Surf Forecasts:
Whale Rock surf forecast from 9 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 9 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 14s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 10 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, SSW swell with 2,935 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 9 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 14s 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 Thursday (Jul 09) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 14s 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 2.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 10) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 16) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Thu 9th Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Thu 9th Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Fri 10th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whale Rock over the next 16 days.
Alright, grab your board. This is a bit of a mixed bag we’ve got coming up. The main event is Whale Rock, a reef break that’s strictly for the advanced crew. The water’s sitting at 71°F right now, which is about average for the time of year, so no surprises there.
The real action starts Saturday afternoon, July 11th. It’s not the biggest swell, coming in at 6ft from the SSW, but the wind is glassy, dead calm. That’s the magic word. The surf will be as clean as it gets. The energy is moderate (1230), but for a reef, that long 13-second period will wrap in nicely. Keep in mind, this spot is *inconsistent* and it’s usually only for the more experienced, but when it’s like this, you don’t want to miss it. The crowds can show up, but for a session like that, you’ll risk it.
The following week starts to get messy. Monday the 13th is a write-off—strong winds and a short, weak 8-second swell from the east. That’s a no-go. The next standout is a bit of a gamble. On Saturday morning, July 18th, the swell jumps up to 8ft from the ESE. It’s a bit of a chunky period (8 seconds), but the wind is clean and cross-offshore. That’s a lot of water moving. The energy is strong (1438), so this is for the big dogs only. It’s a big powerful slab that day.
Then, looking way ahead, the 23rd of July is interesting. The 15-second period from the SSW is a long, rolling groundswell. That’s the kind of energy that loves a reef. The swell is 5ft, but that period is the story. The wind is light onshore, but the energy is solid (1539). The real gem that day might be Thursday afternoon when the wind swings offshore and a 7ft E swell cleans up. The energy is moderate (1293), but the conditions are excellent. That’s a proper session.
The rest of the window is a waiting game. There are days with chop and onshore winds, and a few mornings with clean but small surf. The best of it is that Saturday afternoon glass-off and the long-period window on the 23rd. Keep your eyes on the forecast for that.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu morning, min 16°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Sun morning. Warm (max 20°C on Mon afternoon, min 16°C on Sun morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the NE on Sun morning, fresh winds from the ENE by Mon afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | E 8 | E 7 | E 7 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1356 | 1581 | 2098 | 2815 | 2285 | 1592 | 1192 | 1230 | 1071 | 650 | 361 | 263 | 441 | 348 | 195 | 302 | 477 | 505 | 682 | 703 | 592 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:24AM1.11m | 11:11PM1.32m | 12:00PM1.13m | 00:35AM1.36m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:26PM0.50m | 5:48AM0.49m | 5:57PM0.49m | 7:07AM0.40m | 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 | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  |  | |  |  |  | |  | |  |  | | |  | | | | |
 | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — |
 | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 14 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 23 | 20 |
Feels °C | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | ENE 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 12 | SSE 7 | SSW 11 | ESE 8 | SSW 11 | E 7 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
| kJ | 1356 | 6 | 2098 | 2815 | 2285 | 1592 | 1192 | 1230 | 1071 | 650 | 151 | 263 | 336 | 187 | 195 | 302 | 477 | 505 | 682 | 703 | 592 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | E 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 9 | — | SSW 12 | SE 6 | SSW 11 | S 13 | S 10 | E 8 | S 11 | S 9 | SSW 9 | SSE 8 | S 8 |
| kJ | 6 | 7 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 6 | — | 361 | 54 | 202 | 87 | 167 | 140 | 55 | 64 | 16 | 14 | 12 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | SE 9 | SE 15 | SE 13 | SE 13 | — | — | — | — | — | S 13 | S 7 | S 14 | — | SE 8 | S 10 | SSW 10 | SW 16 | SSE 8 | SSW 9 | SSE 10 |
| kJ | 8 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 28 | 134 | — | 65 | 96 | 38 | 10 | 14 | 8 | 10 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 5 | E 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | E 8 | E 7 | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 5 | — |
| kJ | — | 1581 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 57 | 54 | 43 | 21 | 441 | 348 | — | — | — | — | — | 27 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 39 | 39 | 0 | 1 | 39 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 23 | 16 | 261 | 289 | 0 | 154 | 182 | 0 | 16 | 43 | 0 |
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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