The Heads Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.07° S 23.06° E

The Heads Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 01 Oct 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Heads sea temperature is
15.1°C
2.6° 

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 1 Oct 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 7 Oct, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 7 Oct, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, SW swell with 3,936 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 1 Oct, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 9s period with E 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 Thursday (Oct 01) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 12s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m 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 3.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Oct 07) at 11PM. 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 (Thu 1st Oct)4.5ft (1.4m) 9s
Best Surf11PM (Wed 7th Oct)10ft (3.0m) 15s
Most Powerful11PM (Wed 7th Oct)10ft (3.0m) 15s

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


Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Sat morning. Warm (max 26°C on Thu night, min 15°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 25°C on Mon morning, min 13°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon morning, fresh winds from the WSW by Tue afternoon).

Friday
2
Saturday
3
Sunday
4
Monday
5
Tuesday
6
Wednesday
7
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
1
3
1
2
0
1
2
4
3
2
2
1
1
3
4
3
5
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
E
9
1.3
E
10
1
E
10
1.7
SW
11
1.6
SW
10
1.6
SW
12
1.2
SW
11
1.9
ESE
8
1.4
SW
11
1.7
SW
14
1.6
SW
13
1.4
SW
12
1
SW
14
1.2
SW
13
1.9
SW
12
2.5
SW
15
2.5
SW
15
3
SW
15
3
SW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
339
314
202
739
562
672
344
477
506
1089
816
558
387
479
1039
2936
2668
3357
3883
Wind (km/h)
10
W
15
WSW
5
SSW
5
SW
10
WSW
5
SSE
15
E
20
E
25
E
10
NNE
0
S
5
ESE
10
W
20
WSW
30
W
10
WSW
5
SE
15
ESE
5
N
Wind State
cross
cross-on
on
glassy
cross
on
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
glassy
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
glassy
cross
off
High Tide
6:43AM1.37m
7:08PM1.37m
7:54AM1.21m
8:40PM1.19m
10:13AM1.16m
11:09PM1.18m
12:07PM1.30m
00:35AM1.31m
1:04PM1.49m
1:26AM1.45m
1:45PM1.66m
2:05AM1.58m
Low Tide
00:33AM0.36m
12:47PM0.48m
1:33AM0.54m
2:08PM0.66m
3:26AM0.66m
4:47PM0.70m
5:39AM0.59m
6:31PM0.55m
6:48AM0.45m
7:25PM0.37m
7:33AM0.30m
8:05PM0.22m
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
mod rain
mod rain
light rain
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
cloud
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
—
6:03
—
—
6:01
—
—
6:01
—
—
6:00
—
—
5:58
—
—
5:56
—
—
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:30
—
6:30
—
—
6:30
—
—
6:31
—
—
6:32
—
—
6:32
—
—
6:34
—
 mm
—
—
—
7
8
4
2
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
1
3
—
—
—
Temp °C
26
18
17
16
15
16
16
19
20
17
25
24
20
18
17
14
16
16
13
Feels °C
24
17
16
17
14
16
15
16
16
16
25
23
20
15
13
10
14
12
10
  • 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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