Surf Forecasts:
Whale Rock surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 16 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 10s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 22 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 16s period, SSW swell with 2,119 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 15 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 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 Wednesday (Jul 15) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 4s. 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 2.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Thu 16th Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whale Rock over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what Whale Rock has going on. This is an advanced reef break, and it’s inconsistent, so you gotta be on your toes. Water temp is running about 69°F, pretty average for the season.
We start slow. On Wednesday the 15th, you get a 5ft easterly swell with a 10-second period, but the wind is cross-shore and there’s some chop – not worth a paddle.
Thursday morning the 16th – now we’re talking. A 6ft SSW swell, 10-second period, and glassy conditions with a light south wind at 3 mph. The water is clean, moderate wave energy (1339). This is your best bet early on, for experienced surfers only. It’s a bit much for beginners. Swell direction suits the spot, and you might have company but nothing wild.
Thursday afternoon drops to 4ft from the east, cross-on wind and ripples – marginal.
Friday the 17th stays small at 4ft and 3ft, still cross-on and weak. Forget it.
Saturday the 18th, the afternoon looks tidy. A 4ft S swell, 12-second period, with a light cross-offshore wind from the southwest at 6 mph. Clean. Moderate energy (727).
Sunday the 19th, the morning has 4ft swell but winds pick up to 15 mph – still clean, but lumpy. Afternoon is 18 mph cross-shore and messy.
Monday the 20th afternoon goes glassy again. A 4ft S swell, 13 seconds, calm wind – very clean, moderate energy (600). Easy session.
Tuesday the 21st bumps up to 5ft to 7ft SSW swell, but the wind is choppy and cross-on – no good.
Wednesday morning the 22nd delivers the goods: a 6ft SSW groundswell, 15-second period, light cross-offshore wind from the southwest at 6 mph, and clean. Strong wave energy (1556). Long period means power and shape, but expect longer waits between sets. For advanced surfers only.
Thursday the 23rd brings a monster: 10ft SSW swell, 15-second period. Very strong energy (4588), but moderate cross-shore wind and chop. Expert territory. Friday the 24th is still big at 7ft, but winds are screaming at 22 to 31 mph – either a kite day or stay home.
The next week settles. Saturday morning the 25th is glassy with a 5ft SSW swell, 12-second period, light northeast wind. Clean, moderate energy (619). Good call. The afternoon gets blown out with 22 mph cross-on wind.
Sunday the 26th has size (4ft to 4ft) but cross-shore and onshore winds mess it up. The rest of the week through the 30th shows moderate to strong energy but almost always with moderate to strong wind. The 30th Thursday gives 6ft S swell, 12-second period, light cross-on wind, and maybe small ripples – strong energy (1475-1486) but not quite clean.
Best sessions: Thursday morning, July 16th and Wednesday morning, July 22nd. Clean, good direction, decent size. The big stuff late in the month is just for the experts, and wind is a problem. Stay patient.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sat morning, min 16°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sat afternoon, min 15°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Sun afternoon, calm by Mon afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wed 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 11 | SW 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 13 | E 10 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 9 | S 10 | S 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 514 | 663 | 724 | 354 | 284 | 237 | 269 | 192 | 342 | 469 | 387 | 269 | 280 | 367 | 314 | 395 | 298 | 692 | 1376 | 1907 | 1540 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:42PM1.68m | 4:55AM1.65m | 5:23PM1.71m | 5:33AM1.60m | 6:02PM1.69m | 6:10AM1.52m | 6:40PM1.62m | 6:47AM1.42m | 7:18PM1.51m | 7:23AM1.30m | 7:56PM1.39m | 8:04AM1.18m | 8:41PM1.26m | 8:56AM1.06m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:48PM0.10m | 11:05AM0.00m | 11:30PM0.13m | 11:42AM0.03m | 00:10AM0.19m | 12:17PM0.09m | 00:48AM0.28m | 12:52PM0.20m | 1:27AM0.38m | 1:28PM0.32m | 2:08AM0.49m | 2:08PM0.45m | 2:59AM0.58m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 |
 | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:19 | — | 5:20 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 23 | 25 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 23 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 25 |
Feels °C | 19 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 23 | 18 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 9 | S 10 | S 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 |
| kJ | 514 | 663 | 442 | 354 | 284 | 237 | 196 | 192 | 342 | 469 | 387 | 269 | 280 | 367 | 314 | 395 | 298 | 692 | 1376 | 1907 | 1540 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 9 | SSW 7 | SSW 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 13 | SSE 10 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | ENE 7 | SE 11 | SE 11 | NE 5 | ENE 6 |
| kJ | 8 | 73 | 147 | 330 | 219 | 154 | 269 | 190 | 158 | 164 | 125 | 209 | 92 | 148 | 164 | 150 | 42 | 57 | 40 | 18 | 26 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSW 16 | SSE 11 | S 10 | S 9 | — | S 15 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSE 12 | SE 13 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SE 11 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | SE 10 | SE 10 |
| kJ | 10 | 9 | 26 | 11 | 2 | 2 | — | 39 | 57 | 94 | 61 | 178 | 70 | 51 | 50 | 30 | 76 | 13 | 5 | 16 | 16 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 4 | — | SW 10 | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | — | — | — | — | S 10 | — | NNE 3 | ENE 5 | SSW 6 | — | — | NE 5 | — |
| kJ | 6 | — | 724 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 259 | — | 3 | 25 | 74 | — | — | 58 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 6 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 0 | 1 | 70 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 446 | 401 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 154 | 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.
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