The Heads Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.07° S 23.06° E

The Heads Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 am 11 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Heads sea temperature is
15.6°C
1.7° 

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 11 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, ESE swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, SW swell with 3,444 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 11 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 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 Friday (Sep 11) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 1.4m and 7s. 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 3.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Monday (Sep 14) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Fri 11th Sep)4.5ft (1.3m) 12s
Best Surf11AM (Sun 13th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 10s
Most Powerful 5AM (Wed 16th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 15s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s happening at The Heads for the next couple of weeks. There’s some surf, but it’s a real mixed bag, so you gotta pick your moments.

First thing, the water is running a bit colder than usual for the season, about 3.1°F colder than the long-term average, sitting right at 60.1°F. You’ll want the thicker suit.

The next few days are pretty weak. Friday and Saturday have waves, but it’s marginal – swell around 4.6ft to 5.9ft out of the southwest, with light cross-onshore winds making things bumpy. The energy is moderate at best, in the 800 to 1000 range. It’s the kind of surf you check, then decide it’s not worth the paddle. Saturday afternoon does pick up a bit to 6.2ft with a bit more energy, but the wind goes onshore, so it won’t be clean.

Then Sunday hits, and it gets serious. Swell jumps to a solid 11.5ft, but it’s short-period ESE groundswell at 10 seconds. That’s a ton of water, with strong wave energy around 4200. The problem is it’s too big for this sandbar – it’s gonna be a chaotic mess. Wind is up too, 16-19 mph cross-shore, so it’s lumpy and wild. This one is strictly for the experts. Honestly, you might be better off with a kite than a board on this one.

Monday settles down to 6.9ft to 7.9ft, but it’s rainy and the wind is all over the place. Energy is moderate, but the conditions are a washout. Tuesday drops back to that underwhelming 4.9ft to 5.2ft with a short period. Not worth suiting up.

Wednesday the 16th sees a pulse – 7.2ft to 8.2ft SW groundswell on a 14-second period. That’s got proper power behind it, energy in the 1800-2600 range. But it’s raining with onshore wind, so it’ll be a battle. That longer period means better lines, but you’ll have to fight for them.

The middle of the month, from the 17th to the 19th, is back to the 4.6ft to 6.6ft range. Swell direction shifts, but the wind stays cross-shore. Energy drops to 800 to 1600. It’s rideable but forgettable.

Now, keep an eye on Sunday the 20th. The swell builds again to 9.8ft in the morning, easing to 8.2ft by the afternoon, from the SSW with a 15-second period. That’s serious groundswell with strong energy (4000+). The morning wind is light cross-shore, which could make it semi-rideable, but it’s still on the edge of being too big for the sandbar. Long-period swell on a beach break can break a bit straight, so you need to know your banks. It’s a big-wave day for the experienced.

Then we get the real standout: Monday the 21st, first thing. The wind drops to zero – absolutely glassy. The swell is a clean 5.6ft from the SSW on a 13-second period. The energy is moderate, but the conditions are perfect. Clean, glassy, and with some proper push. This is the one. The Heads is fairly consistent, and on a morning like this, it’s gonna be firing. Crowds are possible, but for a wave like that, you’ll deal with it. That’s the best session in the whole 16-day window, no doubt.

After that, it fades hard. Tuesday the 22nd is poor – small, short-period, and the wind picks up to 19 mph. Not worth it. Wednesday and Thursday are nothing special.

But don’t sleep on Thursday the 24th. There’s another pulse of SSW groundswell – 8.2ft on a 14-second period – and the morning wind is light cross-offshore, keeping it clean. The energy is strong (3000+). It’s a powerful, clean day, but again, 8.2ft is pushing it for The Heads. For experienced surfers, this is a proper go. The forecast even calls it “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” That’s a real session,

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Sun morning. Warm (max 20°C on Sat afternoon, min 15°C on Fri morning). Winds increasing (calm on Fri night, fresh winds from the E by Sun night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 36mm), heaviest during Mon afternoon. Warm (max 22°C on Mon morning, min 12°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
3
2
3
2
!
!
4
3
2
3
2
1
4
2
3
4
1
1
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.8
SW
13
1.4
SW
12
1.4
SW
12
1.4
SW
14
1.9
SW
16
2.2
SSW
16
3.5
ESE
10
3.5
ESE
10
3
ESE
10
2.4
ESE
10
2.1
ESE
10
1.7
ESE
10
1.5
E
11
1.6
SW
9
1.8
SW
16
2.5
SW
14
2.2
SW
14
2.1
SW
13
1.6
SW
12
1.4
SW
12
1.9
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1006
580
528
825
1694
2472
2494
2182
1847
1156
916
647
524
440
1643
2492
1770
1430
706
546
1407
Wind (km/h)
5
SSW
10
ESE
0
N
5
W
10
S
25
E
25
ESE
30
E
10
ENE
10
W
10
S
10
NNW
5
SW
10
S
5
SSW
15
S
10
ESE
5
NE
15
E
20
ESE
15
E
Wind State
cross-on
cross
glassy
cross
on
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
on
cross-off
cross-on
on
glassy
on
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
High Tide
3:51PM1.96m
4:06AM1.79m
4:21PM1.95m
4:36AM1.75m
4:50PM1.88m
5:04AM1.68m
5:18PM1.77m
5:32AM1.58m
5:45PM1.63m
5:58AM1.45m
6:11PM1.47m
6:25AM1.31m
6:38PM1.31m
Low Tide
9:40AM-0.02m
10:05PM-0.01m
10:09AM-0.01m
10:35PM0.01m
10:38AM0.04m
11:02PM0.08m
11:05AM0.12m
11:29PM0.18m
11:31AM0.24m
11:54PM0.31m
11:57AM0.38m
00:21AM0.45m
12:24PM0.53m
00:52AM0.59m
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
cloud
light rain
mod rain
cloud
light rain
light rain
heavy rain
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
mod rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:33
6:31
6:30
6:28
6:28
6:26
6:24
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:15
6:15
6:16
6:17
6:17
6:19
6:20
 mm
1
3
6
2
1
18
4
8
5
Temp °C
18
19
16
17
20
17
17
17
19
22
17
16
21
19
16
14
14
14
16
16
15
Feels °C
18
17
16
18
20
19
14
13
18
21
16
15
20
18
16
13
13
13
13
12
12
  • 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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