The Heads Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.07° S 23.06° E

The Heads Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 05 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Heads sea temperature is
16.2°C
1.1° 

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 6 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with 5,509 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 2.0m 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 17s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 5PM. 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+) 5AM (Mon 7th Sep)7.5ft (2.3m) 15s
Best Surf11PM (Sat 12th Sep)7ft (2.2m) 15s
Most Powerful 5PM (Sun 6th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what The Heads has got cookin’ for us over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, it’s a bit of a slow start. We’ve got some swell, but the quality is pretty average for the first few days. The real standout window is looking like Saturday the 12th and then again early the following week. The combined swell energy is strong, reaching over 3500 (moderate to strong wave energy) at its best, so there’s plenty of push, but you’ve gotta pick your moments.

The Heads (sandbar) is a fairly consistent spot, fairly exposed to the swell. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Sunday, September 6th kicks off with an 8.2ft SSW swell but with a strong 15.5 mph cross-shore wind from the east. It’s messy with a cross-chop and the combined energy is high at 4932 (strong wave energy), but the conditions are poor. Not one for the board.

Monday, September 7th sees the swell drop to 6.9ft from the SSW, period a long 14 seconds. The wind goes light and cross-shore in the morning, but the surf is still just marginal. The afternoon gets a cross-onshore breeze, so it’s not cleaning up.

Tuesday, September 8th the swell drops right off, down to 4.6ft from the east with a short period of 9 seconds. The energy drops to 707 (weak to moderate). It’s a small, weak day.

Wednesday, September 9th is a write-off. Swell is tiny, 2.3ft, and the conditions are poor. Not worth paddling out.

Thursday, September 10th the swell bumps back up to 6.9ft from the SW with a 16-second period, but the wind is light cross-onshore. The energy is moderate at 2260, but the wind is just enough to put a wrinkle on it.

Friday, September 11th is similar, 5.9ft SW swell, but onshore winds and rain showers make it a messy one.

Now, Saturday, September 12th – this is the first real highlight. The morning is a bit iffy with rain and a light cross-on, but the afternoon? Glassy. The swell is 6.9ft from the SSW, with a long 16-second period and a combined energy of 3540 (strong wave energy). The description says "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers." That’s clean, lined-up, powerful groundswell. For an experienced surfer, this is your best bet in the first week. The 8ft+ size is solid but not overwhelming for a confident intermediate to expert. Keep in mind the long period means it’ll be a bit walled up, so a sandbar might not be the best, but when it’s glassy, it’s a goer.

Sunday, September 13th is a letdown after that. The swell jumps to 9.8ft in the afternoon, but the period collapses to just 7 seconds. That’s short-period wind swell with a strong cross-on wind. The energy is still moderate at 1459, but it’s going to be lumpy and unruly.

Monday, September 14th morning is another great window. Glassy conditions, 5.2ft SSW swell with a 13-second period, and a combined energy of 1352 (moderate). The report says "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers." This is a cleaner, more manageable size than Saturday, and the glassy wind makes it a joy.

Tuesday, September 15th morning – glassy again, with an 8.2ft SW swell, 12-second period, and energy of 2306 (moderate to strong). This is another standout for the second week. The wind is perfect, and the size is a fun, punchy wave. Afternoon goes onshore, so get it early.

Wednesday, September 16th – a big jump. 9.8ft to 11.5ft SW swell, but the wind is a fresh 18.6 mph cross-shore, then 12.4 mph cross. The energy is massive (4307 and 4556, very strong). The report says the afternoon is "too big for this break." At 11.5ft, this is a total washout for a sandbar, even for experts. The cross-shore wind will make it a washing machine. Probably more interesting for the kite crew.

Thursday, September 17th is still big, 9.8ft SSW,

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 24°C on Tue night, min 16°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
2
3
3
3
3
2
1
2
0
1
1
3
3
2
2
2
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SSW
22
2.5
SSW
19
3
SSW
17
2.4
SSW
16
2.1
SSW
14
1.9
SSW
14
1.8
ESE
9
1.4
E
9
1.1
SW
12
1
E
9
0.7
SW
14
0.9
SW
13
1
SW
13
2.1
SW
16
2.4
SW
15
2.1
SW
14
1.8
SW
13
1.5
SW
13
2.5
SE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
893
4455
5509
2787
1797
1261
528
332
314
175
195
290
335
2185
2772
1688
1037
699
912
Wind (km/h)
20
E
25
E
25
E
15
ENE
5
E
10
ESE
5
NNW
5
E
10
E
10
NW
15
WSW
10
W
5
W
10
ESE
15
E
15
E
15
E
15
E
5
WNW
Wind State
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
High Tide
10:59PM1.21m
12:15PM1.21m
00:43AM1.33m
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
Low Tide
5:49AM0.61m
6:29PM0.60m
7:09AM0.45m
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
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:39
6:39
6:37
6:35
6:33
6:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:10
6:12
6:13
6:14
6:14
6:15
6:15
 mm
4
2
4
Temp °C
16
17
18
16
21
24
22
28
29
24
23
21
16
19
18
17
21
22
18
Feels °C
13
13
14
13
21
24
22
28
28
24
22
20
16
19
17
17
20
20
18
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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