
Surf Forecasts:
The Heads surf forecast from 7 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 10 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 10 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, SSW swell with 3,708 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 7 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 12s 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 Tuesday (Jul 07) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. 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 3.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 10) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Monday (Jul 13) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Tue 7th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Fri 10th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Fri 10th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Heads over the next 16 days.
Alright, let’s get into it. This is Rusty, and I’m looking at the next couple of weeks for The Heads. There’s a bit of a slow start, but there are some proper windows of clean, solid surf on the horizon.
The first recommendation is Tuesday afternoon, July 7th. The Heads picks up a solid 6ft SW swell with a period of 12 seconds, glassy conditions from a light SSW breeze. The combined wave energy is moderate at 1037. The water temp is sitting at 63°, which is about normal for this time of year. It’s a clean, inviting session for intermediate surfers.
Wednesday morning, July 8th, the swell builds to 7ft from the SW, period 13 seconds. The energy jumps to 1870, but a W cross-wind kicks in, so it’s not as clean as Tuesday. The afternoon goes cross-onshore and choppy, so that’s a skip.
Thursday, July 9th, is a standout. The swell hits 10ft from the SSW, period 14 seconds, and the combined energy is a strong 3474. Thursday afternoon is glassy with a light SSW breeze. That’s excellent surf for experienced surfers. The Heads is a sandbar, so with a long-period groundswell like that, expect some straight-breaking lines, but when it’s glassy, it’s a proper session.
Friday, July 10th, holds the 10ft SSW swell, with glassy conditions again in the afternoon. The energy is 2863. Another solid day for the advanced crew.
Saturday, July 11th, drops to 8ft from the SSW, but the wind turns ESE to SE, bringing cross to cross-on conditions. It’s still surfable, but not as clean.
Sunday, July 12th, the swell backs off to 5ft from the SSW, period 11 seconds, and glassy conditions return in the morning. Energy is down to 955. Good for a fun, relaxed paddle.
Monday, July 13th, the swell shifts to a shorter-period ESE windswell, 6ft to 6ft, period 8-9 seconds. Energy is around 700-800. Only marginal with cross-shore wind.
Tuesday, July 14th, is another highlight. The swell is 6ft from the ESE, period 10 seconds, with completely glassy conditions in the morning (zero wind). The energy is 848. That’s a clean, promising window for a mid-week paddle.
Wednesday, July 15th, the swell drops to 3ft, but a NNW offshore breeze in the morning keeps it clean. The energy is low at 329. The afternoon turns onshore and choppy with a strong WSW wind, so that’s a nope.
From Thursday, July 16th, through Friday, July 17th, it gets messy. Strong winds from the W and WSW, lumpy cross-chop, and poor conditions. The swell is 3ft to 5ft from the SW, but the energy is in the 500-800 range, and the wind is ruining it. This stretch is a write-off.
Saturday, July 18th, is a quiet turnaround. The swell is only 3ft from the WSW, period 11 seconds, but the morning is clean with a light NW cross-off breeze. Energy is low, but it’s clean.
Now, Sunday, July 19th, is the best on offer in the whole outlook. The swell jumps to 8ft from the SW, period 14 seconds, and the combined energy is a strong 2882. The morning has a light ENE cross-off breeze, and the afternoon is clean with a light E breeze. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. The Heads handles an 8ft groundswell well, but it’s only for the confident crew.
Monday, July 20th, holds 6ft from the SW, period 12 seconds, with a clean offshore N breeze. Energy is 992. Very good conditions.
Tuesday, July 21st, drops to 5ft from the SSW, period 10 seconds, with light offshore winds. Clean, but smaller.
Wednesday, July 22nd, brings a 6ft SW swell, period 10 seconds, with a clean cross-off breeze in the morning. Energy is 783. The afternoon jumps to 8ft from the SSW, period 11 seconds, energy 1448, but the wind turns cross-shore, so it’s a bit messier.
Best bet: Thursday, July 9th, afternoon glass with 10ft SSW, and Sunday, July 19th, with the 8ft SW clean conditions. Those are the two standouts for experienced surfers. The early week of July 14th is also a solid, clean option for intermediates.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tue 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
970 | 1498 | 1569 | 1450 | 2549 | 3463 | 2848 | 3708 | 3468 | 2860 | 2282 | 1929 | 1840 | 907 | 550 | 394 | 456 | 361 | 524 | 928 | 692 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross | off | cross | cross | cross-off | glassy |
High Tide | 8:36PM1.48m | 9:05AM1.23m | 9:46PM1.44m | 10:33AM1.20m | 11:10PM1.43m | 12:05PM1.25m | 00:31AM1.50m | 1:19PM1.36m | 1:38AM1.60m | 2:17PM1.51m | 2:34AM1.69m | 3:08PM1.65m | 3:23AM1.77m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:05PM0.42m | 3:05AM0.50m | 3:08PM0.50m | 4:23AM0.51m | 4:29PM0.55m | 5:49AM0.47m | 6:00PM0.52m | 7:05AM0.37m | 7:18PM0.42m | 8:06AM0.25m | 8:21PM0.30m | 8:57AM0.13m | 9:15PM0.19m | 9:43AM0.05m | |||||||
— | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | |
5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | 5:35 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 17 |
Feels °C | 16 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SE 7 | SSW 11 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 |
970 | 1498 | 1569 | 1450 | 2549 | 3463 | 2848 | 3708 | 3468 | 2860 | 2282 | 1929 | 1840 | 907 | 213 | 394 | 327 | 361 | 524 | 928 | 692 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | ESE 9 | SE 17 | SE 16 | SE 15 | SE 14 | E 13 | — | W 12 | W 12 | SW 18 | SSW 11 | SSW 16 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SW 10 | SSW 10 |
58 | 38 | 283 | 601 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 3 | — | 3 | 3 | 12 | 550 | 25 | 353 | 222 | 198 | 102 | 68 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 22 | SSW 20 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 18 | SW 16 | W 12 | W 11 | S 13 | S 13 | S 11 | S 10 |
9 | 76 | 18 | 18 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | 10 | 11 | 2 | 123 | 79 | 81 | 47 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 4 | SE 7 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | — | — | — | WSW 5 |
— | — | — | 254 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 36 | 208 | 182 | 343 | 456 | — | — | — | 41 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 7 | 29 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 26 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 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.











