Surf Forecasts:
Whale Rock surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 16 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 11s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 15s period, SSW swell with 1,024 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 15 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 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 Saturday (Aug 15) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 4s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Whale Rock in the next 16 days are 1.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 2AM. 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 7s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5PM (Sat 15th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whale Rock over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let’s talk about Whale Rock over the next couple of weeks.
Look, I’ll be straight with you – this is a tough run for Whale Rock. For the first week and a half, the wind is mostly cross, cross-on, or onshore, and the surf is small. There’s just no quality on offer. From Saturday the 15th through to about Thursday the 22nd, it’s a whole lot of nothing. We’ve got a long stretch of poor-to-marginal conditions where the wind just won’t give us a break. The water temperature is hanging around 70°, which is within the normal range for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The real action, and the only standout, arrives on Sunday the 23rd of August. You’ll want to keep an eye on that morning. We’ve got a massive 18 ft SSW groundswell rolling in with a 15-second period, and the energy is absolutely pumping. Winds are blowing cross-offshore at 25 mph, which will keep the surface clean. But here’s the catch: this is an advanced-only reef break, and that swell is way too big for anyone who isn’t an expert. It’s inconsistent, and crowds are possible, so be ready for a crew. The swell is coming from the SSW, which matches the optimum direction for this spot, so it’ll set up well.
That big energy carries through into Monday the 24th with 11-12 ft swell from the south, periods around 16-17 seconds. The morning looks clean with light cross-onshore winds. It’s still heavy, still for experts only, but the quality is there. By Tuesday the 25th, the swell drops to about 8 ft, but the wind swings NE and cranks up, making it messy. After that, it fades out fast.
So, the call here is simple: the whole run is a grind except for that one fiery Sunday and maybe Monday. If you’re a solid surfer who knows the rock, the 23rd morning is the one. Otherwise, save the diesel and wait for the next window.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sun afternoon, min 16°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 21°C on Wed afternoon, min 16°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | |||||||||||||||
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) | E 11 | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | SW 12 | SSW 16 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 143 | 347 | 375 | 231 | 284 | 23 | 24 | 346 | 235 | 179 | 136 | 101 | 384 | 427 | 331 | 237 | 452 | 1024 | 529 | 317 | 156 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:32PM1.77m | 5:40AM1.59m | 6:02PM1.69m | 6:09AM1.49m | 6:31PM1.56m | 6:38AM1.37m | 6:59PM1.42m | 7:06AM1.24m | 7:29PM1.27m | 7:37AM1.10m | 8:07PM1.12m | 8:30AM0.96m | 9:52PM0.99m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 1:10PM0.43m | 1:42AM0.55m | 1:43PM0.58m | 2:33AM0.68m | 2:43PM0.72m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — |
 | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 19 | 18 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 27 |
Feels °C | 17 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | E 10 | E 11 | E 7 | E 11 | ENE 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | ENE 7 |
| kJ | 121 | 347 | 375 | 113 | 284 | 894 | 525 | 346 | 235 | 179 | 136 | 101 | 384 | 427 | 331 | 237 | 452 | 1024 | 529 | 317 | 91 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | SSW 4 | S 12 | E 11 | S 10 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 15 | SSW 12 | SW 9 | SW 15 | S 6 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | — | — | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 143 | 3 | 11 | 231 | 8 | 23 | 11 | 36 | 101 | 21 | 56 | 24 | 74 | 73 | 69 | 33 | 32 | 21 | — | — | 156 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | S 11 | SW 12 | S 10 | SSW 16 | SW 11 | — | SW 16 | SSW 8 | SW 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 20 | 20 | 7 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 24 | 29 | — | 67 | 6 | 100 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 84 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 2 | — | ENE 11 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | — | — | — | — | SSE 5 | E 4 | ENE 5 | E 6 | ENE 6 | WNW 3 |
| kJ | 2 | — | 541 | 156 | 220 | 650 | 5 | 14 | 10 | 5 | 22 | — | — | — | — | 24 | 11 | 42 | 76 | 115 | 2 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 20 | 0 | 16 | 221 | 266 | 3 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 39 | 1 | 3 | 186 | 43 | 1 | 1 | 39 | 16 | 289 | 289 | 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.
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