Surf Forecasts:
The Heads surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SSW swell with 2,964 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 16 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 15s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for The Heads this week:
The surf forecast for The Heads over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at The Heads in the next 16 days are 3.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Friday (Aug 21) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. The surf is on the way, but it’s not gonna be a straight shot. We’ve got a bit of a slow start this Sunday, and then things start to build. There’s a good window in the middle of the week that’s looking like the pick of the bunch, and then it gets big and messy towards the end. I’m gonna break it down for you, day by day, so you know when to paddle out and when to stay on the beach.
First up, The Heads (Rusty’s local). The water temp is sitting at 56.8°F, which is a solid 6.3°F colder than usual for this time of year. That’s not just a little chilly, that’s a proper winter wetsuit, hood, and booties kind of deal. Thick rubber is your friend this week.
Sunday Morning is a write-off. We’ve got a small 4.6ft SW swell with a 12-second period, but the wind is a cross-shore at 15 km/h, making things a bit lumpy. The energy is weak at 710. You’d be fighting for grovelly, bumpy waves. Not worth it.
Sunday afternoon drops off even more to 3.9ft with a light cross-onshore. It’s not looking good. This is the gap at the start, a no-go.
Monday Morning is where it starts to get interesting. Overnight the swell jumps to 6.9ft from the SW with a 13-second period, and the wind goes completely glassy. The energy jumps up to a moderate 1722. This is a much cleaner prospect. It’s a bit more size, but it’s still in the fun zone. This is a good one to get on.
Monday afternoon, the wind turns light cross-onshore (SE, 10 km/h) which will put a few ripples on it, but it’s still rideable at 6.2ft. The morning is definitely the call here.
Tuesday Morning is a bit of a mixed bag. The swell is a solid 6.6ft SW, but the wind is a cross-shore (WSW, 5 km/h). It’s not terrible, but it’s not glass. The afternoon is the standout here. The wind swings to a light southerly and goes glassy, with the swell bumping up to 7.2ft and the period at 12 seconds. This is clean, consistent power. The energy is up there at 1524. This is a solid session.
Wednesday
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 590 | 428 | 1229 | 1613 | 1288 | 990 | 1360 | 1474 | 1960 | 1721 | 1576 | 1298 | 2242 | 2742 | 2757 | 1472 | 1142 | 677 | 593 | 1250 | 2124 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 5:57PM1.78m | 6:08AM1.54m | 6:27PM1.64m | 6:38AM1.41m | 6:58PM1.48m | 7:10AM1.26m | 7:31PM1.31m | 7:49AM1.12m | 8:20PM1.16m | 9:23AM1.00m | 10:47PM1.07m | 12:37PM1.04m | 00:51AM1.16m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:40AM0.10m | 00:10AM0.22m | 12:09PM0.23m | 00:40AM0.35m | 12:38PM0.38m | 1:11AM0.49m | 1:08PM0.53m | 1:49AM0.63m | 1:47PM0.68m | 2:58AM0.75m | 3:17PM0.82m | 6:04AM0.77m | 6:39PM0.79m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — |
 | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 14 | 18 | 19 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 18 | 19 | 14 | 20 | 20 | 14 |
Feels °C | 16 | 16 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 17 | 18 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 590 | 428 | 1229 | 1613 | 1288 | 990 | 1360 | 1474 | 1960 | 1721 | 1576 | 1298 | 2242 | 2742 | 2757 | 1472 | 1142 | 677 | 593 | 1250 | 2124 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | SW 16 | E 8 | E 9 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ESE 5 | E 5 | E 8 | — |
| kJ | 108 | 155 | 69 | 109 | 110 | 81 | 55 | 50 | 31 | 30 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 5 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | SW 4 | E 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | — | — |
| kJ | 2 | 9 | 38 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 6 | 1 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 4 | — | WSW 3 | WSW 4 | — | — |
| kJ | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | 3 | 26 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 415 | 88 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Garden Route | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the The Heads Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for The Heads provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at The Heads can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our The Heads 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 (The Heads) 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 The Heads 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.
Are you planning a holiday in Garden Route? If you are looking for accommodation near The Heads, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Garden Route, consider staying in Knysna which is 4 km (2 miles) away. Other places in and around Garden Route where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Plettenberg Bay which is 28 km (17 miles) away, George, Mossel Bay and Oudtshoorn.
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