The Heads Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.07° S 23.06° E

The Heads Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 12 Oct 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Heads sea temperature is
16.2°C
1.6° 

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 12 Oct 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 19 Oct, 8PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 15 Oct, 11AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 4,376 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 13 Oct, 2AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 11s 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 Tuesday (Oct 13) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 10s. 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 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Oct 15) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Tue 13th Oct)7ft (2.1m) 11s
Best Surf 8PM (Mon 19th Oct)11ft (3.5m) 10s
Most Powerful11AM (Thu 15th Oct)10ft (3.0m) 16s

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


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Thu afternoon, min 14°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Sat afternoon. Warm (max 25°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
13
Wednesday
14
Thursday
15
Friday
16
Saturday
17
Sunday
18
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
1
2
0
2
4
3
3
4
2
1
2
0
2
3
3
1
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.1
SW
11
1.9
SW
10
1.8
SW
10
1.6
SW
10
1.5
SW
10
1.9
SW
13
2.3
SW
13
3
SW
16
3
SW
14
2.5
SW
14
2.1
SW
13
1.8
SW
13
1.5
SW
12
2.1
SW
12
3
SW
14
2.4
SW
12
2.2
SW
12
1.7
SW
12
2.4
SW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1010
745
690
465
433
1228
1862
4376
3889
2322
1374
1052
614
1111
3020
1627
1336
765
1499
Wind (km/h)
10
WNW
10
SSW
10
SSE
5
E
15
WSW
5
SW
5
SW
10
SE
15
ESE
0
ENE
10
SW
15
SSE
5
N
20
SW
15
SW
5
SSW
10
WSW
15
WSW
15
W
Wind State
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross
glassy
cross-on
on
off
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
4:37AM1.66m
4:46PM1.71m
5:04AM1.57m
5:13PM1.59m
5:32AM1.46m
5:40PM1.46m
6:02AM1.34m
6:10PM1.31m
6:39AM1.21m
6:47PM1.17m
7:46AM1.09m
8:11PM1.05m
Low Tide
10:30PM0.10m
10:35AM0.19m
10:56PM0.18m
11:03AM0.28m
11:23PM0.29m
11:30AM0.40m
11:51PM0.42m
12:00PM0.54m
00:25AM0.55m
12:39PM0.68m
1:16AM0.67m
1:56PM0.80m
3:12AM0.75m
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
—
5:48
—
—
5:48
—
—
5:47
—
—
5:45
—
—
5:43
—
—
5:43
—
—
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:37
—
6:38
—
—
6:39
—
—
6:39
—
—
6:40
—
—
6:42
—
—
6:43
—
 mm
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
4
4
2
2
7
Temp °C
16
16
16
16
20
20
15
21
22
17
25
22
17
20
14
13
13
13
13
Feels °C
16
16
16
16
19
19
15
20
20
15
24
21
17
21
11
11
12
12
9
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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