Whale Rock Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

(Eastern Cape – Wild Coast, South Africa)

Today's Whale Rock sea temperature is 23.9 °C

(Which is slightly warmer than usual)

Mean: 23.3 °C
Range: 22.0 °C to 24.4 °C
Statistics for 11 May (1981–2005)

    Today, many surfers would wear a shorty .

    Warm in and out of the water temperature at Whale Rock today, but forecast to be overcast. With sea temperatures of 23 °C and a wind chill of 24 °C, most surfers will choose a shorty or a summer suit or just board shorts.

    South Africa Sea Water Temperature

    Map of current South Africa
    Surface Water Temperatures
    based on measurements from oceanographic satellites
    South Africa Water Temperature Anomaly

    Map of current South Africa
    Sea Water Temperature Anomalies

    (compared with long term averages
    at this time of year)

    (click thumbnails to expand)

    Below is a graph of Historical Sea Surface Temperature for Whale Rock. This has been derived from analysis of two decades of oceanographic satellite measurements of nearby open water. We have calculated the average water temperature variation around the year as well as the extremes that have been observed on each date.

    Whale Rock Water Temperature Graph

    All of the graphs for the surf breaks presented on Surf-Forecast.com are on the same scale to enable comparison between locations around the world.

    Whale Rock sea water temperatures peak in the range 24 to 27°C (75 to 81°F) on around the 4th of February and are at their minimum on about the 5th of September, in the range 19 to 22°C (66 to 72°F). Year round warm sea water temperatures at Whale Rock climb to their highest in early February. Even then a rash vest and board shorts should be fine for surfing at any time of year. Whale Rock sea water temperatures are minimum at the beginning of September. Surfers should use a 2mm long sleeve shorty or a 3/2mm spring wetsuit if the wind is up.

    Actual sea surface water temperatures close to shore at Whale Rock can vary by several degrees compared with these open water averages. This is especially true after heavy rain, close to river mouths or after long periods of strong offshore winds. Offshore winds cause colder deep water to replace surface water that has been warmed by the sun. Air temperature, wind-chill and sunshine should also be considered before deciding on the kind of wetsuit needed to stay warm when surfing at Whale Rock. Refer to our detailed weather forecasts for this information.

     

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