The Heads Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get stuck into it.

The surf this week at The Heads (Southeast) is going to be a bit of a mixed bag to be honest. There’s a solid pulse of energy on the way, but the ocean is going to be throwing a few tantrums in the middle there. It’s not all bad though, there are definitely windows of clean, rippable surf if you pick your moments. The water temp is sitting at 62.8°F, which is pretty much spot on for this time of year, so no drama there.

We start off the first day, Saturday the 1st, with some decent size. The morning looks great with 8.2ft of ESE swell, a solid 9-second period and a light offshore breeze. The energy is strong at 1728, and it’s clean. This is one for the experienced surfers for sure, but it’s a good way to kick things off. The afternoon drops a touch to 6.6ft, but the wind swings cross-shore, so it gets a little messier.

Sunday the 2nd is a story of two halves. The morning is pure glass with 6.2ft of ESE swell and no wind at all. That’s a magic window, clean lines and no bump. The energy is moderate at 861. The afternoon gets a little lumpy with a light cross-shore breeze and the swell backs off slightly to 5.9ft.

Monday the 3rd has a similar vibe. Another glassy morning with 5.9ft and an 11-second period, which gives it a touch more push. The energy is up a bit at 1255. The afternoon sees the wind pick up and it goes a bit cross-shore again, bringing in some ripples.

Then we get a change. Tuesday the 4th sees the swell drop right down to 3.9ft and swing to the SW. The period is still okay but the energy drops off, 744. It’s a bit of a nothing day, cross-shore winds and small, weak waves.

Wednesday the 5th starts off small and clean with a glassy 3.3ft SSW groundswell. This swell has a long 15-second period, which is nice, but there just isn’t much size to it. Then, hold on, the afternoon is where things start to get interesting. The swell pushes back up to 6.2ft from the SW with a 14-second period and the energy jumps to 1655. There’s some cross-onshore wind, but the raw power is coming back.

Thursday the 6th is when the ocean decides to flex its muscles. We’ve got a big 13.1ft SW swell with a 13-second period. The energy readings are huge, over 6000 in the morning. The problem is, it’s raining and the wind is howling cross-onshore, making it a complete mess. This is way too big for most people and the conditions will be poor. The afternoon eases up on the wind but this swell is just too much for this break.

Friday the 7th is the serious standout. After a day so big it’s unsurfable, it drops to a still-chunky 9.8ft from the SW. The period is a solid 13 seconds and, crucially, we get a light offshore NNW wind in the morning. The energy is still very strong at 2983. The conditions will be clean and powerful. This is for experienced surfers only, but this is the pick of the week. The afternoon is a come-down, with the wind going cross-onshore.

Saturday the 8th is a write-off. The swell is still huge, between 9.8ft and 11.5ft, but it’s accompanied by a fresh cross-onshore breeze and rain. It’s going to be lumpy, choppy and generally horrible. The energy is strong, over 4000, but it’s going to waste.

Sunday the 9th doesn’t get much better. Another day of 8.2ft to 9.8ft SW swell with strong onshore and cross-onshore winds. More rain and showers. The surf quality will be poor.

Monday the 10th, we have the size again, up to 14.8ft from the S. The winds have eased, so the ocean isn't as wild

Read more