Surf Forecasts:
Whale Rock surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 15 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 10s period, E swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 19 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, ESE swell with 2,622 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 13s 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 (Sep 14) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 13s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Whale Rock in the next 16 days are 4.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 19) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 4.5m 11s period and expected on Monday (Sep 14) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Mon 14th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Tue 15th Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sat 19th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whale Rock over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let's talk about what's cookin' here at Whale Rock.
First up, it's gonna be a long wait. The first week is pretty grim. Starting Saturday the 12th, we're looking at a solid cross-onshore wind that's just wrecking everything. The water is bone-chilling cold at 62°, which is a massive 7° colder than normal (much colder than normal). You're gonna need a thick suit. The swell energy is weak at first, and it’s all just choppy and lumpy. Don't even bother.
A little bump shows up around Tuesday the 15th and Wednesday the 16th, but the wind is still sideways and the tide is questionable. It’s just not happening.
Now, if you can wait, the Monday the 21st morning is the only real standout in this whole run. We get a clean 7ft swell from the East, with a moderate energy level (1027). The wind shifts light from the NW, giving us a nice cross-offshore breeze. The report says it’s clean and excellent for experienced surfers. For an advanced, inconsistent reef break like this, that’s the golden ticket. Anything over 5ft here gets heavy, and at over 7ft, this is strictly for the crew who know the lineup.
After that, it’s back to the dirty stuff. The rest of the week and into the next is full of onshore winds, rain, and messy conditions. There's a hint of a cleaner window on the 26th (Saturday afternoon) with a cross-offshore wind and a long-period swell, but it's nothing special.
So, the verdict is harsh but honest. For the first 9 or 10 days, save your energy. If you’re an expert and you can make that Monday the 21st work, that is the one to aim for. The second week looks pretty flat and uncertain, so don't get your hopes up.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 24°C on Mon night, min 19°C on Mon night). Mainly strong winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 63mm), heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 20°C on Tue night, min 15°C on Thu afternoon). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, strong winds from the S by Wed night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | SSW 17 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSE 7 | S 8 | SSE 8 | S 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 170 | 657 | 669 | 1275 | 2109 | 102 | 86 | 1020 | 802 | 561 | 216 | 77 | 302 | 1418 | 1076 | 357 | 647 | 634 | 664 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 4:40AM1.67m | 4:57PM1.78m | 5:08AM1.61m | 5:23PM1.69m | 5:34AM1.52m | 5:48PM1.56m | 5:59AM1.41m | 6:12PM1.42m | 6:23AM1.28m | 6:36PM1.27m | 6:48AM1.13m | 7:04PM1.12m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:38PM0.01m | 10:42AM-0.02m | 11:05PM0.05m | 11:09AM0.05m | 11:31PM0.13m | 11:35AM0.15m | 11:56PM0.24m | 12:00PM0.28m | 00:22AM0.37m | 12:26PM0.43m | 00:49AM0.51m | 12:53PM0.58m | 1:27AM0.65m | ||||||
 |  |  | |  | |  | | |  | | |  |  |  |  | |  | | |
 | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — |
 | 5:52 | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — |
mm | 2 | 2 | — | 4 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 11 | 2 | 21 | 16 | 10 | 22 |
Temp °C | 20 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 18 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 25 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 18 | 15 | 19 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | ENE 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 10 | SSE 7 | E 10 | E 10 | S 8 | SE 8 | E 10 | SE 9 |
| kJ | 57 | 657 | 612 | 334 | 168 | 102 | 2310 | 1020 | 802 | 561 | 450 | 410 | 192 | 240 | 250 | 217 | 647 | 92 | 664 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 10 | S 9 | S 10 | SW 14 | — | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | S 10 | SSW 16 | SW 12 | ENE 10 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SE 9 | E 10 | SSW 14 | E 9 |
| kJ | 164 | 33 | 27 | 7 | 431 | — | 86 | 51 | 40 | 18 | 51 | 77 | 349 | 215 | 87 | 164 | 125 | 138 | 83 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 19 | SSW 16 | S 11 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | — | SW 13 | ENE 10 | SSW 12 | — | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 55 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 25 | 10 | 25 | 104 | — | 253 | 173 | 53 | — | 220 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 10 | ENE 10 | — | — | — | — | SW 12 | SSW 5 | SSE 7 | S 8 | SSE 8 | S 8 | — | SE 8 | — |
| kJ | 170 | 397 | 669 | 1275 | 2109 | 3488 | — | — | — | — | 216 | 39 | 302 | 1418 | 1076 | 357 | — | 634 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 289 | 289 | 289 | 412 | 266 | 266 | 1 | 21 | 330 | 0 | 39 | 39 | 1 | 171 | 39 | 20 | 372 | 1069 | 643 |
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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