Whale Rock Surf Break

Lat Long: 31.94° S 29.22° E

Whale Rock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 12 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whale Rock sea temperature is
21.1° C
0.6° 

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 12 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 13 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 10s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, SSW swell with 746 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 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 Thursday (Aug 13) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 1.5m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 1.0m and 8s is also forecast. 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 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) 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 2.5m 8s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Thu 13th Aug)5ft (1.5m) 10s
Best Surf 2AM (Thu 13th Aug)5ft (1.5m) 10s
Most Powerful 8PM (Wed 19th Aug)8ft (2.5m) 8s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s get into it.

First up, the outlook for Whale Rock is looking pretty grim for the next couple of weeks. This is a reef break that's known for being inconsistent, and honestly, we’re in a pretty flat and windy patch right now. The combined wave energy isn't much to shout about, ranging from low to moderate, and we've got a run of cross-onshore winds that are making things choppy and messy.

The first real standout in the period is a long way off, so get ready for a long gap. We're looking at the morning of Friday, August 22nd, where things start to get more interesting. A powerful SSW groundswell sets up with a period of 9 seconds and a height around 7 ft. The combined energy is a solid 1244 and we get those crucial light winds, going cross-shore. This is the best call of the whole outlook, but only for the true experts – this is heavy wave territory.

Before that late-August action, it’s mostly a write-off. Throughout most of the first week (from August 12th through the 21st), the wind is blasting onshore or cross-shore at moderate to fresh strengths, often with rain, so the surface will be choppy and lumpy. There are a few sessions with marginal surf or tricky tides, but nothing worth paddling out for unless you just want a battle.

The water temp is sitting at 70° which is about 1° warmer than normal for this time of year. So, it’s a bit balmy, but nothing wild for our area.

Around Saturday, August 23rd and Monday, August 25th we get some groundswell again with longer periods, but the onshore wind picks right back up. The shapes could be there, but the wind will be on top of it, making it another tough paddle.

Bottom line: There’s a whole lot of waiting for one good morning. Mark your calendar for the 22nd at dawn.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Fri afternoon, min 14°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Tue morning, min 17°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Wed
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
Sunday
16
Monday
17
Tuesday
18
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
4
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
E
9
1.5
E
10
1.3
E
9
1.5
E
9
1.5
E
7
1.5
E
7
0.4
SW
16
1.7
E
7
1.2
E
7
0.9
E
10
1.5
E
11
1.5
E
11
0.2
S
10
0.1
SW
16
0.1
SW
16
0.9
SSW
5
1.1
E
10
1
E
9
0.2
SSW
15
1.2
E
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
444
482
247
346
239
230
64
311
155
161
524
543
8
10
9
44
231
175
22
138
Wind (km/h)
25
ENE
10
N
20
NE
30
ENE
20
NNE
20
NE
35
NE
15
NNE
15
NE
20
NE
10
N
15
NE
25
NE
10
N
20
SSW
10
SSW
15
NNE
5
E
30
SSW
20
SW
Wind State
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
glassy
cross
cross-off
High Tide
3:49PM1.69m
4:02AM1.67m
4:26PM1.78m
4:36AM1.68m
5:00PM1.80m
5:09AM1.65m
5:32PM1.77m
5:40AM1.59m
6:02PM1.69m
6:09AM1.49m
6:31PM1.56m
6:38AM1.37m
6:59PM1.42m
Low Tide
9:57PM0.08m
10:10AM-0.03m
10:33PM0.04m
10:42AM-0.06m
11:07PM0.05m
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
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:41
6:41
6:39
6:39
6:37
6:35
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:32
5:34
5:35
5:35
5:36
5:37
5:37
 mm
2
2
Temp °C
17
16
17
18
17
18
21
18
21
22
20
22
23
21
19
19
18
26
20
19
Feels °C
12
12
13
13
12
13
16
14
18
19
19
18
19
19
17
18
20
24
16
16
  • 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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