Whale Rock Surf Break

Lat Long: 31.94° S 29.22° E

Whale Rock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 30 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whale Rock sea temperature is
22.1° C
1.5° 

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 30 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 2 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 12s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 2 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 12s period, ESE swell with 1,425 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 31 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 9s 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 Friday (Jul 31) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 13s. 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 2.3m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Fri 31st Jul)7ft (2.1m) 9s
Best Surf 2AM (Sun 2nd Aug)7ft (2.2m) 12s
Most Powerful 5AM (Sun 2nd Aug)7.5ft (2.3m) 12s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here with a look at what's coming down the pipe for our little corner of the lineup. It's a story of two weeks for sure. The first few days are just survival stuff, but if you can wait, the second week has some serious muscle on the way. Just know that this is a big-wave spot, so the good stuff is for experienced hands only.

We’re talking about Whale Rock, that exposed reef break that can go off when it wants to. It's inconsistent, which means when it's on, it's a real special wave. The crowds are only "sometimes" a hassle here, so you get some peace.

So, starting off on Thursday the 30th of July and Friday the 31st, it’s a grovel. We've got a 7 ft swell from the SE with a short 9-second period, but a cross-shore wind and a moderate breeze are just chopping everything up. The combined energy is moderate, about 1,092 to 1,109. This is more of a kite-surfing situation with that cross-off wind. Not a paddle boarder's friend.

That same messy vibe sticks around through the weekend into Monday the 3rd of August. The swell hangs around 5 to 7 ft, but it's cross-on from the NE, keeping it lumpy. The energy is dropping back into the 600s. The waves are there, but you’ll be fighting for a clean one.

Tuesday the 4th of August is a flat-out dud. Swell drops to 3 ft, and the energy is a weak 217. Better off changing the wax. Wednesday the 5th gives a brief moment of hope with a glassy morning and a 5 ft swell, but the period is a short 8 seconds, so it’ll be weak and soft.

Then we hit a blank stretch. From Thursday the 6th through Saturday the 8th, it’s flat to barely knee-high. The swells are around 3 ft, the energy is below 400, and the wind is messy. Don't bother.

Now, here’s the main event. Look at Sunday the 9th of August. The wind goes clean and cross-off from the SW, and the swell jumps to 10 ft from the SSW. The energy surges back to 1,208, a strong reading. That’s the door opening. The true standout, however, is Monday the 10th of August. The morning is going to be absolute fire. We’re talking a solid 12 ft of SSW groundswell, a nice 11-second period, a clean offshore breeze, and the combined energy is a massive 2,918. This is strong, powerful stuff. This is a heavy, hollow reef wave for experts only. The afternoon only gets bigger, hitting 10 ft with a 14-second period and an energy reading of 4,314, but the wind turns a bit cross-shore. The morning is the time. Tuesday the 11th is the absolute peak: a 10 ft south swell, a long 16-second period, and an eye-watering 5,302 combined energy. It'll be huge. The NE cross-on wind will put a bit of texture on it, but for an advanced surfer on a reef, that’s a world-class paddle out.

It fades through Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of the second week, dropping from 6 ft down to nothing by the end. Thursday the 13th does have a glassy morning with a tiny 2 ft south swell, but it’s too small.

So, the call is simple. If you've got the skills, the standout session is the morning of Monday the 10th of August at Whale Rock. That 12 ft of clean, offshore power is the best on offer. Tuesday the 11th is a close second for sheer size and energy. Anything after Wednesday is a wind-down. Circle that Monday on your calendar.

- Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
30
Friday
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
2
2
1
3
1
1
4
2
1
3
2
1
3
1
0
2
1
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.1
SE
9
2.1
SE
9
2
SE
9
2
SE
9
1.9
SE
9
1.8
ESE
9
1.8
ESE
9
1.9
ESE
10
2.2
ESE
12
2.2
ESE
11
2.2
ESE
11
2
ESE
10
1.9
ESE
10
1.8
ESE
10
1.7
E
10
1.4
E
9
1
ESE
9
1.5
E
9
1.2
E
9
1.1
E
9
0.7
SSW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
727
734
649
664
626
559
554
638
1336
1165
1134
853
720
667
550
339
185
334
224
188
220
Wind (km/h)
25
SW
20
SSW
10
SSW
10
SE
10
E
10
N
10
NE
15
ENE
10
NNW
15
NE
20
ENE
10
NNW
10
NE
15
NE
10
N
10
NNE
20
NE
10
NNW
5
S
5
S
10
W
Wind State
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
glassy
cross-off
High Tide
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
6:42AM1.42m
7:09PM1.52m
7:20AM1.31m
7:53PM1.41m
Low Tide
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
12:48PM0.20m
1:23AM0.34m
1:27PM0.32m
2:13AM0.45m
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:52
6:52
6:52
6:50
6:50
6:50
6:48
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:24
5:25
5:25
5:27
5:28
5:28
5:29
 mm
3
1
Temp °C
17
18
17
17
17
16
15
16
15
17
19
17
21
22
20
26
28
23
21
21
18
Feels °C
12
13
14
15
14
14
13
13
12
14
16
15
19
19
17
22
24
20
21
21
18
  • 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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