Whale Rock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here again, talking about Whale Rock.

We’re looking at a tricky couple of weeks. This is an advanced reef break, exposed to the swell, but it’s inconsistent – it doesn’t just switch on. There’s some solid swell pulses coming through, but the wind is often working against us, and a lot of sessions are marginal. You gotta be picky.

Water temp is around 71° right now, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – nothing wild, but you’ll feel it.

Friday morning, August 21st, is the first real chance. We’ve got a 5ft SSW swell with a 13-second period and light offshore SE wind at 3 mph. The combined energy is moderate (653), and it’s clean. The direction isn’t perfect, but that offshore wind makes it look tidy. It’s only a marginal call though. By the afternoon, the wind turns cross-onshore and it gets messy.

Saturday the 22nd has a morning cross-shore wind and a 4ft SSW swell (631 energy) – rideable but not clean. The afternoon is a different beast: 10ft of SSW swell but with a short 8-second period and a brutal 34 mph cross-offshore wind. That’s a raw, lumpy mess. The energy is strong (1116), but it’s way too big for most, and the wind kills any chance of order.

Sunday the 23rd morning sees 8ft SSW swell (1581 energy) but with a 12 mph cross-shore wind and a 9-second period. It’s powerful but choppy and messy. Not the day.

Monday the 24th drops right off – tiny 3ft swell, clean wind but hardly enough to paddle for.

Tuesday the 25th morning offers a 5ft SSW swell with a long 16-second period and light cross-on wind. That long period (928 energy) means better shaped waves, but at a beach setup it might break a bit straight. Still, worth a look if you can handle the lineup.

The standout of the whole run looks to be Wednesday morning, August 26th. 7ft S swell with a 16-second period and very light cross-on wind (3 mph). The combined energy is strong (2350), and that long-period groundswell will have plenty of push. It’s too big for beginners, but for the advanced crew, this is the best on offer. Crowds are possible, so get in early.

From Wednesday afternoon onward, the wind gets nasty – strong cross-onshore, lumpy, messy. Swell stays solid through Thursday and Friday, but the conditions are blown out. The next chance after that is Sunday, August 30th morning: 10ft SSW swell with 12-second period and cross-shore wind (2326 energy). It’s big and raw, with a cross-chop, but the energy is there. Sunday afternoon looks even bigger at 12ft and 15-second period (4618 energy) – that’s a serious groundswell, but again, cross-shore wind. Only for experts.

The first week of September is small and weak, with combined energy dropping below 300. A few clean spells on the 3rd and 4th, but the swell is tiny. The 4th and 5th have strong winds again, making it a write-off.

So, the pick of the lot is Wednesday morning, August 26th at Whale Rock – that long-period S groundswell with light wind is your best bet. Sunday the 30th afternoon has massive size for the brave, but the wind holds it back.

This is Rusty, signing off.

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