Surf Forecasts:
Whale Rock surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 9s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 3 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, S swell with 2,111 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 9s period with S 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 Sunday (Aug 30) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 9s 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 3.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 03) 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 2.2m 9s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sun 30th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sun 30th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whale Rock over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a yarn about what’s coming up.
We’ve only got one spot on the radar for the next 16 days, and that’s Whale Rock – a reef break for the advanced crew. It’s inconsistent, so we’re not looking at a non-stop party. Most of the outlook is a bit of a write-off, to be honest. There’s a long dry spell from now until the end of August, with nothing but poor conditions on offer. The water’s sitting at 69°, which is pretty much average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The first hint of life shows up on Monday, 31 August, in the morning. We’ve got a 4ft swell from the east, a 9-second period, and the kicker – glassy conditions. The combined energy is moderate (303), and the word on the street is “good surf conditions.” It’s small and clean, so if you’re an early bird and you can handle an inconsistent reef, this is your window. The afternoon turns a bit rubbish with a light cross-onshore, so make the most of the morning glass.
After that, it’s back to poor surf and messy wind through the start of September. There’s a notable spike on Thursday, 3 September, in the afternoon – a big 12ft swell from the south with a short 8-second period, and a strong 25 mph cross-offshore wind keeping things clean despite the size. The combined energy is pumping at a very strong 1627. But this is a reef break, and 12ft is only for experts. It’s a wildcard.
The true standout, though, is Sunday, 6 September, in the morning. Glassy conditions again, with a 7ft swell from the SSW, a nice 13-second period, and a combined energy reading of 1608 – that’s a proper dump of energy. The report says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers,” and I’m inclined to agree. This is the best on offer. Clean, solid, and with that long period making it peel nicely over the reef. Crowds are possible here, but for a wave this good, it’s worth sharing.
The rest of the second week fades into smaller, wind-affected slop, with only a few marginal calls. Saturday, 12 September, in the afternoon, could offer a final little glassy window with a 2ft, 15-second period groundswell – small but clean. But don’t hold your breath.
So, if you’re keen, mark your calendar for Monday morning the 31st for a small glassy session, and Sunday morning the 6th of September for the real deal. The rest is best spent tuning your rails.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Warm (max 24°C on Sat afternoon, min 15°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Sat night, calm by Mon morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 34mm), heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 20°C on Tue afternoon, min 17°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the ESE on Wed afternoon, strong winds from the SSW by Thu afternoon). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 12 | S 11 | S 7 | S 6 | S 10 | E 9 | E 9 | S 8 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | S 12 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
137 | 63 | 148 | 99 | 196 | 217 | 207 | 30 | 51 | 120 | 253 | 425 | 603 | 350 | 213 | 1627 | 987 | 321 | 311 | 472 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 4:35PM1.77m | 4:44AM1.67m | 5:02PM1.78m | 5:12AM1.64m | 5:31PM1.75m | 5:42AM1.57m | 6:02PM1.67m | 6:14AM1.47m | 6:36PM1.54m | 6:50AM1.33m | 7:17PM1.38m | 7:37AM1.16m | 8:19PM1.19m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:42PM0.04m | 10:48AM-0.03m | 11:10PM0.05m | 11:15AM0.00m | 11:41PM0.09m | 11:45AM0.07m | 00:13AM0.18m | 12:18PM0.18m | 00:49AM0.31m | 12:55PM0.33m | 1:36AM0.46m | 1:46PM0.51m | 2:53AM0.62m | |||||||
— | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | |
5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 28 | 3 | 3 | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 23 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
Feels °C | 21 | 21 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | E 9 | ENE 9 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 |
137 | 485 | 271 | 289 | 288 | 217 | 207 | 196 | 254 | 238 | 134 | 425 | 603 | 350 | 213 | 39 | 28 | 321 | 311 | 276 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | S 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | S 10 | SSW 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 7 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | ENE 8 | S 6 | E 8 | E 8 | NE 8 | SSW 16 | S 8 | S 8 | S 12 |
10 | 63 | 23 | 22 | 196 | 75 | 44 | 30 | 16 | 120 | 253 | 92 | 46 | 71 | 51 | 9 | 26 | 149 | 203 | 472 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | — | SSE 14 | SE 13 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSW 11 | SW 14 | S 7 | — | S 12 | ENE 9 | NE 8 | NE 8 | — | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 15 |
7 | — | 18 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 51 | 8 | — | 3 | 79 | 9 | 2 | — | 50 | 188 | 204 | 176 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | SSW 6 | S 7 | S 6 | — | — | ESE 3 | E 4 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | SSW 4 | SSW 6 | — | — | — | S 8 | SSE 8 | — | — | — |
1182 | 144 | 148 | 99 | — | — | 1 | 13 | 135 | 114 | 25 | 58 | — | — | — | 1627 | 987 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 589 | 114 | 114 | 114 | 0 | 0 | 54 | 0 | 114 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 238 | 37 | 39 | 959 | 1687 | 1037 | 1026 | 238 |
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.











