Whale Rock Surf Break

Lat Long: 31.94° S 29.22° E

Whale Rock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 28 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whale Rock sea temperature is
22.0° C
1.4° 

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 28 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 29 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 8s period, SE swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 2 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 11s period, E swell with 1,289 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 29 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 8s period with SE 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 Wednesday (Jul 29) at 2PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 1.6m and 8s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Whale Rock in the next 16 days are 2.4m 11s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.4m 10s period and expected on Monday (Aug 03) at 8PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2PM (Wed 29th Jul)6ft (1.9m) 8s
Best Surf 2PM (Wed 29th Jul)6ft (1.9m) 8s
Most Powerful 8PM (Sun 2nd Aug)8ft (2.4m) 11s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, surfers, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’ve got a tricky 16-day window ahead, with some real gems lurking if you’re patient and picky. The start is a bit of a slow burner, but the finish line has some serious potential.

The first few days are a bit of a mixed bag. For Tuesday, July 28th, the waves are a bit jumbled. Whale Rock is seeing 8ft of SSE swell with a short 8 second period, and the wind is a messy cross-shore. The water is a touch warmer than normal at 72°, about 3° above average for the time of year. The energy is high (1179), but it’s just not clean. The highlight of the early part is Wednesday afternoon, July 29th. The swell drops to 6ft from the SE, still short period, but the wind goes glassy. That’s a major positive. The ocean will be smooth, and while the energy is moderate (889), the clean conditions will make it surfable. Thursday morning, July 30th, offers a clean 7ft SE swell with a cross-offshore wind, making it a decent option.

After that, it gets rough. From Friday, July 31st, through to Wednesday, August 5th, the wind is a relentless onshore from the NE, blowing out the surf. The waves are there, but the quality is poor. The energy is moderate to strong (up to 1269), but it’s just not worth paddling out in. This is a real gap in quality surf.

There’s a slight shift on Thursday, August 6th, with a 5ft SSW swell, but the wind is still a cross-onshore. The following days are small and messy, with a few 3ft SSW swells and periods climbing to 15 seconds. This is a groundswell, but the wind is either cross or cross-on, so it’s just teasing.

Now, the real standouts are at the very end of the window, and they’re worth waiting for. The first big one is on Tuesday, August 11th. The morning shows a 10ft swell from the SW with a 17 second period. That’s a very long period groundswell. The combined energy is a massive 5802, so it’s pumping. The wind is a gentle cross-onshore, so it’s not perfect, but the size and power are undeniable. This is a big, powerful swell that will be best for experienced surfers looking for a challenge at a reef break like Whale Rock, as the long period will make it wall up nicely.

But the absolute best on offer is Wednesday, August 12th. The morning brings a massive 18ft swell from the south with a 12 second period. The energy is colossal at 8516. The wind is a light cross-shore, which is about as good as you can ask for with that size. This is a monster swell. For the second day, August 12th, the afternoon stays big with a 16ft south swell and 7772 energy. Both of these are over 8ft, so this is strictly for experts only. Whale Rock is a reef break, so it will handle this long period S swell well, but be prepared for a serious session. This is the one to circle on your calendar.

Stay safe, pick your days, and I’ll see you out there.

- Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 63mm), heaviest during Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri morning, min 13°C on Wed afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NE on Sun afternoon, light winds from the N by Sun night).

Tue
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
0
2
3
3
3
1
3
1
0
1
1
0
1
0
0
2
0
0
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.3
SSE
8
2.5
SE
8
1
SSW
14
1.8
SE
8
1
SSW
15
2
SE
9
2
SE
9
1.9
SE
9
1.9
ESE
9
1.8
SE
9
1.9
ESE
9
1.8
E
10
2.2
E
9
1.9
E
9
1.9
E
10
2.3
E
10
2.2
E
10
2
E
10
2.1
E
10
2
E
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
686
886
419
435
405
626
626
586
591
528
573
612
792
606
687
1152
987
769
838
739
Wind (km/h)
20
S
25
ESE
10
E
5
ENE
15
WSW
20
SW
20
SSW
0
SSW
15
E
20
ENE
15
NNE
25
NE
35
NE
25
NNE
30
NE
35
NE
20
NNE
20
NE
25
NE
10
NNE
Wind State
cross
on
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross
glassy
on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
3:38PM1.42m
3:43AM1.50m
4:08PM1.52m
4:12AM1.56m
4:36PM1.59m
4:40AM1.59m
5:04PM1.64m
5:09AM1.59m
5:33PM1.66m
5:38AM1.57m
6:02PM1.65m
6:08AM1.51m
6:33PM1.60m
Low Tide
9:37PM0.31m
9:55AM0.17m
10:08PM0.24m
10:22AM0.10m
10:37PM0.19m
10:49AM0.06m
11:07PM0.17m
11:17AM0.05m
11:37PM0.17m
11:45AM0.07m
00:09AM0.20m
12:15PM0.12m
00:43AM0.25m
heavy rain
mod rain
mod rain
heavy rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:54
6:52
6:52
6:52
6:50
6:50
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:23
5:23
5:24
5:25
5:25
5:27
5:28
 mm
14
10
9
15
7
3
1
4
Temp °C
17
16
15
13
15
15
17
16
18
18
17
17
18
16
17
19
17
19
21
19
Feels °C
13
13
12
13
13
12
12
14
15
15
14
13
13
11
11
12
12
15
17
17
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  • 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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