The Heads Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.07° S 23.06° E

The Heads Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 20 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Heads sea temperature is
14.6°C
2.9° 

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 20 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 20 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 14s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 26 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 15s period, SW swell with 1,956 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 20 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 14s 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 Sunday (Sep 20) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m 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 2.2m 15s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 26) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8AM (Sun 20th Sep)7.5ft (2.3m) 14s
Best Surf 8AM (Sun 20th Sep)7.5ft (2.3m) 14s
Most Powerful 2PM (Sat 26th Sep)7ft (2.2m) 15s

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


Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 29°C on Tue afternoon, min 15°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 33mm), heaviest during Fri night. Warm (max 23°C on Wed afternoon, min 17°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
20
Monday
21
Tuesday
22
Wednesday
23
Thursday
24
Friday
25
Saturday
26
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
3
0
0
2
3
1
2
2
2
1
1
2
3
2
1
3
3
4
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.3
SW
13
2
SW
13
1.6
SW
13
1.3
SW
12
1.2
SW
12
1
SW
11
1.6
E
7
1.1
SW
13
1.1
SW
12
1
SW
11
1
E
9
1.4
SSW
10
1.2
S
8
0.9
SSW
14
1.8
SSW
12
1.7
SSW
12
1.5
SW
12
1.6
SSW
12
2
SSW
15
2.1
SW
14
2.1
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1783
1319
838
520
403
241
264
418
303
228
165
396
163
341
934
756
594
635
1714
1836
1549
Wind (km/h)
5
S
5
SE
5
ENE
15
ESE
25
ESE
15
ENE
5
E
10
ESE
10
NNW
10
NNW
5
SW
5
W
10
SE
15
ESE
0
N
10
SE
20
E
10
ENE
15
WNW
10
WNW
25
WNW
Wind State
on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross
cross-on
cross
glassy
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
12:12PM1.04m
00:26AM1.10m
1:08PM1.20m
1:13AM1.25m
1:38PM1.37m
1:45AM1.40m
2:05PM1.54m
2:14AM1.53m
2:31PM1.69m
2:42AM1.65m
2:58PM1.82m
3:11AM1.74m
3:26PM1.91m
3:41AM1.79m
Low Tide
6:23PM0.81m
6:51AM0.66m
7:16PM0.65m
7:25AM0.51m
7:46PM0.50m
7:53AM0.36m
8:14PM0.34m
8:19AM0.23m
8:41PM0.20m
8:46AM0.12m
9:09PM0.08m
9:13AM0.04m
9:38PM-0.00m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
thunderstorm
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
thunderstorm
rain showers
mod rain
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:20
6:18
6:18
6:16
6:15
6:13
6:11
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:22
6:22
6:22
6:23
6:24
6:24
6:25
 mm
1
3
3
3
1
5
18
7
10
9
Temp °C
20
20
17
20
20
18
27
29
24
21
23
17
21
21
18
21
22
19
19
20
17
Feels °C
19
19
17
19
18
18
27
29
24
22
23
18
22
20
19
22
23
19
20
21
17
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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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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