Surf Forecasts:
Whale Rock surf forecast from 6 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 12 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 12s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 10 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, SSE swell with 2,223 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 7 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 13s 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 Friday (Aug 07) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 10s. 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 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 10) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 06) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Fri 7th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Mon 10th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whale Rock over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. Whale Rock is a tricky one. It's an advanced reef break, inconsistent, and it needs the stars to line up. Right now, there's a big gap at the start of the forecast with nothing worthwhile. The first real chance of a decent wave doesn't come around until the morning of Wednesday, 12th August.
The best surf on offer is shaping up for the morning of Sunday, 16th August. That's the standout. You’ll see a clean 5ft swell from the east with a period of 11 seconds, and the wind is glassy. That’s a major positive. The water is sitting at 70°, which is about average for this time of year. The combined swell energy is moderate at 538. It’s a reef break, so that long period energy will wrap in nicely, but keep in mind it’s an advanced wave and it’s inconsistent, so you’ll need to be patient. Crowds are possible, so don't expect to have it to yourself.
Before that, the morning of Wednesday, 12th August is also worth a look. The swell is 5ft from the southeast with a short period of 8 seconds, but the wind is glassy again. The combined energy is moderate (582). It’s a more local wind swell, but those glassy conditions will make it rideable. It’s a good option for the daring surfer, but it’s not the best of the run.
The rest of the period is a write-off. Most days are plagued by cross-shore or cross-onshore winds, choppy conditions, and poor surf. The afternoon of Sunday, 9th August sees a 8ft swell (combined energy 826) but it’s blowing a near gale and the period is a short, weak 7 seconds. That’s a messy, blown-out mess. It’s more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. The bigger swells around the 10th and 11th are also messy with cross-shore chop and won't deliver clean waves.
The long-range stuff around the 18th and 19th is small and mostly onshore. Nothing to get excited about.
So, to sum it up: the morning of Sunday, 16th August is your best bet. The morning of Wednesday, 12th August is a solid backup if you’re keen for a paddle. The rest? Leave it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 24°C on Sat afternoon, min 15°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Thu morning, light winds from the S by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 47mm), heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SSW on Sun afternoon, calm by Tue night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 17 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 7 | SSW 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSW 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 251 | 191 | 595 | 294 | 210 | 475 | 461 | 362 | 250 | 372 | 736 | 827 | 1696 | 1177 | 444 | 1095 | 1025 | 418 | 270 | 224 | 293 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:10AM1.18m | 8:54PM1.28m | 9:33AM1.06m | 10:39PM1.20m | 11:51AM1.05m | 00:36AM1.24m | 1:28PM1.20m | 1:50AM1.37m | 2:25PM1.38m | 2:42AM1.50m | 3:10PM1.55m | 3:24AM1.61m | 3:49PM1.69m | 4:02AM1.67m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:18PM0.45m | 3:27AM0.56m | 3:43PM0.57m | 5:27AM0.59m | 5:54PM0.59m | 7:11AM0.48m | 7:30PM0.46m | 8:12AM0.32m | 8:30PM0.31m | 8:57AM0.17m | 9:17PM0.18m | 9:35AM0.05m | 9:57PM0.08m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | |  | | |  |  |  |  |  | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — |
 | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — |
mm | — | — | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 21 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 23 | 24 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 16 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 22 | 23 | 18 | 15 | 14 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 17 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 10 | SSW 15 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 |
| kJ | 149 | 118 | 595 | 294 | 210 | 475 | 221 | 225 | 128 | 372 | 67 | 46 | 44 | 1177 | 444 | 1095 | 1025 | 418 | 270 | 224 | 222 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SSW 15 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | ENE 9 | SE 8 | SW 13 | SSW 15 | E 10 | SSW 11 | SE 8 | E 10 | S 9 | E 10 | S 11 | E 9 |
| kJ | 251 | 191 | 94 | 85 | 85 | 64 | 461 | 362 | 250 | 115 | 14 | 87 | 42 | 48 | 107 | 210 | 65 | 224 | 179 | 178 | 139 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | — | — | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | — | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | S 13 | SSW 12 | S 10 | SSW 11 | S 10 |
| kJ | 18 | 18 | 13 | 53 | 67 | — | — | 11 | 19 | 20 | 9 | — | 47 | 46 | 45 | 68 | 14 | 299 | 133 | 81 | 128 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 6 | S 6 | — | — | — | NE 5 | NE 6 | — | SSW 4 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | SSW 8 | SSE 9 | — | SSW 11 | — | SE 8 | — | — | E 9 | ESE 8 |
| kJ | 132 | 76 | — | — | — | 51 | 77 | — | 32 | 34 | 736 | 827 | 1696 | — | 436 | — | 264 | — | — | 173 | 293 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 39 | 500 | 1 | 0 | 261 | 254 | 16 | 20 | 0 | 39 | 2846 | 706 | 1000 | 114 | 1 | 20 | 998 | 0 | 0 | 316 | 10 |
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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