Whale Rock Surf Break

Lat Long: 31.94° S 29.22° E

Issued: 1 am 07 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whale Rock sea temperature is
22.1° C

1.3°C warmer than normal for this time of year

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 7 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 10 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 10 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, SSW swell with 3,813 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 7 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 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 Tuesday (Jul 07) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 4s. 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 15s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 10) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 12) at 8PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Tue 7th Jul)2ft (0.6m) 14s
Best Surf 8AM (Fri 10th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 15s
Most Powerful11AM (Fri 10th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 15s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking for Whale Rock.

We’ve got one spot to talk about, and it’s a tricky one. Whale Rock is an advanced reef break, but it’s inconsistent, so you can’t just rock up and expect waves. The water is sitting at 72°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – not a game changer, but nice.

The first few days are a write-off. Tuesday and Wednesday are offering tiny, weak swell with poor conditions. Tuesday morning sees a 2 ft SW swell with a light cross-shore, but the energy is low (149). That’s not worth paddling out for.

Thursday 9th July finally shows some life. The morning bumps up to 6 ft SW swell with a cross-offshore wind, and the combined energy jumps to 1219. It’s a moderate swell, but it’s still on the fence for quality. The afternoon gets bigger at 7 ft but gets lumpy with a cross-shore.

Now, Friday 10th July morning is the first standout. We’re looking at a solid 10 ft SSW groundswell with a period of 15 seconds – that’s very long-period energy. The combined energy is 3820, which is strong. The wind is light cross-on, but keep in mind, a long-period swell like this tends to break straight at a reef spot. It’s for experienced surfers only at this size. Crowds are possible here.

Saturday 11th July morning is the pick of the first week. Glassy conditions with a 6 ft SSW swell, period of 13 seconds, and combined energy at 1269. That’s clean, offshore wind, good shape potential. It’s an excellent window for advanced surfers.

Sunday 12th July morning pushes up to 12 ft S swell, but the period drops to 9 seconds – so it’s windswell, less organised. Still big, but choppy.

Monday 13th July fades. Swell drops, winds turn fresh, and it’s not worth it.

Tuesday 14th July morning brings another glassy session with a 8 ft SW swell, period of 9 seconds – clean but not as much grunt as the Saturday morning.

From the 15th through the 18th, there’s a lull. Waves get small and weak. The 18th Saturday afternoon sees a spike to 10 ft S swell, but it’s short-period at 7 seconds and messy. More of a kite-surfing setup than a paddle session.

The second week gets bigger again. Sunday 20th July morning fires up with a 12 ft SE swell, period of 10 seconds, combined energy 3324. It’s moderate-to-strong, but the cross-shore wind chops it up. Not the cleanest.

The absolute standout of the whole forecast is Tuesday 22nd July afternoon. 13 ft SSW groundswell with an 11-second period, and combined energy of 4185 – that’s strong, solid, powerful. The wind is a cross-shore, but at that size, it’s for experts only. Crowds are possible.

Overall, the best bets are Saturday 11th July morning for clean, manageable size, and Tuesday 22nd July afternoon for sheer power. The long-range one is promising but less certain.

Rusty, signing off.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Tue morning, min 16°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNE on Tue morning, fresh winds from the SSW by Wed afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 20°C on Sun afternoon, min 16°C on Fri morning). Winds increasing (calm on Fri night, fresh winds from the SW by Sat night).

Tuesday
7
Wednesday
8
Thursday
9
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
1
0
2
3
1
4
4
2
4
4
3
2
4
3
4
2
2
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
SW
14
0.5
SW
14
0.6
SSW
13
0.7
SSW
14
0.7
SW
14
1.5
SSW
7
1.9
SSW
13
2.2
SSW
13
2.2
SSW
14
3
SSW
15
2.5
SSW
14
2.3
SSW
14
1.9
SSW
13
1.9
S
13
3
S
8
3.5
S
9
2.5
SSE
9
2.1
SE
9
1.9
ESE
9
1.8
ESE
9
1.5
E
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
102
102
120
180
200
218
1211
1679
1859
3813
2989
1858
1269
1200
892
1769
972
702
633
564
372
Wind (km/h)
5
NNE
20
SW
5
NW
5
NE
30
SSW
10
W
20
SW
25
SSW
10
SW
5
S
15
SSE
0
NNE
5
SE
5
SE
25
WSW
15
SSW
15
S
10
W
15
W
35
SW
15
W
Wind State
cross
cross-off
off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
High Tide
8:40PM1.38m
9:00AM1.16m
9:47PM1.33m
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
Low Tide
2:09PM0.37m
3:03AM0.48m
3:07PM0.44m
4:19AM0.51m
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
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
thunderstorm
cloud
thunderstorm
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:03
7:03
7:03
7:03
7:03
7:01
7:01
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:12
5:12
5:13
5:13
5:14
5:14
5:15
 mm
2
1
3
Temp °C
28
22
18
22
23
18
19
19
17
17
18
18
19
19
19
19
20
18
21
20
17
Feels °C
25
17
17
19
19
15
16
15
13
16
16
17
20
19
20
17
17
17
17
13
13
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
ENE
7
0.7
ENE
8
0.6
ENE
8
0.7
SSW
14
0.7
SW
14
1
SSW
7
1.9
SSW
13
0.4
NE
8
2.2
SSW
14
3
SSW
15
2.5
SSW
14
2.3
SSW
14
1.9
SSW
13
1.9
S
13
0.8
E
7
2.5
SSE
9
2.5
SSE
9
2.1
SE
9
1.9
ESE
9
1.8
ESE
9
1.5
E
9
Energy kJ
59
56
39
180
200
105
1211
16
1859
3813
2989
1858
1269
1200
61
1070
972
702
633
564
372
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
SE
10
0.5
SW
14
0.6
SSW
13
0.5
ENE
7
0.4
ENE
7
0.7
SSW
14
0.2
ENE
7
0.2
E
10
0.3
ENE
8
0.3
ENE
9
0.3
ENE
8
0.3
ENE
8
0.3
ENE
8
0.3
ENE
7
0.8
SSW
12
0.4
ENE
7
0.8
SSW
11
1.2
SSW
10
1
SSW
10
1.2
SSW
9
Energy kJ
47
102
120
29
18
168
5
7
13
16
14
12
12
11
184
17
130
292
227
242
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
SW
14
0.5
SE
10
0.4
SE
9
0.4
SE
9
0.4
SE
9
0.3
ENE
6
0.2
E
10
0.1
SE
16
0.2
E
9
0.1
SE
13
0.1
SE
13
0.3
E
9
0.2
E
10
1.1
SSW
11
0.4
S
7
0.2
SSE
11
0.3
S
13
Energy kJ
102
45
30
22
22
8
8
10
7
7
7
15
7
270
17
11
31
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
SSW
3
0.6
SSW
3
1.5
SSW
7
2.2
SSW
13
3
S
8
3.5
S
9
0.9
SSW
12
0.3
NW
4
1.6
SSW
10
0.2
NNW
2
Energy kJ
6
9
218
1679
892
1769
239
2
562
1
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
1
2
1
2
4
4
4
5
4
4
4
4
3
5
4
4
3
3
3
Distance (km)
1
10
0
3
154
0
39
238
0
1
39
0
0
43
1
1
1
0
1
114
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape - Wild Coast
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
3
2
4
5
5
6
5
4
4
4
3
5
4
4
3
3
4
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
4
5
6
5
4
4
4
4
5
4
4
4
3
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
7
5
7
9
8
9
7
7
6
7
5
5
5
5
5
5
9
9
7
5
6
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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