Surf Forecasts:
Whale Rock surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 12s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 17s period, SSW swell with 2,437 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 11s 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 Saturday (Jul 18) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m 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 2.1m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 7s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whale Rock over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk about Whale Rock. This is a reef break that’s strictly for advanced surfers, and it’s inconsistent – it doesn’t fire all the time, but when it does, it can be special. The best windows are coming in the next week or so, but you’ve got to pick your moments because the wind and swell aren’t always cooperating.
We’re starting off Saturday morning, July 18, with a small but clean 2.6 ft S swell rolling in at 13 seconds – glassy conditions, so it’s pretty tidy. The energy is moderate (470), nothing massive, but the light air makes it look inviting for a morning session. That same afternoon, the swell picks up to 4.6 ft, but the wind swings cross-shore and the conditions get a bit messy – not the best call.
Sunday the 19th morning is another glassy one: 4.3 ft S swell, 11-second period, clean and clear. Nice. The afternoon turns onshore and gets a bit lumpy, so stick to the morning.
Now, Monday July 20 is where things start to get interesting. The morning delivers 5.2 ft from the SE with a 12-second period, and the wind is cross-offshore – clean, strong energy (1150). That’s a solid session
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sat afternoon, min 15°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Tue afternoon, min 16°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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 11 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SE 11 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 325 | 222 | 544 | 394 | 375 | 553 | 977 | 748 | 678 | 593 | 320 | 288 | 400 | 453 | 362 | 152 | 436 | 530 | 328 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross | off | glassy | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 6:10AM1.52m | 6:40PM1.62m | 6:47AM1.42m | 7:18PM1.51m | 7:23AM1.30m | 7:56PM1.39m | 8:04AM1.18m | 8:41PM1.26m | 8:56AM1.06m | 9:43PM1.15m | 10:27AM0.98m | 11:22PM1.10m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:10AM0.19m | 12:17PM0.09m | 00:48AM0.28m | 12:52PM0.20m | 1:27AM0.38m | 1:28PM0.32m | 2:08AM0.49m | 2:08PM0.45m | 2:59AM0.58m | 2:59PM0.58m | 4:14AM0.66m | 4:23PM0.67m | |||||||
 |  |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — |
 | 5:16 | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 22 | 24 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SE 11 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | ENE 7 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 325 | 123 | 544 | 394 | 375 | 553 | 977 | 748 | 678 | 593 | 320 | 288 | 121 | 453 | 362 | 152 | 436 | 530 | 328 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SE 13 | SSE 11 | S 10 | E 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | ENE 6 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | ENE 8 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | ENE 8 | SE 11 |
| kJ | 159 | 125 | 127 | 170 | 200 | 237 | 52 | 402 | 326 | 98 | 31 | 277 | 400 | 83 | 144 | 112 | 68 | 37 | 31 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | S 13 | SW 11 | E 10 | SE 13 | E 10 | S 10 | ENE 10 | E 10 | NE 4 | SSW 16 | SSW 11 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SE 12 | NE 7 |
| kJ | 40 | 222 | 137 | 96 | 208 | 71 | 48 | 33 | 31 | 9 | 151 | 76 | 231 | 193 | 64 | 34 | 36 | 65 | 9 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 8 | — | — | NE 4 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | SW 4 | — | SSW 5 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 135 | — | — | 28 | 67 | 140 | 191 | 15 | — | 51 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 289 | 0 | 16 | 186 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 401 | 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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