
Surf Forecasts:
Whale Rock surf forecast from 5 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 9 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 10 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, SSW swell with 2,725 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 5 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 12s period with SE 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 (Jul 05) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 10s. 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 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 1.2m 8s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 07) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sun 5th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Thu 9th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Fri 10th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whale Rock over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s break down the same outlook but in feet and miles per hour for the imperial crew.
We’re starting off slow at Whale Rock. The first real chance to get wet is Monday the 6th of July, but it’s just knee-high—about 3ft from the southeast. The morning is glassy, real pretty, but the energy is weak (177). You’ll get a few little rollers but nothing exciting.
Tuesday the 7th is tiny, but Tuesday afternoon goes dead calm with a 2ft southwest swell. That’s a total glass-off, but it’s only for a casual paddle, not a proper surf.
Things kick off on Thursday the 9th of July. The morning brings a solid 8ft SSW swell (moderate energy, 1838). The wind is clean and offshore, and the water is about 71°, which is a touch warmer than usual. This is a reef break for advanced surfers, so leave the foam boards at home.
Friday the 10th of July gets even bigger—8ft from the SSW, with a long 14-second period. The energy jumps to 2695, but the wind is cross-onshore with some light rain. It’s powerful and for experts only. Crowds are possible, so keep your wits about you.
The real standout is Friday the 17th of July morning. Dead calm, glassy conditions, and a solid 8ft SSW swell (energy 1278). The wind is off the water, the waves have a nice 10-second period, and it’s rated excellent for experienced surfers. If you can handle it, that morning is the best of the whole stretch. The afternoon gets bigger—up to 10ft—but the wind turns onshore a bit.
The second week has some cleaner small days too. Wednesday the 15th of July morning is glassy with a 5ft east swell—clean, rideable, and fun for a longboard.
So to sum it up: mark your calendar for the 17th of July morning at Whale Rock. That’s the one.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Tue afternoon, min 15°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Fri night. Warm (max 26°C on Wed morning, min 16°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 5 | Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 7 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
537 | 406 | 228 | 156 | 124 | 80 | 82 | 102 | 118 | 134 | 206 | 362 | 1831 | 1616 | 1541 | 2688 | 2352 | 1561 | 1163 | 773 | 565 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 7:07PM1.47m | 7:12AM1.33m | 7:49PM1.43m | 7:59AM1.25m | 8:40PM1.38m | 9:00AM1.16m | 9:47PM1.33m | 10:24AM1.11m | 11:11PM1.32m | 12:00PM1.13m | 00:35AM1.36m | 1:20PM1.23m | 1:45AM1.45m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:45PM0.23m | 1:15AM0.38m | 1:23PM0.29m | 2:03AM0.43m | 2:09PM0.37m | 3:03AM0.48m | 3:07PM0.44m | 4:19AM0.51m | 4:26PM0.50m | 5:48AM0.49m | 5:57PM0.49m | 7:07AM0.40m | 7:18PM0.40m | ||||||||
7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | |
— | 5:10 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 2 | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 19 | 21 | 19 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 27 | 29 | 19 | 26 | 21 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 20 |
Feels °C | 15 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 23 | 25 | 17 | 23 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | SW 14 | SSW 8 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 |
537 | 406 | 228 | 156 | 124 | 53 | 57 | 98 | 64 | 62 | 206 | 181 | 1831 | 1616 | 1541 | 2688 | 2352 | 1561 | 1163 | 773 | 565 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 9 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | ENE 7 | SW 13 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 6 | E 7 |
62 | 41 | 37 | 31 | 35 | 80 | 47 | 102 | 118 | 134 | 37 | 84 | 26 | 30 | 26 | 24 | 22 | 12 | 11 | 58 | 135 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 11 | E 11 | ESE 11 | E 11 | E 11 | SW 12 | SSW 14 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | NE 7 | E 10 | SE 16 | SE 15 | SE 13 | SE 13 | — | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | — |
41 | 38 | 40 | 21 | 20 | 37 | 82 | 45 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 13 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 7 | — | 19 | 11 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ENE 4 | NE 6 | — | ENE 7 | — | — | ENE 8 | — | — | SSW 4 | SSW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 6 | — | — |
— | 12 | 119 | — | 56 | — | — | 162 | — | — | 7 | 362 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 50 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 16 | 186 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 214 | 1 | 23 | 114 | 0 | 1 | 238 | 70 | 289 | 289 | 412 |
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.










