Surf Forecasts:
Whispering Waves surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, SSW swell with 2,635 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 14s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Whispering Waves this week:
The surf forecast for Whispering Waves over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 14s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Whispering Waves in the next 16 days are 2.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 7s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Mon 17th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whispering Waves over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. The waiting game is on for the next couple of days, but hold tight. There’s some proper swell lining up for the back half of next week and into the following weekend that has my attention. Near-term, conditions are messy and the surf is pretty average, so don’t be in a rush.
Right now, we’re looking at a bit of a flat spell to start. The first real opportunity won’t come until Tuesday morning, the 18th, when we see a small pulse of 4ft swell at 10 seconds from the east, with a light offshore wind. It won’t be big, but the surface will be clean at Whispering Waves. Water temp is sitting at 68°, which is right about normal for this time of year, so no surprises there. The energy is moderate at 429 units.
The real standout is Wednesday the 19th, but it’s a tease. The morning has a bigger 4ft SSW swell, but the wind is onshore and it will be junk. The afternoon cleans up a bit, but the swell drops to 4ft. Not worth burning a sick day.
Thursday the 20th is where things start to get interesting. The morning has a 6ft swell at a short, crumbly 8 seconds, with offshore wind. That’s a bit raw, but the afternoon is the one. We see a jump in energy to 2635 units, with 8ft of SSW groundswell at 14 seconds. The wind is light and cross-offshore. This is big for this spot. At this size, it’s pushing into expert territory, so leave the foamies at home. The period is solid, but that long interval might make it a bit walled at a point, though it should still offer some great lines.
The next few days after that are a mixed bag of moderate swell with onshore winds, and some clean morning windows but nothing that gets the heart racing.
Then comes the one I’m most amped on. Sunday the 23rd. The morning is looking proper. We’ve got 6ft of solid SSW swell at 13 seconds, with light offshore winds. The combined energy is strong at 900 units. It’s going to be clean, well-shaped, and consistent. Crowds could be a factor here, so get out early. This is the one to circle on the calendar.
After that, the swell backs off a touch, but there are still clean, rideable waves through the 24th and 25th, with lighter winds. The second week gets a bit more involved. The end of August and into September sees a few pulses, but the winds turn against us for the most part. The strongest signal is on Sunday the 30th, with a 4ft SSW groundswell at a very long 17 seconds and light offshore winds in the morning. That’s a promising one, but being that far out, I’d say it’s promising but not locked in. The energy is strong at 992 units, so if it holds, it’ll be worth the wait.
For beginners, be careful on Thursday the 20th – that 8ft swell is too much. Stick to the smaller days. And if you’re not comfortable in overhead surf, definitely give that one a miss.
So, the plan: wait out the small, choppy stuff, hit Sunday the 23rd as the main event, and keep an eye on the 30th as a possible encore.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Wed afternoon, min 15°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, fresh winds from the SW by Wed night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Fri afternoon, min 15°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, fresh winds from the SW by Sat morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 14 | E 10 | E 10 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
103 | 284 | 231 | 112 | 612 | 590 | 523 | 1541 | 409 | 2635 | 1634 | 800 | 548 | 444 | 512 | 347 | 1106 | 900 | 525 | 419 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | off | off | cross-off | on | on | cross-on | off | off | cross-off | on | on | on | off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 6:31PM1.52m | 6:38AM1.33m | 7:00PM1.38m | 7:07AM1.20m | 7:29PM1.23m | 7:39AM1.07m | 8:09PM1.09m | 8:35AM0.93m | 10:01PM0.97m | 12:29PM0.91m | 00:56AM1.02m | 1:46PM1.05m | 1:51AM1.15m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:40AM0.29m | 12:41PM0.28m | 1:09AM0.41m | 1:10PM0.43m | 1:43AM0.54m | 1:44PM0.57m | 2:37AM0.67m | 2:47PM0.71m | 5:26AM0.73m | 6:22PM0.74m | 7:32AM0.61m | 7:44PM0.62m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 21 | 23 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 17 |
Feels °C | 19 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 21 | 17 | 13 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 11 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | ENE 6 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 |
460 | 284 | 231 | 147 | 612 | 590 | 219 | 101 | 277 | 2635 | 1634 | 800 | 548 | 444 | 16 | 347 | 1106 | 900 | 525 | 419 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SW 15 | ENE 9 | E 9 | SSW 14 | — | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 |
103 | 96 | 198 | 112 | 113 | 79 | 523 | — | 34 | 22 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 19 | 26 | 11 | 4 | 16 | 15 | 16 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 4 | SSW 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 8 | — | E 8 | — | — | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 6 | NE 6 |
3 | 29 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | — | 5 | — | — | 5 | 5 | 8 | 4 | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 4 | SSW 5 | SSW 8 | — | ENE 5 | ENE 7 | SW 13 | SSW 8 | — | — | ENE 4 | — | SW 3 | SSW 12 | SSW 5 | — | — | — | — |
— | 8 | 13 | 89 | — | 52 | 320 | 1541 | 409 | — | — | 12 | — | 1 | 512 | 50 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 160 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 71 | 73 | 20 | 462 | 353 | 120 | 1 | 73 | 160 | 0 | 353 | 353 | 0 | 0 | 290 | 1 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape - Wild Coast | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Whispering Waves Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Whispering Waves provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Whispering Waves can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Whispering Waves 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 (Whispering Waves) 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 Whispering Waves 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.
Whispering Waves is 44 km (27 miles) from the city of Butterworth. If you plan a holiday in Eastern Cape - Wild Coast, look for hotels and other accommodation in Butterworth. Butterworth has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











