Surf Forecasts:
The Heads surf forecast from 27 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 27 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 17s period, SSW swell with cross-onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 27 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 17s period, SSW swell with 7,034 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 27 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 17s 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 (Jul 27) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 17s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-onshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at The Heads in the next 16 days are 3.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 27) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Mon 27th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Mon 27th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Mon 27th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s cooking at The Heads.
The forecast kicks off Monday the 27th with a decent SW swell, but it’s messy. A 7ft SW swell (12-second period) with a cross-shore wind, but it’s choppy. The energy is moderate (1738). The afternoon gets bigger, up to 10ft (17-second period), but the onshore wind chops it up. Not the day for your best glassy rides.
Tuesday and Wednesday follow a similar theme – surf in the 6ft to 8ft range, with cross-shore winds and a cross-chop. The energy stays moderate (between 1463 and 2740). It’s okay, but it’s not a standout.
Then we get a little breather. Thursday morning the 30th – the wind goes glassy, 5ft SW swell (13-second period). That’s clean, with only 1210 energy, but it’s a moment of calm. Friday morning the 31st is also clean with a light offshore breeze, 4ft SW swell. These are small, but the glassy conditions make them a treat for a longboard or a fun board. Crowds are possible, so get in early.
The real standout is shaping up for the first week of August. Tuesday morning the 4th is a beast – 12ft of WSW swell (12-second period), but it’s glassy. The energy is strong (6122). The catch? That swell is too big for this break at 12ft; it’s expert territory. If you’re experienced, this is the one. The following Thursday morning the 6th is also a gem: 8ft SW swell (14-second period), glassy as can be, and the energy is strong (2972). This is excellent for experienced surfers – clean, powerful, and the wind is calm.
After that, Friday the 7th sees another 12ft SW swell, but it’s cross-onshore and choppy, so it’s blown out for the most part. Saturday the 8th morning is glassy with 8ft SSW swell (14-second period) – another great session for the skilled crew. The energy is strong (3049).
Into the second week, things settle down. Sunday the 9th and Monday the 10th offer clean, 6ft to 7ft SSW swell with offshore winds. It’s good, solid, and consistent. The energy is still moderate (2152 to 2770). By Tuesday the 11th, it’s fading with a shorter period ESE swell, so that’s the tail end.
Water temp is 63°F, which is about average for this time of year, so no need to worry about a cold snap.
The real standout sessions are the glassy mornings on Thursday the 6th and Saturday the 8th of August. Those are the ones to clear your calendar for – clean, powerful, and for the experienced surfer.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | ESE 7 | E 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | E 10 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1206 | 5311 | 5674 | 2378 | 2281 | 1570 | 1182 | 1127 | 1061 | 854 | 700 | 613 | 466 | 410 | 1045 | 534 | 559 | 655 | 710 | 479 | 1254 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:59PM1.44m | 3:04AM1.53m | 3:30PM1.55m | 3:35AM1.61m | 3:59PM1.64m | 4:04AM1.66m | 4:28PM1.71m | 4:33AM1.68m | 4:56PM1.75m | 5:01AM1.68m | 5:24PM1.77m | 5:31AM1.64m | 5:54PM1.75m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:50AM0.36m | 9:01PM0.42m | 9:20AM0.26m | 9:32PM0.33m | 9:48AM0.18m | 10:03PM0.26m | 10:15AM0.12m | 10:32PM0.22m | 10:42AM0.08m | 11:02PM0.19m | 11:09AM0.08m | 11:32PM0.20m | 11:37AM0.11m | 00:05AM0.23m | |||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — |
 | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — |
mm | — | 2 | 8 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 19 | 15 | 21 | 25 | 20 | 23 | 22 | 15 |
Feels °C | 14 | 14 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 11 | 17 | 21 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | ESE 7 | ESE 9 | SW 12 | E 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | E 10 | SW 15 |
| kJ | 1206 | 5311 | 5674 | 2378 | 2281 | 1570 | 1182 | 1127 | 1061 | 854 | 700 | 227 | 446 | 330 | 399 | 534 | 559 | 655 | 710 | 479 | 1254 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | E 8 | — | — | SE 7 | ESE 7 | — | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | — | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 15 | SE 8 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | E 10 |
| kJ | 463 | 992 | 5 | — | — | 173 | 180 | — | 254 | 154 | — | 613 | 466 | 85 | 297 | 187 | 213 | 369 | 386 | 297 | 361 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 9 | — | SW 19 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 15 | S 13 | S 10 | SSW 16 | SW 4 |
| kJ | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 162 | — | 14 | 310 | 84 | 75 | 3 | 18 | 284 | 7 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 6 | E 8 | — | SE 8 | SE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 7 | E 7 | ESE 6 | E 7 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | E 8 | — | — | — | W 3 | WSW 4 | — |
| kJ | 62 | 10 | — | 362 | 252 | 335 | 247 | 336 | 374 | 202 | 260 | 554 | 92 | 410 | 1045 | — | — | — | 3 | 5 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 7 | 172 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 8 | 11 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Garden Route | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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