
Surf Forecasts:
The Heads surf forecast from 7 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 7 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 15s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 16s period, SW swell with 2,721 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 7 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 15s period with SSW 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 (Sep 07) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 1.8m 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 2.3m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Thu 10th Sep) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break this down for The Heads. I’ve been staring at the charts, and there’s some decent action if you know when to go. There are gaps, too, so let’s be smart about it.
The first surf worth mentioning kicks off Monday, September 7th, but it’s not worth paddling out. A 7-foot swell from the SSW with a long 14-second period and moderate wave energy. That’s okay on paper, but the cross-shore wind and choppy surface will ruin it. Tide conditions are poor. Skip it.
Tuesday, September 8th, the morning is the first real chance. The wind goes glassy, pushing a clean 5-foot swell from the E with a 9-second period. The energy is moderate, but that glassy wind makes it worthwhile. It won’t be a classic, but it’ll be clean. The afternoon is spoiled by an onshore breeze, so get in the water early.
The rest of the week is a slow burn until we hit Thursday, September 10th. And this, right here, is one of the two standout windows in the forecast. The morning has a solid 6-foot swell from the SSW, and the period is a very long 17 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell with strong energy. The wind is glassy - absolutely perfect conditions. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing crazy. The Heads is a sandbar, so it’s always a bit fickle, but with a long-period groundswell like this, it should open up. Crowds are possible, but a Thursday morning should thin them out. This is the best bet in the first week.
Friday, September 11th, is your second real standout. Another glassy start, this time with a 6-foot swell from the SW and a 13-second period. The energy is strong. The conditions are clean and excellent for experienced surfers. The afternoon will see some cross-shore bumps, so hit it early.
The weekend starts rough on Saturday the 12th with strong cross-winds and a messy surface. Sunday, September 13th, makes up for it. A glassy morning with a 7-foot SW swell, 14-second period, and very high energy (2899). This is the proper goods. The afternoon stays clean with a cross-off breeze. This session is as good as it gets.
From Monday the 14th through Tuesday the 15th, the quality drops off. There are some marginal windows, but the wind and chop make them hard to recommend. Tuesday afternoon has a 10-foot SW swell with massive energy (3870), but the cross-shore wind and chop will make it ugly.
Then we hit a massive spike. September 18th and 19th are out of control for paddle surfer. We’ve got 15-foot to 16-foot swells from the ESE with enormous energy. The wind is glassy, but that is a massive, dangerous amount of water. The Heads will be shut down, and it’s only for experts or, more likely, kite surfers to enjoy. Stay on the beach for this one.
Finally, Sunday, September 20th, the morning brings a nice reset. A 6-foot SW groundswell with a 15-second period, glassy wind, and high energy. It’s a clean, powerful session to finish the run.
So here’s the takeaway: the absolute best sessions on offer are the morning of Thursday, September 10th (6ft, very long period, glassy) and the morning of Sunday, September 13th (7ft, long period, glassy). Those are the ones I’d drive for. The rest is a waiting game with some big but wild days in between.
This is Rusty, signing off. Get out there and get some.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Tue afternoon, min 15°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Sat afternoon, min 16°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | ESE 9 | E 9 | SW 12 | E 9 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 17 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1797 | 1261 | 516 | 380 | 314 | 175 | 198 | 290 | 277 | 1146 | 2721 | 1830 | 1319 | 865 | 463 | 461 | 776 | 1845 | 1533 | 1201 | 701 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | off | glassy | cross | glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross | glassy |
High Tide | 1:22PM1.41m | 1:40AM1.49m | 2:07PM1.61m | 2:23AM1.63m | 2:45PM1.78m | 3:00AM1.73m | 3:19PM1.90m | 3:34AM1.79m | 3:51PM1.96m | 4:06AM1.79m | 4:21PM1.95m | 4:36AM1.75m | 4:50PM1.88m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:36PM0.42m | 7:57AM0.28m | 8:22PM0.24m | 8:34AM0.13m | 9:00PM0.11m | 9:08AM0.03m | 9:34PM0.02m | 9:40AM-0.02m | 10:05PM-0.01m | 10:09AM-0.01m | 10:35PM0.01m | 10:38AM0.04m | 11:02PM0.08m | ||||||||
6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | |
— | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Temp °C | 22 | 25 | 23 | 27 | 28 | 22 | 27 | 26 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 19 | 23 | 20 | 16 |
Feels °C | 22 | 24 | 23 | 27 | 27 | 22 | 27 | 25 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 17 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSE 7 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SW 14 | SW 9 |
1797 | 1261 | 516 | 380 | 256 | 175 | 92 | 290 | 277 | 1146 | 2721 | 1830 | 1319 | 865 | 178 | 305 | 675 | 1229 | 761 | 1201 | 454 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | SSE 12 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 14 | E 10 | E 10 | SW 12 | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | SSW 8 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 14 | ESE 10 | SW 13 |
310 | 50 | 437 | 222 | 314 | 142 | 198 | 90 | 65 | 463 | 56 | 57 | 37 | 169 | 463 | 461 | 776 | 1845 | 1533 | 556 | 701 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SW 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | E 11 | SSE 9 | — | SE 6 | E 11 | SSW 11 | — | — | — | — | SW 6 | ESE 9 |
35 | 57 | 236 | 154 | 77 | 27 | 114 | 36 | 16 | 55 | 8 | — | 8 | 37 | 133 | — | — | — | — | 128 | 355 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | ESE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 3 | SSW 4 | — | — | — | — | E 10 | — | — | — | WSW 3 | — | — |
504 | 344 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 7 | — | — | — | — | 30 | — | — | — | 7 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Garden Route | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










