The Heads Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.07° S 23.06° E

The Heads Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 am 31 Oct 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Heads sea temperature is
19.6°C
1.1° 

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 31 Oct 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 5 Nov, 5PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 12s period, SW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 5 Nov, 5PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 12s period, SW swell with 3,288 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 1 Nov, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 14s 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 (Nov 01) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 2s 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 3.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Nov 05) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Sun 1st Nov)3ft (0.9m) 14s
Best Surf 5PM (Thu 5th Nov)11ft (3.5m) 12s
Most Powerful 5PM (Thu 5th Nov)11ft (3.5m) 12s

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


Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Warm (max 23°C on Sat morning, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Wed morning, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
31
Sunday
1
Monday
2
Tuesday
3
Wednesday
4
Thursday
5
Friday
6
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
2
1
3
3
2
1
2
0
1
3
2
1
3
0
!
4
1
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
WSW
12
1.1
SW
11
0.9
SW
14
1.7
SW
14
2
SW
13
1.8
SW
12
1.6
SW
12
1.6
SW
12
1.4
SW
11
1.4
SSW
10
1.7
SSW
14
1.9
SSW
13
1.7
SSW
13
1.6
SW
13
1.4
SW
12
2.3
SW
10
3.5
SW
12
2.3
SW
12
1.9
SW
11
2.1
SW
11
1.8
SW
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
365
293
304
1139
1306
959
747
666
479
400
990
1198
998
803
540
1086
3288
1356
835
972
625
Wind (km/h)
10
SSW
10
SSE
10
WNW
15
SW
10
W
5
WNW
10
S
15
SE
10
NE
10
SE
10
ESE
5
NNW
10
SSE
10
SE
10
WNW
20
SW
15
WSW
5
NW
10
S
10
SSW
15
WSW
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-off
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-off
on
on
cross
High Tide
7:13PM1.34m
8:07AM1.30m
8:43PM1.19m
9:56AM1.28m
10:41PM1.17m
11:30AM1.38m
00:05AM1.26m
12:30PM1.50m
00:59AM1.37m
1:15PM1.61m
1:41AM1.47m
1:52PM1.70m
2:16AM1.55m
Low Tide
1:01PM0.50m
1:36AM0.49m
2:32PM0.63m
3:11AM0.59m
4:35PM0.63m
4:55AM0.57m
6:05PM0.52m
6:09AM0.48m
7:00PM0.39m
7:00AM0.39m
7:41PM0.28m
7:40AM0.31m
8:14PM0.19m
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
mod rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:28
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—
5:26
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—
5:26
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—
5:24
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—
5:24
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—
5:22
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—
5:22
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<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
—
6:53
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—
6:54
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—
6:55
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—
6:57
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6:58
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6:59
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7:00
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 mm
—
—
—
6
2
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
2
Temp °C
23
23
20
17
17
16
19
19
17
22
22
18
25
25
21
18
18
17
20
20
17
Feels °C
24
23
21
16
16
16
18
18
17
21
20
18
24
24
23
17
17
16
18
18
16
  • 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
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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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