsistent and crowds are sometimes a factor, so pick your time.
Later in the second week, on Monday July 20th, we get a nice little window. The morning has a 5ft swell from the south-southeast, cross-off wind, and it's clean. The afternoon goes glassy with a 3ft swell—a perfect small-wave session for those who want it mellow. After that, the swell drops right off and the wind picks up, so it's a waiting game again.
The last week of the period is mostly blown out with strong onshore wind or just small, weak swell. Energy values drop below 200, and the wind is a problem. There's a chance on Wednesday July 22nd and Thursday July 23rd mornings with clean, small swell, but it's barely breaking 3ft.
Overall, the real standout is the Saturday morning (July 18th) session at Whale Rock. Big, clean, powerful south swell. If you're an expert, that's your call. The Tuesday morning (July 14th) is the best of the earlier part for most surfers—clean, manageable, and fun.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 30mm), heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon afternoon, min 15°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Wed morning, min 15°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Tue night, strong winds from the SW by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 12 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | E 8 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1379 | 1491 | 988 | 650 | 368 | 265 | 254 | 308 | 381 | 493 | 473 | 417 | 373 | 383 | 377 | 377 | 392 | 340 | 1331 | 3106 | 5256 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross | cross | off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:20PM1.23m | 1:45AM1.45m | 2:22PM1.36m | 2:41AM1.54m | 3:13PM1.49m | 3:30AM1.62m | 3:59PM1.61m | 4:14AM1.65m | 4:42PM1.68m | 4:55AM1.65m | 5:23PM1.71m | 5:33AM1.60m | 6:02PM1.69m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:18PM0.40m | 8:09AM0.29m | 8:22PM0.30m | 9:00AM0.17m | 9:16PM0.19m | 9:45AM0.08m | 10:04PM0.13m | 10:26AM0.02m | 10:48PM0.10m | 11:05AM0.00m | 11:30PM0.13m | 11:42AM0.03m | 00:10AM0.19m | ||||||||
7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | |
— | 5:14 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:16 | — | |
mm | 2 | 6 | 12 | 4 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 7 | 8 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 12 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | E 8 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 13 |
1379 | 1491 | 988 | 650 | 368 | 265 | 254 | 308 | 381 | 493 | 473 | 417 | 373 | 383 | 377 | 377 | 392 | 340 | 156 | 125 | 2283 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | E 5 | SW 18 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 10 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 4 | SSW 8 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | — | — | E 10 |
12 | 12 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 263 | 198 | 184 | 130 | 41 | 26 | 15 | 28 | 16 | 3 | 35 | 148 | 239 | — | — | 94 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | ENE 9 | — | S 15 | S 14 | — | SSE 8 | S 10 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 14 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSW 17 | SSW 9 | S 10 | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 16 | — | 17 | 33 | — | 55 | 30 | 25 | 25 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 28 | 32 | 2 | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 4 | — | ESE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 3 | SW 4 | — | ENE 3 | SW 3 | SSW 9 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 |
— | — | 8 | — | 243 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 5 | — | 4 | 8 | 1331 | 3106 | 5256 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 70 | 29 | 43 | 281 | 0 | 43 | 186 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 238 | 402 | 402 | 1 |
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.










