
Surf Forecasts:
Whale Rock surf forecast from 10 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 10 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 10 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, SSW swell with 2,815 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 10 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s 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 Friday (Jul 10) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 14s 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 2.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 10) at 11AM. 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 Tuesday (Jul 14) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Fri 10th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Fri 10th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Fri 10th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whale Rock over the next 16 days.
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the table for our local stretch.
Honestly, this forecast is a bit of a mixed bag. We’ve got a big run of small, messy or just plain poor conditions through the first week, but then a couple of really promising windows pop up toward the end of the second week that could be the real deal. Just be prepared for a lot of “meh” before the “hell yeah.”
Starting things off, we’ve got Whale Rock coming into Friday, July 10th. The swell is a solid 8 ft from the SSW, with a period of 14 seconds – that’s a proper groundswell with some real grunt. The combined energy is a hefty 2822, so there’s plenty of power in the water. But the wind is a cross-shore SSW breeze at 9 mph, and the water temperature is sitting at 71°, which is about a degree and a half warmer than usual for this time of year. The problem is it’s a marginal surf forecast with questionable tide conditions, so it’s not going to be clean. This is an advanced reef break, so if you’re a beginner, stay well away – 8 ft over a reef is not your playground. Saturday morning, July 11, drops a touch to 7 ft S swell with a 13-second period, and the wind is lighter but still cross-shore. The energy is down to 1379, so it’s weaker. Still, the forecast is marginal. Sunday the 12th is a write-off with rain showers, onshore wind, and a messy 5 ft swell.
There’s a bit of a gap here with nothing really worth jumping in for. Monday morning, July 13, we get a tiny 5 ft E swell, but the period is a short 8 seconds. The energy is a weak 495. The wind is glassy though, which is rare, so the surface will be clean. But the waves will be weak and fat. That’s the only glimmer until Wednesday morning, July 15. That morning is a standout early in the period. We’ve got a 6 ft E swell with a 10-second period, so the shape should be better, and the combined energy is 661. The wind is glassy again, and the forecast says “expect very good surf conditions.” This is the best bet for the first week. The crowd situation at Whale Rock is only “sometimes,” so you might have it to yourself. But it’s an advanced break, so it’s not for everyone.
The rest of that week and into the next is a bit of a desert. Thursday, July 16, is marginal, and Friday the 17th is a loss with a strong NE wind creating chop. Saturday the 18th gets a bit bigger with an 8 ft SSW swell in the afternoon, but the wind is a fresh 22 mph, making a lumpy mess. The energy is 1410, but it’s not surfable. Sunday morning, July 19, is interesting. We’ve got an 8 ft SSW swell with a very long 15-second period, and the energy is massive at 3021. The wind is light and cross-shore, and the forecast is “marginal” but scores a 4, which is the highest all period. This is a true standout for experts. That long period, groundswell, will be walling up, but it’s best for a reef or point break. Whale Rock is a reef, so that’s a good match. The crowd is “sometimes,” so you might have it to yourself if you’re keen.
Then, Monday morning, July 20, is another major highlight. The swell is 7 ft from the S, with a 12-second period, and energy is 1238. The wind is glassy, and the forecast says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” This is a clean, powerful wave for the advanced crew. The 7 ft is on the edge of being too big for beginners, so only the solid surfers should be out.
The very end of the period, Wednesday, July 22, is a bit of a tease. The swell is 8 ft from the SSW with a 17-second period, and the energy is a massive 3536. But the wind is onshore and choppy, so it’s a write-off. Thursday morning, July 23, is back to a 6 ft swell with a 14-second period, and the wind is cross-shore, but the afternoon cleans up with a cross-off breeze and a “very good” forecast. That’s your last call.
Overall, the best on offer is the glassy, clean windows on Wednesday morning, July 15, for the weaker but cleaner E swell, and then the Sunday morning, July 19, and Monday morning, July 20, for the bigger, more powerful groundswell with light winds. The 8 ft+ stuff is strictly for experts. Don’t get your hopes up for the first few days or the middle of the second week. It’s a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 30mm), heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri afternoon, min 15°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Mon afternoon, min 15°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 13 | S 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | ESE 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
2815 | 2659 | 1568 | 1379 | 1468 | 905 | 514 | 293 | 285 | 292 | 443 | 516 | 249 | 406 | 587 | 635 | 580 | 637 | 450 | 468 | 345 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | off | glassy | cross-on | off | cross | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:00PM1.13m | 00:35AM1.36m | 1:20PM1.23m | 1:45AM1.45m | 2:22PM1.36m | 2:41AM1.54m | 3:13PM1.49m | 3:30AM1.62m | 3:59PM1.61m | 4:14AM1.65m | 4:42PM1.68m | 4:55AM1.65m | 5:23PM1.71m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:57PM0.49m | 7:07AM0.40m | 7:18PM0.40m | 8:09AM0.29m | 8:22PM0.30m | 9:00AM0.17m | 9:16PM0.19m | 9:45AM0.08m | 10:04PM0.13m | 10:26AM0.02m | 10:48PM0.10m | 11:05AM0.00m | 11:30PM0.13m | ||||||||
7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | |
— | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | |
mm | — | — | 3 | — | 1 | 16 | 5 | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | ENE 8 | SSW 13 | S 13 | S 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SE 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
2815 | 13 | 1568 | 1379 | 1468 | 905 | 514 | 293 | 105 | 292 | 307 | 516 | 249 | 406 | 587 | 635 | 580 | 637 | 450 | 468 | 345 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 5 | SSE 7 | S 13 | E 6 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SW 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 13 |
16 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 32 | 77 | 3 | 81 | 198 | 223 | 48 | 232 | 189 | 25 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 135 | 128 | 282 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 13 | SE 13 | — | — | — | E 9 | — | — | S 11 | SE 11 | SSE 8 | SSW 11 | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | S 9 | E 5 |
7 | 7 | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | 256 | 5 | 6 | 47 | 28 | 48 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 2 | 12 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 14 | — | — | — | E 5 | ENE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | — | E 8 | ENE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 5 |
— | 2659 | — | — | — | 52 | 56 | 236 | 285 | — | 443 | 773 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 26 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 39 | 0 | 1 | 70 | 4 | 133 | 186 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 133 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
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.










