Surf Forecasts:
Whale Rock surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 15s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 15s period, SSW swell with 2,249 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 15s period with SSW 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 20) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 15s period. 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 2.2m 15s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whale Rock over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it for the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, the outlook for Whale Rock is a bit of a tough one. We’ve got a long stretch ahead with only a few flickers of decent potential, and a lot of days where you’ll be fighting cross-onshore winds and lumpy conditions. The water temp is sitting at 71°F which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so that’s something.
The first real chance of anything worthwhile doesn’t show up until Thursday the 20th of August. The morning sees a 6ft SSW swell, but with a short period of 7 seconds, it’ll be a bit disorganised. The wind is cross-offshore though, which keeps it clean. It’s a marginal call, but there’s a small window there for the more advanced crew. The combined energy is moderate (859).
The swell builds again on Saturday the 22nd of August, but it’s a mess. By the afternoon, we’re looking at an 12ft SSW swell with a short 8 second period and a strong cross-shore wind blowing at 45 km/h. That’s a kite-surfing setup, not a paddling one. The combined energy jumps to strong (1291), but the quality is poor. Only for the experts who don’t mind a beating.
The best bet on offer is actually on Friday the 28th of August. The morning shapes up with a 3ft S swell carrying a clean 11-second period, and light NNW winds that are cross-offshore. That’s glassy, clean conditions. The combined energy is weak (246), but for a reef break that’s inconsistent, when it comes together it can be a gem. The crowd factor is there though – it’s “sometimes” busy, so expect company.
The following week is a write-off. From Saturday the 29th of August right through to the end of the outlook, it’s a mix of onshore wind, weak swell, and messy chop. There’s a small spike on Tuesday the 1st of September with a 5ft E swell, but the wind is cross and the period is short. Not worth getting excited about.
So, the standout is Friday the 28th of August, morning session at Whale Rock. Keep an eye on it, but it’s a week and a half out, so don’t lock in your plans just yet.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Wed afternoon, min 16°C on Thu morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Wed night, calm by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sat morning, min 16°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SSW on Sat afternoon, calm by Mon morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 7 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 8 | SSW 9 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 440 | 425 | 313 | 379 | 991 | 1433 | 623 | 439 | 313 | 746 | 1291 | 982 | 482 | 418 | 343 | 547 | 728 | 768 | 811 | 683 | 653 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 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 | 2:51PM1.36m | 2:55AM1.43m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 8:39AM0.35m | 8:51PM0.37m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — |
 | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 22 | 21 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 |
Feels °C | 18 | 19 | 20 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 7 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | SSW 9 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 440 | 425 | 313 | 228 | 991 | 1433 | 623 | 439 | 313 | 108 | 35 | 579 | 482 | 418 | 343 | 547 | 728 | 768 | 811 | 683 | 653 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 8 | SSW 13 | S 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | — | — | — | SSW 13 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SSE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 101 | 74 | 109 | 206 | 149 | 22 | 11 | 11 | — | — | — | 273 | 12 | 6 | 62 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 158 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | E 8 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 8 | — | SW 18 | ENE 9 | SE 12 | ENE 10 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | E 9 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 46 | 33 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | — | 13 | 8 | 5 | 18 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | ENE 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | — | — | — | — | ENE 6 | SSW 14 | SSW 8 | SSW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 9 | ENE 5 |
| kJ | 162 | 111 | 171 | 379 | — | — | — | — | 90 | 746 | 1291 | 982 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 30 | 51 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 186 | 133 | 349 | 39 | 39 | 0 | 289 | 289 | 16 | 154 | 500 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 289 | 37 |
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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