The Heads surfForecast / Garden Route / South Africa

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 1 am Saturday 04 Apr 2026 SAST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
The Heads surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's The Heads sea temperature is
19.6° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)

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 Saturday (Apr 04) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 9s. 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 4.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Apr 05) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 2s period and expected on Thursday (Apr 09) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8AM (Sat 4th Apr)3.5ft (1.1m) 12s
Best Surf 5PM (Sun 5th Apr)13ft (4.0m) 15s
Most Powerful 8PM (Sun 5th Apr)13ft (4.0m) 16s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 22°C on Sat morning, min 15°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Some drizzle, heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 29°C on Thu morning, min 15°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
04
Sunday
05
Monday
06
Tuesday
07
Wednesday
08
Thursday
09
Friday
10
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
2
2
!
!
!
!
!
2
2
4
2
2
3
3
3
3
2
3
3
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.1
SW
1.1
SW
1.5
SW
3
SW
4
SSW
4
SW
4
SW
4
SSW
3.5
SSW
3
SSW
2.4
SSW
1.9
SSW
1.5
S
1.3
S
1.1
SW
1.3
SW
1.4
SW
1
SW
1.4
SW
1.8
SW
1.8
SW
Period(s) (?)111110121516151413131312121112121216151414
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)2782984512158636682486389640343363028184696962541131954656550880514021251
Wind
(km/h)
10
SW
10
WSW
5
NW
15
SW
10
WSW
20
WSW
20
W
15
SW
5
WSW
10
ESE
25
E
15
ENE
5
SE
15
E
5
N
15
N
5
NNW
5
WNW
5
E
15
NW
15
WNW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
crosscrosscross-
on
glasscross-
on
crosscross-
off
cross-
on
crossglassoffglasscross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
4:53PM
1.65
5:02AM
1.71
5:18PM
1.57
5:27AM
1.60
5:44PM
1.46
5:53AM
1.47
6:12PM
1.34
6:21AM
1.33
6:46PM
1.21
6:57AM
1.19
7:49PM
1.08
8:18AM
1.07
10:49PM
1.06
Low Tide
/ height (m)
10:47AM
0.11
10:51PM
0.19
11:12AM
0.19
11:17PM
0.28
11:37AM
0.29
11:43PM
0.39
12:04PM
0.41
12:11AM
0.52
12:37PM
0.54
12:47AM
0.66
1:28PM
0.67
1:57AM
0.79
3:27PM
0.75
Saturday
04
Sunday
05
Monday
06
Tuesday
07
Wednesday
08
Thursday
09
Friday
10
Sunrise6:41--6:41--6:43--6:43--6:43--6:45--6:46--
Sunset-6:19--6:17--6:15--6:15--6:14--6:12--6:10-
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
cloud
rain showers
clear
rain showers
rain showers
Rain (mm)
-----2-21--------1-23
Temp. °C222119201918181817192016232322292824302821
Feels °C (?)222019191717141414171613222122272826302722
  • 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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