Whale Rock Surf Break

Lat Long: 31.94° S 29.22° E

Whale Rock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 29 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whale Rock sea temperature is
21.0°C
0.6° 

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 29 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 10s period, E swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 5 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 15s period, SSW swell with 1,460 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 31 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 9s 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 Monday (Aug 31) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 9s period. 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 1.8m 15s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 05) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-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 TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Mon 31st Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 9s
Best Surf 8AM (Mon 31st Aug)3.5ft (1.1m) 10s
Most Powerful 8AM (Sat 5th Sep)6ft (1.8m) 15s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what we've got coming up at Whale Rock.

First off, the water is sitting at a pretty standard 70°, so nothing weird going on there for this time of year. Now, the bad news first: the first few days are a write-off. Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th are a total loss with messy, cross-onshore wind and poor surf. We've got a bit of a lull here with nothing worth paddling out for until things start to shift.

Monday the 31st shows a glimmer of hope in the morning. The wind switches to a light offshore from the ESE, and we get a 4ft swell pushing in from the east with a 9-second period. The combined energy is moderate (295). It's still pretty marginal, but that offshore wind is the key – it could clean it up enough for a sneaky session if you're keen.

The real standout is shaping up for Wednesday the 2nd of September. We've got a solid 4ft groundswell from the SSW with a 14-second period. That's proper energy (553), and while the wind is a light cross-onshore, the long period means better shaped waves and more power. This setup really suits a reef break like Whale Rock. It's an advanced wave, and with that long period, the sets will be well-spaced. Keep an eye on the tide, but this is the best on offer.

Now, looking further out, there's a big, raw pulse of energy forecast for Thursday the 10th of September. We're talking a 13ft to 15ft swell from the east (energy a massive 4101). The period is shorter at 9-10 seconds, which means it's going to be a powerful, lumpy mess with a cross-onshore wind. That kind of size at an exposed reef is strictly for very experienced (and slightly mental) experts only. The conditions are marginal and the wind isn't great, so it's a promise of size but not necessarily quality.

Between those two dates, there are a few days where it's blown out or just too messy. Wednesday morning the 3rd of September has a clean, cross-off wind but a massive 12ft swell from a stormy S direction – again, huge and gnarly. Most of the other days are plagued by strong cross-onshore winds and choppy conditions, especially around the 5th, 6th, and 7th. The 7th of September afternoon actually has clean wind, but the swell is only 3ft, so it's a small, tidy wave.

So, keep your powder dry for the morning of Monday the 31st if you're desperate, or lock in the morning of Wednesday the 2nd for the best chance at a decent session. That long-period SSW groundswell is the one to watch.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Warm (max 26°C on Sat morning, min 15°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Sat night, calm by Mon morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Thu night. Warm (max 21°C on Thu afternoon, min 16°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (calm on Tue afternoon, fresh winds from the SW by Thu afternoon).

Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
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
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
2
1
1
0
1
0
0
1
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
S
12
0.7
S
12
0.5
S
11
1.1
S
6
1.4
S
6
1
S
9
1.1
E
9
0.6
SSW
8
0.4
SSW
7
0.3
SW
14
0.5
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
1.1
SSW
14
1.2
SSW
14
1.1
SSW
13
0.9
SSW
12
3.5
S
8
2.4
SSE
8
1.2
SSW
15
1.3
SSW
15
1.6
SSW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
232
137
63
88
148
158
212
45
15
31
104
243
508
486
418
217
1368
751
588
669
1265
Wind (km/h)
20
NE
30
NE
30
SW
25
SSW
20
SSW
15
SW
5
ESE
15
ENE
10
NNW
5
ESE
5
SE
30
SW
15
S
10
E
10
NNE
15
SSE
40
SW
30
SSW
25
SSE
10
SE
15
NE
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
on
cross-on
cross-off
on
glassy
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
4:35PM1.77m
4:44AM1.67m
5:02PM1.78m
5:12AM1.64m
5:31PM1.75m
5:42AM1.57m
6:02PM1.67m
6:14AM1.47m
6:36PM1.54m
6:50AM1.33m
7:17PM1.38m
7:37AM1.16m
8:19PM1.19m
Low Tide
10:21AM-0.02m
10:42PM0.04m
10:48AM-0.03m
11:10PM0.05m
11:15AM0.00m
11:41PM0.09m
11:45AM0.07m
00:13AM0.18m
12:18PM0.18m
00:49AM0.31m
12:55PM0.33m
1:36AM0.46m
1:46PM0.51m
2:53AM0.62m
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
heavy rain
light rain
cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:24
6:22
6:20
6:20
6:18
6:18
6:16
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:44
5:45
5:45
5:45
5:45
5:46
5:47
 mm
1
3
1
15
2
Temp °C
26
24
22
19
18
16
17
17
17
20
20
18
19
19
19
20
21
18
18
17
16
Feels °C
22
20
21
18
14
13
17
17
16
20
19
17
17
17
17
20
21
13
15
13
13
  • 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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