The Heads Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.07° S 23.06° E

The Heads Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 07 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Heads sea temperature is
14.9°C
2.4° 

The Heads surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


The Heads surf forecast from 7 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 16s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 13 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 16s period, SW swell with 2,594 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 7 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 13s period with SSW 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 Monday (Sep 07) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 1.6m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 2.0m and 8s is also forecast. 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 2.3m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Mon 7th Sep)5.5ft (1.7m) 13s
Best Surf 2AM (Sun 13th Sep)7.5ft (2.3m) 16s
Most Powerful 2AM (Sun 13th Sep)7.5ft (2.3m) 16s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Heads over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Righto, let's have a look at what's on the cards for The Heads over the next couple of weeks.

Alright, we're starting off with a bit of a slow burner here at The Heads. The water is sitting at 59°, which is a fair whack colder than usual for this time of year – we're talking 4° below the norm, so you'll want that extra rubber. The early part of the week is looking pretty average, with small messy swells and cross-onshore breezes creating bumpy conditions. We've got a long period swell from the SSW coming through on Monday afternoon, giving us a solid 6ft of swell with a huge combined energy of 1675, but that SE wind is making it a bit lumpy. It's rideable, but not a standout.

The next few days don't offer much to get excited about. Swells drop off, winds stay mostly cross or cross-on, and the period bounces around. There’s a glimmer on Wednesday morning with a light NW offshore wind for a cleaner 2ft, but the energy's weak at 404. You'd be chasing small, clean ones.

Now, let's talk about the first real standout. Saturday the 12th of September. The morning session is where it's at. We're looking at a 4ft swell out of the SW with a super long 15-second period, giving us a good energy reading of 1349. But the winner here is the wind – it's dead glassy. That's a major positive. This is the kind of morning where it all links up nicely. This is a solid intermediate option, but keep in mind, the long period will see it wrapping around points and reefs better than a straight beachie.

The following week gets interesting, but also serious. We have a window of very good conditions on Monday the 14th with a light offshore NNE breeze and a 7ft short-period SE swell (1118 energy) – clean and punchy. That’s a good one for the more experienced crew.

But hold on, because from Wednesday the 16th of September, the ocean is going to turn on. We're seeing a massive groundswell from the SW, with heights pushing 12ft to 13ft and energy readings going through the roof – 7070 and 8578. The period is a very long 17-18 seconds. This is expert territory only. The waves will be huge and powerful, but the cross-onshore wind will make it a messy, dangerous beast. Honestly, at that size with those winds, this setup looks more like a kite surfer's playground than a paddle surfer's dream.

The sea stays pumped up for the rest of the week, hovering between 7ft and 12ft, with a mix of onshore and cross winds making for challenging conditions. There's a moment of respite on Sunday the 20th with a cleaner 5ft SW swell, but the onshore wind is back. The big stuff returns again on Tuesday the 22nd with another 12ft SW swell, but with easterly winds up to 16 mph, it's another day for the experts or the kite crew.

So, the pick of the whole outlook is Saturday the 12th morning for that glassy, long-period swell. The next best is Monday the 14th for clean, offshore conditions on a punchy short-period swell. Just be ready for that massive pulse mid-month that's only for the brave.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Wed afternoon, min 15°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Fri morning. Warm (max 20°C on Sun morning, min 16°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Mon
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
2
0
2
2
1
2
2
3
3
3
2
2
4
3
5
3
3
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.9
SSW
14
1.1
SW
13
1.4
E
9
1.1
SW
12
1
E
9
0.7
SW
14
0.9
SW
13
0.9
SW
13
1.3
SSW
16
2.2
SW
15
1.8
SW
13
1.9
SW
13
1.4
SW
12
1.1
SW
12
1.2
SW
15
2
SW
15
2.3
SW
16
2.1
SW
15
1.9
SW
14
1.6
SW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1261
437
318
314
175
200
290
277
886
2122
1197
1191
599
319
640
1718
2594
1810
1368
834
Wind (km/h)
10
SE
10
NNW
5
SSE
10
ESE
5
NNW
10
NW
5
W
10
WNW
10
WSW
10
SW
5
ESE
10
E
10
E
5
N
5
SSW
10
S
5
E
10
ESE
10
ESE
15
ENE
Wind State
cross-on
off
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross
glassy
glassy
on
glassy
cross-on
cross
cross-off
High Tide
1:40AM1.49m
2:07PM1.61m
2:23AM1.63m
2:45PM1.78m
3:00AM1.73m
3:19PM1.90m
3:34AM1.79m
3:51PM1.96m
4:06AM1.79m
4:21PM1.95m
4:36AM1.75m
4:50PM1.88m
Low Tide
7:36PM0.42m
7:57AM0.28m
8:22PM0.24m
8:34AM0.13m
9:00PM0.11m
9:08AM0.03m
9:34PM0.02m
9:40AM-0.02m
10:05PM-0.01m
10:09AM-0.01m
10:35PM0.01m
10:38AM0.04m
11:02PM0.08m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
thunderstorm
mod rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:37
6:35
6:33
6:33
6:31
6:30
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:13
6:14
6:14
6:15
6:15
6:15
6:16
 mm
2
4
4
3
2
2
2
2
6
Temp °C
25
23
27
28
23
31
32
18
18
18
17
17
18
17
18
18
17
20
20
22
Feels °C
25
23
27
27
22
29
31
17
18
18
19
18
18
17
20
19
15
21
20
21
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  • 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 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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