Surf Forecasts:
Whale Rock surf forecast from 25 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 26 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 16s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, S swell with 5,252 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 25 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 16s 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 Tuesday (Aug 25) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 6s. 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 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 Saturday (Aug 29) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Tue 25th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 16s |
| 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, this is Rusty. Let's get into it.
Alright, look, we're gonna be honest here – the next week and a half is pretty grim. Whale Rock is an exposed, advanced reef break that needs everything to line up, and for most of this 16-day window, it's just not happening. We've got a long stretch of poor surf quality, with wind and chop messing things up. The first real chance we see is a solid week away.
The first hint of something worthwhile shows up on Tuesday, September 2nd, with a morning session. We're looking at a 10ft SSW swell, but with a 15-second period. That's a long-period groundswell, which is great for power and shape, but at a reef break, it'll be heavy and drawn out. The wind is a cross-shore moderate breeze, and with the combined swell energy sitting at 3912, there's a heap of power in the water. The catch is the forecast is marginal, so it's a gamble. The water is sitting at 70°F, which is about normal for this time of year, nothing wild.
Then, Thursday, September 4th, the afternoon could be the standout. We've got a 13ft swell from the east, with a 10-second period. The wind is a cross-offshore fresh breeze, which is about as clean as it gets for this spot. The combined energy is a massive 3696, so this is a serious, powerful swell. This is for experts only, no question. 13ft at a reef is dangerous, and the crowds are likely to be there. If you're solid and the tide lines up, this could be the one.
The following morning, Saturday, September 5th, we have a 10ft east swell, 11-second period, and a gentle cross-shore breeze. The combined energy is 2681. It's still a big, powerful swell, but the wind is lighter, which could make it a bit more manageable than the day before. Still, this is expert territory.
A few other days show some size, like the 12ft and 10ft days, but the wind is either onshore or strong and messy, making it a blown-out mess. The short-period swells that pop up are just no good. For most of this run, the setup looks more interesting for a kiteboarder than a paddle surfer, to be honest.
So, if you're patient and you're an expert, keep your eyes on Thursday, September 4th, and that Saturday morning, September 5th. The rest is a write-off until then.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 28°C on Fri morning, min 17°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Wed morning, strong winds from the NE by Thu afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 26°C on Fri afternoon, min 16°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Sun afternoon, calm by Mon morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | ||||||||||||||
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 17 | SSW 16 | S 17 | S 17 | SSW 14 | S 13 | S 16 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | S 7 | S 7 | SSE 7 | ENE 6 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1269 | 1055 | 2713 | 5252 | 2410 | 1283 | 1087 | 623 | 416 | 342 | 376 | 280 | 177 | 62 | 249 | 276 | 223 | 120 | 60 | 131 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | off | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:51PM1.36m | 2:55AM1.43m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:51PM0.37m | 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 | |||||||
 |  | | |  |  | | | | |  | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — |
 | 5:42 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 28 | 26 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 17 | 16 | 18 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 19 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | S 17 | S 17 | SSW 14 | S 13 | S 16 | ENE 9 | S 12 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 12 | S 12 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | S 7 | S 7 | SSE 7 | E 6 |
| kJ | 1269 | 1055 | 2713 | 5252 | 2410 | 1283 | 1087 | 942 | 416 | 753 | 856 | 280 | 177 | 904 | 416 | 295 | 223 | 120 | 60 | 82 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | — | — | — | — | SSW 13 | S 13 | SSE 16 | S 12 | S 12 | SW 14 | SW 10 | S 11 | SSE 11 | SW 12 | ENE 10 | E 9 | SSW 12 | ENE 10 |
| kJ | 6 | 6 | — | — | — | — | 222 | 623 | 84 | 342 | 376 | 8 | 4 | 62 | 39 | 5 | 230 | 173 | 13 | 160 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | ENE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 16 | S 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | S 13 | WSW 11 | SW 14 | SW 11 | SE 11 | S 6 |
| kJ | 5 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 84 | 172 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 13 | 7 | 20 | 5 | 7 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 4 | — | — | — | ENE 5 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | — | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | — | — | ENE 9 | ENE 6 |
| kJ | 27 | — | — | — | 113 | 397 | 1123 | 1581 | 680 | 1350 | 1495 | 838 | 1211 | — | 249 | 276 | — | — | 216 | 131 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 39 | 0 | 113 | 978 | 261 | 412 | 412 | 118 | 113 | 266 | 70 | 133 | 221 | 6 | 446 | 461 | 0 | 6 | 154 | 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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