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Surf Forecasts:
Whale Rock surfForecast / Eastern Cape – Wild Coast / South Africa
Forecast update in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Whale Rock surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Whale Rock sea temperature is
24.3° C
(Which is 1.8°C warmer than normal for this time of year)Whale Rock surf forecast from 27 May 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 29 May, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 29 May, 8AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 16s period, SSW swell with 818 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 28 May, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 15s period with SW 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 Thursday (May 28) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. 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 1.3m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (May 29) 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 1.8m 7s period and expected on Monday (Jun 01) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Thu 28th May) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Fri 29th May) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Fri 29th May) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whale Rock over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Fri night. Warm (max 21°C on Wed afternoon, min 18°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, fresh winds from the SW by Fri morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Mon afternoon, min 17°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Sat night, fresh winds from the NE by Sun afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wed 27 | Thursday 28 | Friday 29 | Saturday 30 | Sunday 31 | Monday 1 | Tuesday 2 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
SSW 10 | SW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | E 6 | |
55 | 60 | 270 | 258 | 532 | 778 | 455 | 678 | 321 | 282 | 195 | 172 | 142 | 178 | 121 | 76 | 81 | 33 | 54 | 109 | 65 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
cross-on | glassy | cross | cross | off | cross-off | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | |
High Tide | 1:48AM1.44m | 2:14PM1.32m | 2:24AM1.48m | 2:48PM1.38m | 2:57AM1.51m | 3:20PM1.42m | 3:29AM1.52m | 3:52PM1.44m | 4:00AM1.52m | 4:24PM1.44m | 4:32AM1.49m | 4:56PM1.42m | 5:03AM1.46m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:30PM0.41m | 8:08AM0.32m | 8:08PM0.36m | 8:40AM0.26m | 8:43PM0.31m | 9:11AM0.22m | 9:17PM0.28m | 9:41AM0.20m | 9:49PM0.27m | 10:12AM0.20m | 10:22PM0.28m | 10:44AM0.21m | 10:55PM0.31m | 11:17AM0.24m | |||||||
— | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | |
5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:06 | — | 5:06 | |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | |
Temp °C | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 20 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 21 |
22 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 21 | |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SE 8 | SSE 7 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | ENE 6 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | E 7 | E 8 | S 5 | SSW 11 | E 6 |
55 | 31 | 270 | 258 | 532 | 778 | 455 | 678 | 321 | 110 | 70 | 172 | 142 | 103 | 121 | 76 | 97 | 19 | 10 | 109 | 65 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 11 | ENE 6 | ENE 5 | SSW 4 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | E 7 | SSE 7 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SSW 14 | SE 7 | SW 12 | SSW 14 | ENE 6 | E 8 | E 8 | SSW 10 |
18 | 11 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 73 | 282 | 195 | 43 | 23 | 178 | 7 | 22 | 81 | 8 | 29 | 41 | 59 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SE 9 | ENE 7 | SE 9 | SE 12 | — | — | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 8 | SSW 16 | SE 7 | E 13 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | SW 11 | SSW 12 | S 4 | SSE 5 |
22 | 60 | 3 | 15 | 3 | 6 | — | — | 4 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 95 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 33 | 54 | 4 | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 6 | — | — | — | ESE 3 | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | — | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 3 | ENE 4 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | E 7 | ENE 6 | SW 4 | SSW 5 | — | NE 5 | ENE 6 |
16 | — | — | — | 2 | 38 | 45 | — | 5 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 59 | 202 | 89 | 149 | 21 | 26 | — | 4 | 121 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 289 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 290 | 643 | 6 | 403 | 289 | 0 | 289 | 289 | 37 | 113 | 186 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 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.












