Surf Forecasts:
The Heads surf forecast from 13 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 15 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 16 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, SW swell with 3,580 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 13 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s period with ESE 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 13) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 8s. 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 3.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 16) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Mon 13th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Thu 16th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright mates, Rusty here with the outlook in feet and miles.
Things start slow, with nothing to write home about until Monday afternoon, 13 July. That first wave is a small SSW swell around 3ft with a 10-second period and glassy conditions. The combined energy is weak (395), but it’s clean and rideable. Water temp is 62°, dead average for this time of year.
The real deal kicks in on Thursday, 16 July. Thursday morning at The Heads is looking like a classic. A solid 8ft SSW swell, 14-second period, and glassy. That’s a proper groundswell with moderate to strong energy (2742). Too big for beginners, but for experienced surfers, it’s a dream. Thursday afternoon holds with glassy conditions and a 8ft SW swell.
Friday, 17 July, has a bit of cross-chop in the morning with a 7ft SW swell, but the afternoon cleans up glassy with a 8ft SW swell and 11-second period. Nice.
Then we get a quiet spell through the weekend. Tuesday, 21 July, is the next big standout. A 7ft SSW swell, a very long 16-second period, and glassy. The combined energy is strong (3054). That long period groundswell will be best at the point or reef – the sandbar might get a bit straight with that length.
Wednesday, 22 July, morning is glassy with an 8ft SSW swell, but by the afternoon it’s blown out to 13ft, which is way too big for this spot.
Friday, 24 July, morning offers a clean 7ft S swell with a 12-second period, but the afternoon gets wrecked by a 30 km/h cross-onshore wind, making it lumpy.
The final week winds down, with a glassy session on Tuesday, 28 July, offering a 5ft SW swell and 13-second period, but the energy is fading (993).
The best of the bunch: Thursday, 16 July morning and Tuesday, 21 July morning. Both are glassy, solid, and for experienced surfers only. Crowds are possible at The Heads, so get in before the pack.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon afternoon, min 14°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Thu afternoon, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mon 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 218 | 328 | 268 | 344 | 235 | 180 | 701 | 3580 | 2670 | 1890 | 1086 | 1180 | 1302 | 1087 | 1311 | 1151 | 733 | 519 | 635 | 807 | 611 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross | cross | cross | off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on |
High Tide | 3:08PM1.65m | 3:23AM1.77m | 3:53PM1.76m | 4:08AM1.79m | 4:37PM1.83m | 4:50AM1.77m | 5:18PM1.85m | 5:30AM1.70m | 5:58PM1.81m | 6:09AM1.60m | 6:37PM1.73m | 6:47AM1.48m | 7:15PM1.61m | 7:27AM1.34m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:15PM0.19m | 9:43AM0.05m | 10:03PM0.12m | 10:24AM0.00m | 10:48PM0.10m | 11:03AM0.00m | 11:31PM0.12m | 11:41AM0.05m | 00:12AM0.20m | 12:17PM0.14m | 00:52AM0.30m | 12:52PM0.26m | 1:32AM0.42m | 1:29PM0.40m | |||||||
 |  | | |  | | | | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 |
 | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | 5:38 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 19 | 21 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 21 | 19 | 14 | 16 |
Feels °C | 17 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 18 | 20 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 13 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SW 11 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 10 |
| kJ | 177 | 328 | 268 | 344 | 235 | 180 | 701 | 3580 | 2670 | 1890 | 1086 | 1180 | 1302 | 1087 | 1311 | 1151 | 733 | 519 | 635 | 807 | 611 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SW 9 | SW 4 | SW 6 | SW 17 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | SW 11 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | SSE 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 |
| kJ | 218 | 125 | 81 | 42 | 7 | 51 | 695 | 92 | 72 | 76 | 81 | 79 | 76 | 505 | 85 | 75 | 56 | 331 | 394 | 154 | 61 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | S 10 | SSE 9 | S 9 | SW 12 | SSW 18 | E 9 | — | — | — | — | — | S 16 | E 10 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 13 | E 7 | E 9 | E 9 | SE 12 |
| kJ | 2 | 47 | 28 | 41 | 55 | 121 | 142 | — | — | — | — | — | 75 | 50 | 167 | 98 | 140 | 68 | 74 | 39 | 52 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SW 3 | — | SW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 5 | E 6 | — | W 3 | WSW 4 | WSW 5 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 4 | — | 91 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 109 | 170 | — | 2 | 18 | 31 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 8 |
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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