The Heads surfForecast / Garden Route / South Africa

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 7 pm Tuesday 24 Mar 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
20.6° 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 Wednesday (Mar 25) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 1.4m and 12s. 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 11s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Mar 29) at 2AM. 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+) 5AM (Wed 25th Mar)7ft (2.2m) 9s
Best Surf 5AM (Wed 25th Mar)7ft (2.2m) 9s
Most Powerful 2AM (Sun 29th Mar)7.5ft (2.3m) 11s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Tue night, min 17°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sat morning, min 15°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
25
Thursday
26
Friday
27
Saturday
28
Sunday
29
Monday
30
Tue
31
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
4
0
2
2
2
1
3
1
1
2
0
2
3
1
2
3
1
0
2
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2.5
ESE
1.3
SSW
1.6
SW
1.2
SSW
1.5
SW
1.9
SW
1.8
SW
1.2
SW
0.8
SSW
1
SW
1.2
SW
1.8
SW
2.3
SW
1.8
SW
1.3
SSW
1.6
SW
1.1
S
1.4
SSW
1.2
SSW
0.9
SSW
0.7
SSW
Period(s) (?)9121211111010911999111012101110101015
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)10945086833235156656502411481652265731215703491582297363282154188
Wind
(km/h)
5
ENE
15
SW
10
W
5
NW
10
S
15
SE
5
E
10
SW
10
W
10
WNW
15
SW
10
SW
5
WNW
10
SSW
10
S
5
N
10
SSE
15
ESE
5
NE
5
S
15
ESE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
glasscross-
on
crosscross-
off
oncross-
on
glasscross-
on
crosscross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
on
onglassoncross-
on
cross-
off
oncross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
7:39AM
1.32
8:30PM
1.16
9:29AM
1.15
11:12PM
1.14
12:01PM
1.18
12:49AM
1.31
1:13PM
1.33
1:39AM
1.49
1:57PM
1.47
2:16AM
1.65
2:32PM
1.58
2:47AM
1.77
3:03PM
1.66
Low Tide
/ height (m)
1:16AM
0.52
2:07PM
0.59
2:48AM
0.70
4:23PM
0.69
5:46AM
0.70
6:29PM
0.59
7:12AM
0.53
7:27PM
0.43
7:59AM
0.36
8:06PM
0.29
8:34AM
0.23
8:38PM
0.18
9:04AM
0.13
Wednesday
25
Thursday
26
Friday
27
Saturday
28
Sunday
29
Monday
30
Tue
31
Sunrise-6:33--6:35--6:35--6:35--6:37--6:37--6:37-
Sunset--6:31--6:30--6:30--6:28--6:27--6:25--6:23
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
---------------------
Temp. °C252322202222192524202121182120172121162323
Feels °C (?)272322202221202524202020182018182019162423
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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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