Whale Rock Surf Break

Lat Long: 31.94° S 29.22° E

Whale Rock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 am 06 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whale Rock sea temperature is
21.2° C
0.8° 

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 6 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 11 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 11s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 10 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, S swell with 2,081 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 7 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 13s 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 Friday (Aug 07) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m 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 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 10) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 08) at 8AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8AM (Fri 7th Aug)3.5ft (1.1m) 13s
Best Surf 8AM (Tue 11th Aug)4ft (1.2m) 11s
Most Powerful 8AM (Mon 10th Aug)11ft (3.5m) 10s

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


The Lowdown

Right then, let’s get into it. We’ve got Whale Rock on the radar, and honestly, the outlook is a mixed bag. It’s an advanced reef break, and it’s inconsistent, so when it’s on, it’s a treat, but we’ve got to wait for the right windows.

The water’s sitting at 70°, which is pretty much what you’d expect for this time of year.

The first real chance of anything decent kicks off Thursday morning, the 6th of August. There’s a 2ft swell from the southwest, with a long period of 16 seconds – that’s proper groundswell energy. The wind is a cross-offshore from the southwest, so it’ll be clean. The combined energy is moderate (531). It’s a solid start, but the tide conditions might be a bit tricky, so don’t expect perfection. Still, it’s the best on offer for the start of the run.

Friday morning, the 7th, sees a bit more size at 3ft from the south-southwest, with a 13-second period. The wind is light and cross-off, so it’s clean again. The energy is moderate (427). This is the standout for the early part of the period. It’s a solid, clean option.

Saturday morning, the 8th, has a 3ft swell from the south-southwest with a 15-second period, making for a powerful wave. The energy is strong (707). The wind is cross-shore from the northeast, so it’s a bit of a cross-shore chop, but it’s still rideable.

Sunday morning, the 9th, has a 3ft swell but the wind kicks up to a moderate 15 mph cross-off. It’s clean, but the tide conditions are iffy. Later that afternoon, the swell jumps to 8ft, but the period drops to a short 7 seconds, and the wind is howling at 25 mph. That’s a messy, powerful mess – only for the brave.

Monday the 10th brings a massive 12ft swell from the south-southeast, with a short 10-second period. The energy is through the roof (2133), but the wind is cross-onshore and choppy. This is a beast, but it’s not for paddling. The setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

Tuesday the 11th has a 4ft swell from the south-southwest with a 14-second period. The energy is strong (1082). The wind is light and cross-onshore, so it’s a bit textured, but it’s a decent option.

After that, the forecast gets a bit grim. From Wednesday the 12th through to the 21st of August, the conditions are mostly poor, with a mix of onshore winds, short-period windswell, and choppy surfaces. There are a few brief windows of cleaner conditions, like the morning of the 17th with a 5ft easterly swell and a cross-off wind, but it’s not a standout.

The best of the whole run is definitely Friday morning, the 7th of August. That 3ft south-southwest swell with light cross-off winds and a 13-second period will be clean and fun. The other real highlight is Thursday morning, the 6th, for that long-period groundswell.

Alright, that’s the skinny on it. Keep your eyes peeled, and don’t be afraid to sit a few out. This is Whale Rock, after all.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 24°C on Sat afternoon, min 16°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Thu morning, light winds from the SE by Fri afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 35mm), heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun morning, min 13°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SW on Sun afternoon, light winds from the SSE by Tue morning).

Thursday
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
2
2
0
1
2
1
1
1
0
1
0
2
3
3
2
2
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
SW
16
0.7
SSW
15
1.3
SSW
13
0.9
SSW
13
0.9
SSW
12
0.9
SSW
17
1
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
15
2.4
SSW
7
2.5
S
8
3.5
SSE
10
2.5
SSE
9
1.9
SE
9
1.1
SSW
14
1.6
SSW
13
1.3
SSW
12
1.9
ESE
8
2
E
7
2.1
E
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
251
191
595
289
210
475
468
362
250
377
594
982
2049
1151
535
465
867
511
416
434
491
Wind (km/h)
25
SW
20
S
10
S
10
SW
15
ENE
25
NNE
15
NE
15
SSW
20
SW
25
SW
40
SSW
35
S
25
S
20
S
15
WSW
10
SSE
10
ESE
10
ENE
15
ENE
25
ENE
15
NNE
Wind State
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
8:10AM1.18m
8:54PM1.28m
9:33AM1.06m
10:39PM1.20m
11:51AM1.05m
00:36AM1.24m
1:28PM1.20m
1:50AM1.37m
2:25PM1.38m
2:42AM1.50m
3:10PM1.55m
3:24AM1.61m
3:49PM1.69m
4:02AM1.67m
Low Tide
2:18PM0.45m
3:27AM0.56m
3:43PM0.57m
5:27AM0.59m
5:54PM0.59m
7:11AM0.48m
7:30PM0.46m
8:12AM0.32m
8:30PM0.31m
8:57AM0.17m
9:17PM0.18m
9:35AM0.05m
9:57PM0.08m
clear
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
light rain
heavy rain
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:48
6:47
6:46
6:45
6:43
6:43
6:43
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:30
5:30
5:30
5:30
5:31
5:32
5:32
 mm
4
2
2
19
5
1
3
2
2
1
2
Temp °C
20
20
19
18
19
18
23
24
18
18
16
15
15
15
14
15
16
16
16
16
16
Feels °C
17
16
18
18
19
15
22
24
16
13
7
8
9
9
11
13
13
12
12
12
12
  • 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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