The Heads surfForecast / Garden Route / South Africa

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 1 am Tuesday 02 Jun 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
18.4° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)

The Heads surf forecast from 2 Jun 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 4 Jun, 2PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 11s period, SE swell with onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 4 Jun, 11PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 12s period, SE swell with 4,376 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 2 Jun, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 12s 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 Tuesday (Jun 02) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 3s 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 4.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jun 04) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 11s period and expected on Wednesday (Jun 03) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Tue 2nd Jun)5ft (1.6m) 12s
Best Surf 2PM (Thu 4th Jun)13ft (4.0m) 11s
Most Powerful11PM (Thu 4th Jun)13ft (4.0m) 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

Heavy rain (total 67mm), heaviest during Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, fresh winds from the ESE by Wed afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun afternoon, min 10°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
2
Wednesday
3
Thursday
4
Friday
5
Saturday
6
Sunday
7
Monday
8
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
0
0
0
0
!
!
!
3
4
4
3
3
3
2
4
4
3
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
SW
11
1.3
WSW
11
1.3
SW
10
1.8
SW
13
4
SE
10
4
SE
10
4
SE
11
4
SE
11
4
SE
12
3.5
SE
12
3
SE
12
2.4
SE
12
1.8
SE
12
1.7
ESE
11
1.5
ESE
11
1.4
SW
11
1.2
ESE
11
1.6
SW
14
1.8
SW
13
1.7
SW
13
1.4
SW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
544
346
334
1094
3323
3673
4035
3984
4139
3089
2449
1655
880
706
536
515
340
1048
1086
954
623
Wind (km/h)
15
W
5
SW
10
ESE
25
ESE
35
ESE
25
SE
25
SSE
20
SSW
20
W
20
W
10
WSW
10
N
5
NNE
5
W
10
NW
5
NE
10
E
5
NNE
10
WNW
5
NW
15
W
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
cross
cross
cross
off
glassy
glassy
cross-off
glassy
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
High Tide
4:54PM1.52m
5:00AM1.54m
5:28PM1.49m
5:33AM1.48m
6:05PM1.45m
6:08AM1.42m
6:46PM1.42m
6:49AM1.35m
7:33PM1.39m
7:40AM1.28m
8:29PM1.38m
8:46AM1.22m
9:35PM1.39m
Low Tide
10:42AM0.25m
10:54PM0.37m
11:14AM0.28m
11:29PM0.42m
11:48AM0.32m
00:07AM0.48m
12:25PM0.36m
00:51AM0.53m
1:07PM0.41m
1:44AM0.57m
1:57PM0.47m
2:50AM0.58m
2:58PM0.51m
4:04AM0.55m
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
mod rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
cloud
cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:24
7:24
7:26
7:26
7:26
7:26
7:28
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:25
5:24
5:24
5:24
5:24
5:24
5:24
3
5
16
22
6
5
10
1
2
Temp °C
18
18
16
15
15
14
15
15
13
15
16
12
15
16
13
17
19
15
18
17
17
16
16
17
11
10
9
10
11
11
10
11
10
13
14
11
15
17
13
16
14
15
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
SW
11
1.3
WSW
11
1.6
S
8
1.8
SW
13
1.6
SW
12
1.3
SW
12
4
SE
11
4
SE
11
4
SE
12
3.5
SE
12
3
SE
12
2.4
SE
12
1.8
SE
12
1.7
ESE
11
1.5
ESE
11
1.4
SW
11
1.2
ESE
11
1.6
SW
14
1.8
SW
13
1.7
SW
13
1.4
SW
13
Energy kJ
544
346
334
1094
730
471
4035
3984
4139
3089
2449
1655
880
706
536
515
340
1048
1086
954
623
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
ESE
8
0.8
SSW
11
1.3
SW
10
1.4
S
9
0.2
W
11
1
SW
12
1
SW
12
1
SW
11
0.9
SSW
11
0.9
SW
11
0.8
SW
14
1.3
S
10
1.2
S
9
1.1
SW
12
1.3
ESE
11
1.1
SW
11
1.3
ESE
11
1
ESE
11
1
E
11
0.9
SW
6
Energy kJ
21
138
311
299
9
273
259
242
211
172
297
326
256
373
401
331
380
254
238
58
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
ESE
8
0.4
ESE
8
0.8
SSW
14
0.4
SSW
14
0.4
SW
18
0.6
SSW
16
0.6
SW
10
0.9
SW
13
1
SW
13
0.9
S
9
0.7
S
8
0.8
SW
14
0.4
ESE
4
0.4
ESE
5
0.4
E
6
0.9
ESE
10
Energy kJ
13
21
250
63
81
175
84
295
336
127
64
265
7
9
12
177
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
WSW
4
0.6
SW
4
2.1
SE
8
4
SE
10
4
SE
10
0.5
SW
4
1.1
SW
6
Energy kJ
10
16
512
3323
3673
6
92
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
3
1
3
4
1
4
1
7
5
5
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
4
4
3
3
Distance (km)
7
7
8
26
886
499
481
172
8
8
8
0
0
0
0
0
8
0
0
0
7
Best forecast wave conditions in Garden Route
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
3
4
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
4
4
4
3
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
3
4
1
4
4
7
5
5
4
5
4
4
4
3
3
4
4
4
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
4
4
5
5
5
5
7
5
5
5
9
8
7
9
9
9
7
7
8
7
  • 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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