Whale Rock Surf Break

Lat Long: 31.94° S 29.22° E

Whale Rock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 09 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whale Rock sea temperature is
21.3° C
0.8° 

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 10 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 10 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 8s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 11 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 14s period, S swell with 1,645 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 1.2m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 1.0m and 8s is also forecast. 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 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 11s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Mon 10th Aug)6ft (1.8m) 8s
Best Surf 8PM (Mon 10th Aug)6ft (1.8m) 8s
Most Powerful 2PM (Tue 11th Aug)6.5ft (2.0m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for Whale Rock. Gotta be straight with you – it’s a tough stretch ahead. This is an advanced, inconsistent reef break that needs a clean window, and we just aren’t gettin’ one for a while.

We start off with a bit of size on Monday the 10th, with a 10ft S swell pushin’ in, but the wind is a howlin’ cross-shore at 18 mph, makin’ a right mess of it. The combined energy is strong at 1391, but it’s lumpy cross-chop. Not one for the quiver. That afternoon drops to 8ft, but it’s still cross-shore and messy. Tuesday the 11th keeps the trend goin’ – 6ft in the mornin’ but cross-onshore and choppy, with rain showers. Not worth paddlin’ out for.

From Wednesday the 12th right through to the end of the third week of August, it’s a grim pattern. We’re stuck with cross-onshore winds from the NE and ENE, blowin’ 9 to 22 mph, just choppin’ up everything. The swell sticks around but it’s poor quality. The combined energy dips down to weak readings (as low as 33), and the period is often short. This is more of a kite-surfing setup than a paddle-surfing one, if you ask me.

There’s a glimmer on Monday the 17th – the wind switches to a cross-off from the SW at 16 mph, and the report says clean. Swell is 5ft from the east with a moderate 11-second period and 616 combined energy. It’s still only rated marginal, and the break is inconsistent, so it’s a long shot. But if you’re desperate and the tide lines up, that Monday mornin’ is the only session that looks remotely doable in the first two weeks.

Now, headin’ into the last week, things get more interestin’ but still tricky. Sunday the 23rd has a 5ft SSW groundswell with a 12-second period and light onshore wind – combined energy is a solid 1057. Then Monday the 24th is the real standout, but it’s far out. That mornin’ sees an 8ft S swell with a very long 16-second period and a massive combined energy of 3543. The wind is a light 9 mph cross-onshore, so it’ll be fairly clean. That’s a powerful, long-period groundswell – perfect for a reef like Whale Rock, but at 8ft, this is strictly for experts. The long period means long lulls between sets, so paddlin’ out won’t be as hard as the size suggests. That Monday the 24th is the best lookin’ session on the whole board, but it’s a week and a half away – keep an eye on it.

Tuesday the 25th drops back to 5ft with a shorter 13-second period and cross-onshore wind – back to the chop.

Overall, it’s a long, bleak run until that big S groundswell on the 24th. If you’re an expert and can wait, that’s the one to circle. Otherwise, it’s a whole lotta nothin’ for your trouble.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 36mm), heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the S on Sun night, light winds from the SE by Tue night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 21°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Thu morning, fresh winds from the NE by Fri afternoon).

Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
2
2
0
1
2
0
0
2
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
S
8
3
S
9
2.4
SSE
8
1.5
SE
8
1.8
S
10
1.4
SSW
13
1.1
SSW
12
1.6
E
9
1.5
E
10
1.3
E
10
0.7
SSW
18
1.5
E
9
0.7
SSW
18
1.2
E
7
1.9
E
6
1.5
E
7
1.3
E
7
0.9
E
11
1.3
E
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1197
1391
840
291
669
722
333
436
417
326
276
328
286
150
307
208
159
184
418
Wind (km/h)
40
SSW
30
S
20
SSW
15
SSW
20
SSE
15
SSE
15
E
20
ENE
25
ENE
15
NE
20
NE
30
ENE
20
NNE
20
NE
35
NE
15
NNE
20
NE
25
NE
15
NNE
Wind State
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
1:50AM1.37m
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
Low Tide
8:12AM0.32m
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
heavy rain
light rain
light rain
mod rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:43
6:43
6:43
6:41
6:41
6:39
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:30
5:31
5:32
5:32
5:34
5:35
5:35
 mm
22
2
1
6
3
2
2
Temp °C
16
16
15
14
15
15
15
16
17
16
16
18
17
17
19
17
19
21
18
Feels °C
10
8
9
11
11
11
12
12
12
12
12
13
13
13
14
12
15
16
15
  • 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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