Whale Rock Surf Break

Lat Long: 31.94° S 29.22° E

Whale Rock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 am 18 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whale Rock sea temperature is
21.6° C
1.2° 

Whale Rock surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Whale Rock surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 15s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 13s period, SSW swell with 5,043 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 6s. 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 4.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 7s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Tue 18th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 9s
Best Surf 8PM (Thu 20th Aug)6.5ft (2.0m) 15s
Most Powerful 8AM (Sun 23rd Aug)13ft (4.0m) 13s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whale Rock over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a long, hard look at what’s coming our way.

First up, the water is sitting at 71°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. Not a bad start.

The next couple of weeks are a bit of a mixed bag. We’ve got a solid window of surf coming, but it’s going to be a long wait for the real magic. For the first few days, things are pretty marginal. We’ve got a gap from the start with no real standout options until we get into the later part of the month.

The real standout in this whole forecast is Whale Rock, and it’s all about the morning of Tuesday, 1st September. The wind is going to be light and offshore, coming from the NW at just 3 mph, which is about as clean as it gets. The swell will be a small but tidy 3 ft from the SSW, with a long period of 13 seconds. That’s proper groundswell energy, and the combined energy is sitting at 384 (moderate). It’s an advanced reef break that’s inconsistent, so when it’s on, it’s a real treat for those who know what they’re doing. Expect clean, glassy faces. The crowds are possible here, so get in early.

Before that, Sunday, 23rd August afternoon shows some promise. We’re looking at a solid 8 ft SSW swell, with a 13-second period, and cross-off winds from the S at 9 mph. The combined energy is a massive 2299 (very strong). That’s a lot of power, and it’s only for experts. The cross-off wind will keep it reasonably clean, but it’s a lot of water moving around. The crowd factor is still something to keep in mind.

The period around Thursday, 20th August afternoon could be a sneaky one. A 3 ft SSW swell, but with a very long period of 16 seconds. The energy is strong at 754 (moderate). The wind is light from the S at 6 mph, keeping it relatively clean. This is a reef break, so that long period will wrap in nicely, giving you long, smooth lines. The breaks are inconsistent, so you’ll have to be patient, but the quality could be there for the advanced crew.

The end of the month and into September has some energy, but the wind is a problem. On Monday, 31st August morning, there’s a decent 4 ft SSW swell with a 16-second period and 742 energy (moderate), but the wind is onshore from the NE at 12 mph, making it choppy. Not ideal.

The morning of Tuesday, 1st September is the clear winner here. After that, the swell picks up again on the 2nd, but the wind is messy. On Wednesday, 2nd September morning, we’ve got 6 ft from the SSW at 13 seconds, with 1074 energy (very strong), but it’s a cross-shore wind from the SSW at 12 mph, which will put a bit of chop on the face.

Overall, the best bet is that Tuesday, 1st September morning session at Whale Rock. Everything else is either too windy, too big for all but the hardcore, or just plain marginal. The long wait for that clean, offshore day will be worth it.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Wed afternoon, min 16°C on Tue morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Wed night, calm by Thu night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Fri night, min 14°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Sat afternoon, calm by Sun night).

Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
2
4
1
0
2
0
0
3
2
3
4
2
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
E
10
0.4
SW
15
0.8
SSW
14
1.1
SSW
13
1
SSW
14
1.9
SSW
7
1.7
SSW
8
1
SSW
16
1.9
SSW
14
1.3
SSW
13
1.1
SSW
12
0.9
SSW
12
0.9
SSW
12
3
SSW
8
3.5
SSW
12
2.5
SSW
13
2.5
SSW
13
2.1
S
13
1.4
S
12
1.3
S
11
1.2
S
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
226
57
257
440
425
326
361
457
1353
522
350
206
199
1346
3611
2377
2293
1585
546
411
345
Wind (km/h)
15
SW
15
S
5
ENE
20
NE
25
NE
35
SW
20
SSW
10
S
5
N
20
NE
30
NE
10
N
35
SSW
45
SSW
35
SW
20
SSW
15
S
5
NNW
5
S
15
SSW
5
NW
Wind State
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-off
High Tide
6:59PM1.42m
7:06AM1.24m
7:29PM1.27m
7:37AM1.10m
8:07PM1.12m
8:30AM0.96m
9:52PM0.99m
12:26PM0.93m
00:56AM1.04m
1:47PM1.06m
1:52AM1.18m
2:23PM1.22m
2:26AM1.31m
Low Tide
12:41PM0.28m
1:08AM0.42m
1:10PM0.43m
1:42AM0.55m
1:43PM0.58m
2:33AM0.68m
2:43PM0.72m
5:18AM0.75m
6:19PM0.76m
7:33AM0.63m
7:45PM0.63m
8:11AM0.49m
8:22PM0.50m
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:35
6:35
6:33
6:33
6:31
6:31
6:30
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:37
5:37
5:37
5:38
5:39
5:39
5:40
 mm
Temp °C
19
19
19
20
23
21
17
18
18
18
20
22
22
21
18
17
18
17
20
20
18
Feels °C
17
16
18
18
20
17
13
14
18
15
16
19
16
14
11
13
14
17
18
17
17
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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