The Heads surfForecast / Garden Route / South Africa

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 1 pm Sunday 29 Mar 2026 SAST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
The Heads surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's The Heads sea temperature is
19.5° C
(Which is slightly cooler than normal)

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 (Mar 29) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at The Heads in the next 16 days are 1.8m 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Apr 03) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Sun 29th Mar)4.5ft (1.3m) 13s
Best Surf11PM (Tue 31st Mar)8ft (2.4m) 8s
Most Powerful 2AM (Fri 3rd Apr)6ft (1.8m) 14s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Tue morning, min 15°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Fri morning, min 19°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sun
29
Monday
30
Tuesday
31
Wednesday
01
Thursday
02
Friday
03
Saturday
04
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
0
1
2
0
1
3
1
1
2
1
2
4
3
3
2
1
0
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.8
SW
1.4
SW
1
S
1.2
SSW
1.1
S
0.7
S
1.6
ESE
1.9
ESE
0.9
SW
0.9
SW
1
SW
1.3
SW
1.6
SW
1.8
SW
1.8
SW
1.6
SW
1.4
SW
1.1
SW
1.1
SW
0.8
SW
1
SW
Period(s) (?)1010109987813141313121413121212111110
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)6773761982651986822750429030134260971813631144724561298303140204
Wind
(km/h)
10
S
5
N
10
SSE
10
SE
5
NNE
5
SE
10
ESE
10
W
15
W
10
WSW
5
NW
10
SE
10
E
10
NNW
10
SW
10
NW
10
W
15
W
15
SW
15
WNW
5
NW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
onglassoncross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
on
crosscross-
off
crosscross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
on
crossoffcross-
on
cross-
off
crosscrosscross-
on
cross-
off
glass
High Tide
/ height (m)
2:16AM
1.65
2:32PM
1.58
2:47AM
1.77
3:03PM
1.66
3:16AM
1.85
3:32PM
1.71
3:44AM
1.88
4:00PM
1.72
4:11AM
1.86
4:27PM
1.70
4:36AM
1.80
4:53PM
1.65
5:02AM
1.71
Low Tide
/ height (m)
8:06PM
0.29
8:34AM
0.23
8:38PM
0.18
9:04AM
0.13
9:07PM
0.11
9:32AM
0.07
9:34PM
0.08
9:58AM
0.04
10:00PM
0.09
10:23AM
0.06
10:26PM
0.12
10:47AM
0.11
10:51PM
0.19
11:12AM
0.19
Sun
29
Monday
30
Tuesday
31
Wednesday
01
Thursday
02
Friday
03
Saturday
04
Sunrise--6:37--6:37--6:39--6:39--6:41--6:41--6:41
Sunset6:27--6:25--6:23--6:22--6:22--6:20--6:19--
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
Rain (mm)
---------------33----
Temp. °C211722211725252121231925262729232119191818
Feels °C (?)201821191826252321222025272730242319191818
  • Map Icons:
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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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