Surf Forecasts:
Whale Rock surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 11s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, S swell with 5,303 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 11s period with S 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 Saturday (Aug 29) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 11s period. 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 3.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 9s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whale Rock over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk Whale Rock. It’s a reef break for the advanced crew, exposed to the south. Water temp is 70°F, right about normal for this time of year.
This morning, Wednesday the 26th, we’ve got a 7ft swell from the south, with a very long 17-second period. The energy is strong at 2968. Wind is light from the south at 6 mph, cross-onshore, making it a little bumpy but not wrecked. It’s the first window but it’s marginal.
This afternoon, the swell jumps to 10ft from the south, still that long period, energy jumps to 5303. But the wind goes east at 12 mph, kicking up a moderate chop. Not clean.
Then we hit the rough stuff. From Thursday the 27th all the way through to Monday the 1st of September, it’s almost all poor. Strong winds – 25 mph, 28 mph from the northeast – just shredding the surface. Swell drops, periods get short, energy falls below 300. Zero to ride for over a week.
But then Wednesday morning the 2nd of September shows up. Swell at 8ft from the SSW, 14-second period, energy at 2152. And the wind is light from the southwest at 9 mph, cross-offshore. That’s clean, glassy. This is the standout moment for the whole outlook. Proper groundswell shape.
After that? It goes messy. Thursday the 3rd, swell hits 8ft but the period drops to just 7 seconds, and it's cross-on with chop. Friday the 4th is a disaster – 15ft SE swell with near gale winds at 31-34 mph. Energy at 6381 – huge power, but blown out. That’s kite-surfing territory, not paddle.
Saturday the 5th morning has an 8ft SE swell at 11 seconds, onshore wind at 9 mph, but it’s not clean. Still marginal.
The rest of the second week has size – 10ft on Monday the 7th, 6ft on the 8th – but it’s always cross-on or choppy. For me, Wednesday the 2nd is the only real shot. Long-period groundswell, clean offshores, big energy. Whale Rock is inconsistent and can get a crowd, but that morning could be worth the paddle.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Wed morning. Warm (max 26°C on Fri morning, min 17°C on Wed morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the S on Wed morning, strong winds from the ENE by Thu afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 24°C on Sat morning, min 17°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Sat night, calm by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | |||||||||||||||
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 17 | S 17 | S 14 | S 13 | S 16 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 6 | SSW 8 | E 9 | NE 5 | SSW 10 | E 9 | SSW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 2968 | 5303 | 2606 | 1419 | 1087 | 704 | 485 | 342 | 376 | 228 | 177 | 63 | 204 | 255 | 100 | 107 | 212 | 106 | 10 | 230 | 387 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 5:12AM1.64m | 5:31PM1.75m | 5:42AM1.57m | 6:02PM1.67m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 11:15AM0.00m | 11:41PM0.09m | 11:45AM0.07m | 00:13AM0.18m | |||||||
 |  |  |  | | | |  |  | | | | |  |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — |
 | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 26 | 25 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 24 | 28 | 22 |
Feels °C | 18 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 23 | 28 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | S 17 | S 14 | S 13 | S 16 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | ENE 9 | S 12 | S 12 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | E 9 | ENE 5 | ENE 9 | E 9 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 2968 | 5303 | 2606 | 1419 | 1087 | 704 | 485 | 342 | 1012 | 228 | 177 | 904 | 408 | 295 | 295 | 220 | 212 | 51 | 295 | 230 | 387 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SSW 13 | — | SSE 16 | S 15 | S 12 | SW 14 | SSW 10 | S 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | S 6 | SSW 8 | SSE 7 | E 10 | SSE 6 | SW 15 | ENE 9 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 222 | — | 84 | 172 | 376 | 8 | 10 | 63 | 23 | 12 | 56 | 107 | 89 | 196 | 7 | 8 | 126 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 10 | SE 13 | SW 12 | SSE 10 | SE 6 | SW 12 | S 6 | SSW 10 | S 9 | S 9 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 15 | 22 | 22 | 10 | 2 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | ENE 5 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | — | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 6 | — | — | NE 5 | — | SSW 3 | SSW 6 |
| kJ | — | — | 73 | 453 | 1015 | 800 | 651 | 897 | 1799 | 894 | 969 | — | 204 | 255 | 100 | — | — | 106 | — | 8 | 59 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 290 | 289 | 412 | 589 | 133 | 133 | 266 | 118 | 143 | 594 | 154 | 39 | 114 | 0 | 186 | 461 | 3 | 43 | 113 | 595 |
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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