Whale Rock Surf Break

Lat Long: 31.94° S 29.22° E

Whale Rock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 24 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whale Rock sea temperature is
21.4°C
1.0° 

Whale Rock surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Whale Rock surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 25 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 16s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, S swell with 4,501 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 10s 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 24) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 7s. 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 3.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 4.0m 9s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8AM (Mon 24th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 10s
Best Surf11PM (Tue 25th Aug)5ft (1.5m) 16s
Most Powerful 8PM (Wed 26th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 17s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whale Rock over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here, and it’s a patchy outlook for the next couple of weeks. Right now, we’ve got a solid window of proper surf coming up, but it’s gonna be a tease with plenty of wind and blown-out conditions in between.

Let’s start with Whale Rock. Monday morning (24th August) is our kick-off. It’s small, clean, and glassy – 2ft SSW swell with a solid 11-second period, nothing heavy but the water’s sitting at 71°, which is about average for this time of year. The combined energy is low (238), so it’s a gentle session for those who want a quiet paddle. Afternoon drops even smaller, 1ft, but still glassy. Nothing to write home about, but a nice way to ease in.

Now, Tuesday (25th August) morning sees a jump to 5ft SSW swell, period stretching to 15 seconds – that’s proper groundswell energy (966). But the wind’s gone cross-on, so expect a bit of texture on the face. Afternoon builds to 5ft, same direction, period at 17 seconds, and energy ramps up to 1438. That’s moderate energy, but the cross-on wind is messing with it. The swell has plenty of push but it’s not clean.

Wednesday (26th August) morning is the standout. That same 5ft SSW 17-second groundswell is rolling in with glassy conditions. Combined energy is 1566 – moderate and punchy. For experienced surfers only, this is the best on offer. The swell direction (SSW) lines up nicely with the break’s optimum. Afternoon turns ugly fast – wind shifts onshore, 8ft of S swell, and energy explodes to 4037, but it’s messy. That one’s for the quad fins and the wild ones.

Thursday (27th August) through to the end of the month is a write-off. Strong cross-onshore winds, blown-out slop. Swell hangs around 3ft to 6ft, but the wind is relentless. A few days of nothing worth paddling out for.

Then we hit Sunday (30th August) afternoon – a weird one. 7ft SSW swell, but period is a short 6 seconds. That’s a windswell, not much shape. Clean cross-off wind though. Energy is only 295, so it’s weak. Not recommended.

The first week of September is a mixed bag. Monday (31st August) has clean cross-off wind but heavy rain and strong wind. Tuesday and Wednesday stay poor. Thursday (3rd September) morning goes nuclear – 15ft SW swell, 14-second period, and combined energy of 8707 – that’s very strong energy. But the wind is a near gale, so it’s un-rideable for most. Friday (4th September) morning offers a chance: 8ft SSW 16-second groundswell, light ENE wind, and energy at 3745. That’s a big, clean swell if the wind holds light. It’s marginal – the swell might be too big for beginners, and the period means it’ll be powerful, best suited to the reef setup at Whale Rock. Saturday morning (5th September) is 10ft with strong cross-off wind – clean but wild. After that, the window closes with more wind and rain.

Bottom line: the best surf is Wednesday 26th August morning – glassy, groundswell, good energy. The second standout is Friday 4th September morning, but it’s a week away and less certain. For the rest, it’s a waiting game. Keep an eye on the wind shifts.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 20°C on Mon morning, min 16°C on Mon morning). Winds increasing (calm on Mon afternoon, fresh winds from the ENE by Wed night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Thu morning. Warm (max 23°C on Sat afternoon, min 17°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NE on Thu afternoon, light winds from the NE by Fri morning).

Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
3
2
2
3
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
SSW
11
0.4
SSW
14
1
SSW
16
1.5
SSW
15
1.6
SSW
17
1.4
SSW
16
1.6
SSW
17
2.5
S
17
2.4
SSW
15
1.8
S
13
1.5
S
13
1.3
S
12
1.2
S
12
1.1
S
12
1.2
S
11
1
S
11
0.7
S
12
0.5
S
11
0.3
S
11
2
SSW
6
1.6
SSW
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
103
78
534
949
1427
914
1560
4037
2543
1138
747
522
416
339
357
265
137
65
21
283
361
Wind (km/h)
5
SSE
5
SE
5
W
5
SSE
15
S
15
SW
5
SW
20
E
35
ENE
45
NE
50
NE
25
NE
20
NE
30
NE
25
NE
30
NE
40
NE
20
NE
25
SSW
20
SSW
15
SSW
Wind State
glassy
glassy
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
High Tide
2:23PM1.22m
2:26AM1.31m
2:51PM1.36m
2:55AM1.43m
3:17PM1.50m
3:22AM1.54m
3:43PM1.62m
3:49AM1.61m
4:09PM1.71m
4:16AM1.66m
4:35PM1.77m
4:44AM1.67m
5:02PM1.78m
Low Tide
8:11AM0.49m
8:22PM0.50m
8:39AM0.35m
8:51PM0.37m
9:05AM0.22m
9:19PM0.25m
9:30AM0.11m
9:46PM0.15m
9:55AM0.03m
10:14PM0.08m
10:21AM-0.02m
10:42PM0.04m
10:48AM-0.03m
11:10PM0.05m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:30
6:28
6:26
6:26
6:24
6:24
6:22
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:40
5:42
5:42
5:43
5:43
5:44
5:45
 mm
5
1
1
Temp °C
20
19
18
18
19
19
19
20
18
19
19
18
22
22
22
22
23
21
21
21
21
Feels °C
19
17
18
17
18
18
18
18
14
12
12
11
20
19
19
18
19
17
19
20
21
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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