Whale Rock Surf Break

Lat Long: 31.94° S 29.22° E

Whale Rock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 10 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whale Rock sea temperature is
21.4° C
0.9° 

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: Sunday 16 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 12s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 12s period, E swell with 1,066 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 0.9m and 8s. 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 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.4m 7s 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 2AM (Sun 16th Aug)6.5ft (2.0m) 12s
Most Powerful 2AM (Sun 16th Aug)6.5ft (2.0m) 12s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, folks, it’s your local surf reporter Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – this outlook for our region is a tough one. We’re looking at a 16-day window, but honestly, it’s a grim run for most of it. The only real glimmer of hope is at Whale Rock, and even that’s a tricky, inconsistent spot that only breaks for the advanced crew. The first solid recommendation doesn’t kick in until Monday morning, August 10th, and from there, we’ve got a long stretch of poor conditions.

Right, let’s start with the best of a bad bunch. The standout, and I mean the only real standout, is Whale Rock (reef break). On Monday, August 10th, the morning brings a 8 ft southerly swell, with a period of 9 seconds. The combined energy is strong at (1106), but the wind is a cross-shore breeze from the south at 19 mph, making it lumpy. The water is sitting at 71°, which is just about average for this time of year. It’s not perfect, but it’s the only show in town. The afternoon sees a drop to 7 ft from the SSE, with a lighter 9 mph cross-shore breeze, but it’s still cross-chop.

Tuesday, August 11th, the morning swell is 6 ft from the south, with a longer period of 11 seconds. The combined energy is strong at (1257), but it’s cross-onshore and choppy with a 12 mph wind. The afternoon turns into a real mess – 7 ft from the SE, but a 19 mph onshore wind makes it a write-off.

From Wednesday, August 12th, right through to the end of the second week, it’s a desert. The swell drops, the wind is either onshore or cross-onshore, and the conditions are consistently poor. We’ve got days of clean-offshore winds on the 19th, but the swell is a tiny 4 ft from the east, marginal and not worth the paddle. The 22nd of August offers a small glimmer with a 8 ft easterly swell and a clean cross-offshore wind, but again, the quality is marginal.

The long-range stuff later in the month, like the 21st and 22nd, shows some bump in swell size, but the wind is a howling 28 mph onshore, making it a complete mess. The only time the wind is clean is on the 22nd afternoon, with a light 6 mph cross-shore and a 7 ft swell, but it’s still a marginal call.

In short, if you’re an expert and you’re desperate, the Monday morning of the 10th is your best bet at Whale Rock. For the rest of us, it’s a waiting game. The breaks here are inconsistent, and a blank run like this is normal for the area. Keep an eye on the forecasts, because things can change.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Tue morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NE on Fri afternoon, light winds from the N by Sat night).

Mon
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
Sunday
16
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
0
1
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
4
1
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.2
SSE
8
1.3
SE
8
1.6
S
11
2.2
S
10
1.5
SE
9
1.4
E
10
1.6
E
10
1.6
ESE
9
0.7
SSW
18
1.4
E
8
0.5
SSW
18
1.3
E
7
1.8
E
6
1.6
E
7
1.7
E
12
1.9
E
11
2
E
12
1.8
E
12
2
E
11
1.9
E
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
682
221
606
1035
351
363
455
413
273
264
180
162
259
243
765
930
1066
857
953
819
Wind (km/h)
15
SSW
10
WSW
15
SE
25
ESE
20
E
25
ENE
25
ENE
15
NNE
20
NE
30
ENE
20
NNE
20
NE
35
NE
15
NNE
10
NE
20
NE
10
N
15
NE
25
NE
15
NNE
Wind State
cross
cross-off
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
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
5:40AM1.59m
6:02PM1.69m
Low Tide
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
11:43AM0.04m
00:10AM0.19m
light rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:43
6:43
6:41
6:41
6:39
6:39
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:31
5:32
5:32
5:34
5:35
5:35
5:36
 mm
1
4
3
4
4
2
2
Temp °C
15
15
15
16
16
17
17
16
16
18
17
18
20
18
21
22
19
21
22
19
Feels °C
10
12
13
11
11
12
12
13
12
13
13
14
15
14
18
19
18
18
19
17
  • 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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