Surf Forecasts:
Whale Rock surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 13 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 10s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, SSW swell with 746 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 10s period with E 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 Thursday (Aug 13) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 1.5m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 1.0m and 8s is also forecast. 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 2.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) 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 2.5m 8s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whale Rock over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it.
First up, the outlook for Whale Rock is looking pretty grim for the next couple of weeks. This is a reef break that's known for being inconsistent, and honestly, we’re in a pretty flat and windy patch right now. The combined wave energy isn't much to shout about, ranging from low to moderate, and we've got a run of cross-onshore winds that are making things choppy and messy.
The first real standout in the period is a long way off, so get ready for a long gap. We're looking at the morning of Friday, August 22nd, where things start to get more interesting. A powerful SSW groundswell sets up with a period of 9 seconds and a height around 7 ft. The combined energy is a solid 1244 and we get those crucial light winds, going cross-shore. This is the best call of the whole outlook, but only for the true experts – this is heavy wave territory.
Before that late-August action, it’s mostly a write-off. Throughout most of the first week (from August 12th through the 21st), the wind is blasting onshore or cross-shore at moderate to fresh strengths, often with rain, so the surface will be choppy and lumpy. There are a few sessions with marginal surf or tricky tides, but nothing worth paddling out for unless you just want a battle.
The water temp is sitting at 70° which is about 1° warmer than normal for this time of year. So, it’s a bit balmy, but nothing wild for our area.
Around Saturday, August 23rd and Monday, August 25th we get some groundswell again with longer periods, but the onshore wind picks right back up. The shapes could be there, but the wind will be on top of it, making it another tough paddle.
Bottom line: There’s a whole lot of waiting for one good morning. Mark your calendar for the 22nd at dawn.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Fri afternoon, min 14°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Tue morning, min 17°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | ||||||||||||||
PM | 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) | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 7 | E 7 | SW 16 | E 7 | E 7 | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | S 10 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 5 | E 10 | E 9 | SSW 15 | E 7 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 444 | 482 | 247 | 346 | 239 | 230 | 64 | 311 | 155 | 161 | 524 | 543 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 44 | 231 | 175 | 22 | 138 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | glassy | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:49PM1.69m | 4:02AM1.67m | 4:26PM1.78m | 4:36AM1.68m | 5:00PM1.80m | 5:09AM1.65m | 5:32PM1.77m | 5:40AM1.59m | 6:02PM1.69m | 6:09AM1.49m | 6:31PM1.56m | 6:38AM1.37m | 6:59PM1.42m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:57PM0.08m | 10:10AM-0.03m | 10:33PM0.04m | 10:42AM-0.06m | 11:07PM0.05m | 11:14AM-0.03m | 11:39PM0.10m | 11:43AM0.04m | 00:10AM0.19m | 12:12PM0.15m | 00:39AM0.29m | 12:41PM0.28m | 1:08AM0.42m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — |
 | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — |
mm | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 26 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 24 | 16 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | E 10 | E 9 | SSW 21 | SSW 18 | E 10 | SW 16 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 11 | E 11 | S 10 | ENE 8 | E 10 | ENE 10 | E 10 | E 9 | SSW 10 | E 7 |
| kJ | 250 | 426 | 247 | 346 | 182 | 77 | 64 | 311 | 155 | 146 | 524 | 543 | 8 | 473 | 489 | 328 | 231 | 175 | 9 | 138 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 11 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 8 | SW 14 | SSW 16 | S 9 | SSW 15 | E 10 | E 10 | S 12 | S 11 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | S 5 | S 5 | SSW 15 | SW 14 |
| kJ | 82 | 135 | 53 | 40 | 53 | 103 | 2 | 22 | 141 | 161 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 13 | 4 | 22 | 31 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | S 10 | S 9 | S 11 | S 9 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | S 18 | S 10 | S 10 | — | SSW 16 | SW 11 | S 4 | S 12 |
| kJ | 33 | 121 | 176 | 175 | 16 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 20 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 2 | — | 25 | 19 | 1 | 3 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | ESE 8 | — | E 9 | E 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 11 | ENE 8 | SSW 3 | SSW 5 | — | ENE 2 | ENE 9 | SW 3 |
| kJ | 444 | 482 | — | 343 | 239 | 230 | 385 | 373 | 210 | 206 | 205 | 129 | 792 | 730 | 6 | 44 | — | 1 | 259 | 3 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 643 | 0 | 182 | 289 | 182 | 221 | 412 | 3 | 16 | 186 | 0 | 221 | 186 | 3 | 20 | 1 | 16 | 0 | 214 | 1 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape - Wild Coast | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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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