The Heads Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.07° S 23.06° E

Issued: 1 pm 15 Jun 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Heads sea temperature is
17.3° C

Slightly cooler than normal

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 15 Jun 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 17 Jun, 8PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 13s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 18 Jun, 11AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, SSW swell with 3,415 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 15 Jun, 11PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 11s 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 (Jun 15) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. 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 2.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jun 18) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Jun 17) at 11AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Mon 15th Jun)6ft (1.9m) 11s
Best Surf 8PM (Wed 17th Jun)7ft (2.1m) 13s
Most Powerful11AM (Thu 18th Jun)8ft (2.5m) 16s

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. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sun morning, min 11°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Mon
15
Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
2
1
3
3
3
4
4
3
4
2
1
3
2
2
2
2
3
4
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2
SSW
11
1.8
SSW
11
1.6
SSW
10
1.3
SSW
10
1.6
SSW
12
1.1
SSW
14
2.1
SSW
13
2.4
SSW
14
2.5
SSW
16
2.4
SW
14
2.1
SW
13
1.9
SW
13
2
SSW
12
1.7
SSW
12
1.2
SW
12
1
SW
12
0.9
SW
12
0.7
SW
16
1.6
SW
15
2.3
SW
15
2.3
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
955
718
522
360
710
462
1493
2038
3415
2423
1452
1211
1236
808
430
272
232
264
1187
2173
2185
Wind (km/h)
10
WSW
5
NNW
5
E
10
ESE
10
NE
5
E
10
E
5
N
5
SSE
5
S
5
NNW
10
E
20
E
15
NE
10
NNE
10
NE
10
N
0
N
5
E
5
N
0
NE
Wind State
cross
cross-off
glassy
cross
cross-off
glassy
cross
off
on
on
glassy
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
glassy
cross
off
glassy
High Tide
3:58PM1.71m
4:14AM1.80m
4:45PM1.74m
5:01AM1.75m
5:32PM1.73m
5:47AM1.65m
6:20PM1.68m
6:34AM1.53m
7:09PM1.61m
7:23AM1.39m
8:02PM1.52m
8:18AM1.27m
8:59PM1.44m
9:24AM1.18m
Low Tide
10:04PM0.14m
10:33AM0.04m
10:54PM0.15m
11:18AM0.07m
11:43PM0.21m
12:02PM0.14m
00:34AM0.29m
12:47PM0.23m
1:27AM0.40m
1:33PM0.34m
2:24AM0.49m
2:24PM0.46m
3:29AM0.57m
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:31
7:31
7:31
7:31
7:31
7:33
7:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:24
5:24
5:24
5:24
5:24
5:24
5:24
5:25
 mm
Temp °C
16
14
15
17
14
16
17
14
15
17
15
15
17
14
17
22
19
23
24
21
22
Feels °C
12
13
14
15
13
15
15
13
15
17
16
14
15
11
14
20
16
22
23
20
21
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2
SSW
11
1.8
SSW
11
1.6
SSW
10
1.3
SSW
10
1.6
SSW
12
1.4
SW
11
2.1
SSW
13
2.4
SSW
14
2.5
SSW
16
2.4
SW
14
2.1
SW
13
1.9
SW
13
2
SSW
12
1.7
SSW
12
1.2
SW
12
1
ESE
7
1
E
8
1
E
8
1.6
SW
15
2.3
SW
15
2.3
SW
14
Energy kJ
955
718
522
360
710
462
1493
2038
3415
2423
1452
1211
1236
808
430
102
115
137
1187
2173
2185
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
E
10
0.4
E
9
0.5
E
9
0.9
SSW
13
0.6
SE
7
1.1
SSW
14
0.4
SE
7
0.7
SSW
18
1.3
SSW
16
0.1
E
10
0.4
SSW
16
1.2
ESE
7
1
SW
12
0.9
SW
12
0.9
SW
12
0.9
ESE
9
0.9
ESE
8
0.7
E
9
Energy kJ
16
25
37
246
43
421
18
329
848
2
105
121
272
232
195
126
120
79
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
S
10
0.2
S
9
0.6
SSE
8
0.4
E
8
0.6
SE
7
0.2
E
8
0.4
ESE
7
0.1
E
10
0.7
S
9
0.7
SSE
9
0.6
SSE
9
0.7
SW
16
0.4
SSE
8
0.9
ESE
8
Energy kJ
8
6
37
21
41
4
18
2
79
79
58
264
21
120
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
E
3
0.3
ENE
3
0.5
ESE
3
0.5
E
7
1.3
ESE
5
1.5
ESE
6
Energy kJ
2
2
6
24
95
161
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
2
3
3
3
4
4
5
4
4
4
4
3
2
2
2
2
4
4
4
Distance (km)
7
0
0
8
0
0
8
0
7
26
0
8
26
0
0
0
0
0
7
0
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Garden Route
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
5
4
4
4
4
3
3
2
2
3
4
4
4
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
3
3
3
3
4
4
5
4
4
4
4
4
3
2
3
3
4
4
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
5
4
4
5
5
5
8
7
6
5
6
6
4
9
8
9
9
8
6
  • 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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