The Heads surfForecast / Garden Route / South Africa

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 7 pm Friday 24 Apr 2026 SAST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
The Heads surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's The Heads sea temperature is
18.5° C
(Which is slightly cooler than normal)

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 Friday (Apr 24) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at The Heads in the next 16 days are 4.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Apr 28) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Fri 24th Apr)4.5ft (1.3m) 9s
Best Surf 2AM (Mon 27th Apr)11ft (3.5m) 9s
Most Powerful 8AM (Tue 28th Apr)15ft (4.5m) 12s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 29°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun morning, fresh winds from the W by Sun night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Fri
1
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
1
0
0
2
!
1
!
!
!
!
!
3
3
3
2
3
!
3
3
Swell
Height Map
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
ESE
9
0.9
SW
12
0.8
SW
11
0.8
SW
11
0.8
E
9
1.5
WSW
9
3.5
WSW
9
3
WSW
10
4
SW
11
4
SW
11
4
SSW
13
3.5
SSW
13
3.5
S
12
3
S
12
2.5
S
12
1.9
SSE
11
1.4
SSE
11
2.2
SSW
13
3.5
SSW
14
2.5
SSW
14
3
SSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
264
220
171
134
103
354
2189
1801
3534
4498
5602
4485
3447
2956
1790
927
408
1631
4594
2689
2895
Wind (km/h)
10
NNE
10
NW
5
W
5
WSW
10
S
10
SSE
25
W
30
W
30
WSW
25
W
25
W
15
WSW
5
N
5
ESE
10
ESE
10
NW
10
WSW
10
SW
10
NW
10
ESE
15
ESE
off
cross-off
cross
cross
on
on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross
High Tide
10:49PM1.26m
11:31AM1.18m
00:11AM1.38m
12:41PM1.28m
1:03AM1.51m
1:27PM1.39m
1:42AM1.61m
2:04PM1.48m
2:14AM1.69m
2:36PM1.55m
2:45AM1.74m
3:06PM1.60m
3:14AM1.75m
3:35PM1.63m
Low Tide
5:27AM0.64m
5:44PM0.57m
6:43AM0.51m
6:45PM0.47m
7:30AM0.38m
7:29PM0.38m
8:05AM0.28m
8:04PM0.30m
8:35AM0.20m
8:35PM0.25m
9:03AM0.15m
9:05PM0.22m
9:29AM0.13m
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:56
6:58
6:58
6:58
7:00
7:01
7:01
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:53
5:52
5:52
5:51
5:50
5:49
5:47
5:46
7
2
Temp °C
23
29
28
20
20
19
16
15
16
15
16
17
14
18
19
14
17
17
15
18
20
22
27
26
19
20
18
12
8
8
8
10
12
13
16
16
13
15
14
14
15
16
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
ESE
9
1.1
E
9
0.9
E
9
0.8
SW
11
0.8
E
9
1.2
SW
9
0.6
E
10
1.5
SSW
11
0.4
E
10
4
SW
11
4
SSW
13
3.5
SSW
13
3.5
S
12
3
S
12
2.5
S
12
1.9
SSE
11
1.4
SSE
11
2.2
SSW
13
3.5
SSW
14
2.5
SSW
14
3
SSW
14
Energy kJ
264
194
130
134
103
226
65
534
31
4077
5602
4485
3447
2956
1790
927
408
1631
4594
2689
2895
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SSW
11
0.9
SW
12
0.8
SW
11
0.7
E
8
0.8
WSW
7
0.8
E
9
0.3
SW
15
0.5
E
10
0.3
E
11
0.2
E
11
0.2
E
11
0.3
E
10
0.3
E
10
1.1
SW
10
1.1
SW
10
1
SW
9
0.9
SSE
11
0.7
SSE
10
1.4
S
17
0.4
SE
9
Energy kJ
186
220
171
66
57
96
34
50
20
9
9
18
18
246
246
163
210
86
1103
20
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
S
10
0.2
S
9
0.4
SW
3
0.5
SW
4
0.7
SW
10
0.3
SW
15
0.2
SSE
14
0.3
E
10
0.3
E
10
0.4
SW
14
0.6
SW
13
0.8
SSW
14
0.2
E
10
0.2
E
9
0.4
SSE
10
0.2
E
10
Energy kJ
8
7
4
9
96
34
18
19
18
73
130
226
7
7
36
7
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SW
3
1.5
WSW
9
3.5
WSW
9
3
WSW
10
4
SW
11
4
SW
11
0.7
ESE
5
Energy kJ
2
354
2189
1801
3534
4498
23
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
2
1
2
1
4
4
4
6
5
5
4
4
3
3
4
5
5
4
Distance (km)
0
0
7
7
29
26
29
499
415
87
8
8
11
26
8
0
7
7
8
8
26
Best forecast wave conditions in Garden Route
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
2
1
2
1
4
6
5
5
4
4
4
3
4
5
5
4
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
2
2
2
4
3
4
4
5
6
5
6
5
4
4
3
4
5
6
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
4
5
7
5
8
6
6
5
5
7
9
5
5
5
5
5
6
6
5
  • 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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