The Heads Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.07° S 23.06° E

The Heads Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 01 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Heads sea temperature is
17.1° C
0.0° 

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 1 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 6 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 6 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 14s period, SW swell with 6,307 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 1 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 8s period with E 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 Saturday (Aug 01) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 1.9m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.8m and 11s 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 4.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 06) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Friday (Aug 07) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8AM (Sat 1st Aug)7.5ft (2.3m) 8s
Best Surf 5AM (Thu 6th Aug)11ft (3.5m) 14s
Most Powerful 8AM (Thu 6th Aug)13ft (4.0m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s get stuck into it.

The surf this week at The Heads (Southeast) is going to be a bit of a mixed bag to be honest. There’s a solid pulse of energy on the way, but the ocean is going to be throwing a few tantrums in the middle there. It’s not all bad though, there are definitely windows of clean, rippable surf if you pick your moments. The water temp is sitting at 62.8°F, which is pretty much spot on for this time of year, so no drama there.

We start off the first day, Saturday the 1st, with some decent size. The morning looks great with 8.2ft of ESE swell, a solid 9-second period and a light offshore breeze. The energy is strong at 1728, and it’s clean. This is one for the experienced surfers for sure, but it’s a good way to kick things off. The afternoon drops a touch to 6.6ft, but the wind swings cross-shore, so it gets a little messier.

Sunday the 2nd is a story of two halves. The morning is pure glass with 6.2ft of ESE swell and no wind at all. That’s a magic window, clean lines and no bump. The energy is moderate at 861. The afternoon gets a little lumpy with a light cross-shore breeze and the swell backs off slightly to 5.9ft.

Monday the 3rd has a similar vibe. Another glassy morning with 5.9ft and an 11-second period, which gives it a touch more push. The energy is up a bit at 1255. The afternoon sees the wind pick up and it goes a bit cross-shore again, bringing in some ripples.

Then we get a change. Tuesday the 4th sees the swell drop right down to 3.9ft and swing to the SW. The period is still okay but the energy drops off, 744. It’s a bit of a nothing day, cross-shore winds and small, weak waves.

Wednesday the 5th starts off small and clean with a glassy 3.3ft SSW groundswell. This swell has a long 15-second period, which is nice, but there just isn’t much size to it. Then, hold on, the afternoon is where things start to get interesting. The swell pushes back up to 6.2ft from the SW with a 14-second period and the energy jumps to 1655. There’s some cross-onshore wind, but the raw power is coming back.

Thursday the 6th is when the ocean decides to flex its muscles. We’ve got a big 13.1ft SW swell with a 13-second period. The energy readings are huge, over 6000 in the morning. The problem is, it’s raining and the wind is howling cross-onshore, making it a complete mess. This is way too big for most people and the conditions will be poor. The afternoon eases up on the wind but this swell is just too much for this break.

Friday the 7th is the serious standout. After a day so big it’s unsurfable, it drops to a still-chunky 9.8ft from the SW. The period is a solid 13 seconds and, crucially, we get a light offshore NNW wind in the morning. The energy is still very strong at 2983. The conditions will be clean and powerful. This is for experienced surfers only, but this is the pick of the week. The afternoon is a come-down, with the wind going cross-onshore.

Saturday the 8th is a write-off. The swell is still huge, between 9.8ft and 11.5ft, but it’s accompanied by a fresh cross-onshore breeze and rain. It’s going to be lumpy, choppy and generally horrible. The energy is strong, over 4000, but it’s going to waste.

Sunday the 9th doesn’t get much better. Another day of 8.2ft to 9.8ft SW swell with strong onshore and cross-onshore winds. More rain and showers. The surf quality will be poor.

Monday the 10th, we have the size again, up to 14.8ft from the S. The winds have eased, so the ocean isn't as wild

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Warm (max 22°C on Tue morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
Friday
7
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
4
2
3
3
2
4
3
2
3
2
2
2
3
3
4
0
!
!
4
3
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.5
ESE
9
2
ESE
9
2.1
ESE
9
1.9
ESE
9
1.8
ESE
9
2
ESE
11
1.8
ESE
11
1.7
ESE
11
1.3
SW
12
1.2
SW
12
1.2
SW
11
1.1
SW
11
1
SSW
15
1.9
SW
14
3
SW
13
4
SW
13
4
SW
13
3.5
SW
14
3
SW
13
2.5
SW
13
2.1
SW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
892
617
647
506
455
984
718
643
528
383
350
254
474
1459
2600
6156
5105
4581
2911
2174
1417
Wind (km/h)
5
NE
5
E
10
N
0
NNE
5
E
10
N
0
ENE
10
E
10
NNE
10
W
10
W
5
NW
0
SSW
10
SSE
5
N
20
WSW
5
SW
15
ENE
5
NNW
10
SW
10
W
Wind State
cross-off
cross
off
glassy
cross
off
glassy
cross
off
cross
cross
glassy
glassy
on
off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
off
cross-on
cross
High Tide
5:24PM1.77m
5:31AM1.64m
5:54PM1.75m
6:03AM1.58m
6:27PM1.70m
6:39AM1.49m
7:04PM1.62m
7:21AM1.37m
7:51PM1.50m
8:19AM1.23m
9:00PM1.37m
9:56AM1.14m
10:48PM1.31m
Low Tide
11:09AM0.08m
11:32PM0.20m
11:37AM0.11m
00:05AM0.23m
12:08PM0.18m
00:40AM0.29m
12:42PM0.27m
1:23AM0.37m
1:24PM0.39m
2:18AM0.48m
2:22PM0.53m
3:41AM0.58m
3:58PM0.63m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
light rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:20
7:20
7:18
7:18
7:16
7:16
7:15
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:46
5:47
5:49
5:49
5:50
5:51
5:51
 mm
1
2
Temp °C
19
22
19
22
23
19
24
25
21
22
19
17
17
19
15
14
14
13
18
21
14
Feels °C
16
19
17
20
21
17
22
22
17
20
15
16
17
18
15
11
13
12
17
19
13
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
How to use the Wavefinder 
submit an eyeball surf report

Quick surf report for The Heads:

join our community of surf reporters

FREE! Surf-Forecast.com widget for your website

The surf report / weather widget below is available to embed on third party websites free of charge and provides a summary of our The Heads surf forecast. Simply grab the html code snippet that we provide and paste it into your own site. You can choose your preferred language and metric/imperial units for the surf forecast feed to suit users of your site. Click here to get the code.


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.

Nearest locationNearest