Surf Forecasts:
Whale Rock surf forecast from 6 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 18s period, S swell with 6,070 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Whale Rock this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Whale Rock in the next 16 days are 3.0m 18s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 2AM. 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 10s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whale Rock over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s break this down in feet and miles.
Look, I’m not gonna sugarcoat it – Whale Rock is a tough spot for the next week and a half. It’s a reef break for advanced surfers only, and it’s inconsistent. The first couple of weeks are a write-off. From Monday the 7th through the 14th, it’s all cross-onshore winds, choppy junk, and weak to moderate energy. The biggest swell on the 7th is about 8ft, but the wind is howling at 22 mph from the NE, ruining it. Don’t bother.
The first real chance to surf comes on Tuesday the 15th of September. We’ve got a 5ft east swell with a light breeze and just a little cross-shore ripple. The combined energy is moderate (565). It’s marginal, but it’s the first decent look.
Now, your winner. Saturday the 19th of September, morning session. The wind is glassy – totally calm – and the swell is 7ft from the SE with a 11-second period. That’s a long period groundswell, perfect for the reef. The combined energy is strong (1378). The water temp is about what you’d expect for this time of year. This is the only day that’s truly firing. It’s big, it’s clean, and it’s only for experienced surfers. Crowds are possible, so be ready.
The 17th and 18th see some huge, raw swell – 13ft and 15ft – but the wind is cross-shore and messy, making it a beast for kites, not for your longboard. The 19th is the clear standout.
After that, the 20th has a 4ft ESE swell with light winds, but it’s not nearly as clean or powerful. The rest of the forecast fades back into onshore junk.
So, my advice: save your energy for the 19th of September. That’s your shot.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 25°C on Wed morning, min 16°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the E on Sun night, strong winds from the ENE by Mon afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Warm (max 22°C on Wed night, min 19°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | ||||||||||||||
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 18 | S 16 | S 14 | S 13 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SW 14 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SSW 17 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | ESE 9 | ESE 7 | E 8 | ESE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 6070 | 3098 | 1643 | 772 | 198 | 119 | 80 | 64 | 33 | 41 | 48 | 87 | 264 | 193 | 140 | 326 | 262 | 287 | 254 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 00:52AM1.19m | 1:33PM1.26m | 1:51AM1.35m | 2:19PM1.46m | 2:33AM1.49m | 2:56PM1.63m | 3:09AM1.60m | 3:29PM1.76m | 3:41AM1.67m | 4:00PM1.82m | 4:12AM1.69m | 4:29PM1.83m | 4:40AM1.67m | ||||||
Low Tide | 7:16AM0.48m | 7:43PM0.44m | 8:04AM0.30m | 8:29PM0.27m | 8:41AM0.15m | 9:06PM0.14m | 9:14AM0.03m | 9:39PM0.04m | 9:45AM-0.03m | 10:09PM0.00m | 10:14AM-0.05m | 10:38PM0.01m | |||||||
 |  |  |  | | |  | | | | | | |  |  | |  | | | |
 | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — |
 | 5:49 | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 20 |
Feels °C | 16 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | S 16 | S 14 | S 13 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSE 7 | ESE 8 |
| kJ | 6070 | 3098 | 1643 | 772 | 198 | 119 | 80 | 64 | 33 | 603 | 406 | 294 | 211 | 146 | 135 | 118 | 86 | 101 | 254 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | S 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SE 12 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 12 | SSW 17 | SSW 15 | S 7 | S 15 | SW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 17 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 336 | 96 | 58 | 27 | 12 | 24 | 41 | 19 | 14 | 264 | 193 | 65 | 4 | 10 | 82 | 157 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | S 18 | — | S 16 | SE 14 | SSW 11 | SW 14 | SSW 12 | SW 15 | SSE 11 | SE 11 | SSW 14 | — | SE 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 11 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | 5 | 7 | 11 | 33 | 15 | 9 | 12 | 5 | 140 | — | 7 | 25 | 70 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SSW 5 | S 7 | S 7 | ESE 9 | ESE 7 | E 8 | ENE 8 |
| kJ | 169 | 104 | 349 | 369 | 378 | 672 | 606 | 528 | 642 | 976 | 48 | 87 | 29 | 44 | 103 | 326 | 262 | 287 | 691 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 194 | 289 | 643 | 398 | 186 | 412 | 73 | 186 | 402 | 16 | 401 | 1 | 39 | 114 | 291 | 238 | 289 | 289 | 589 |
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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