Surf Forecasts:
The Heads surf forecast from 10 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 10 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 16 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SW swell with 2,940 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 10 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s 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 Friday (Jul 10) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 13s period. 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 3.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 16) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 12s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 11) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5PM (Fri 10th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 5PM (Fri 10th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Thu 16th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Heads over the next 16 days.
Howdy, Rusty here, and I’ve got the lowdown for The Heads. This sandbar break is for the intermediate crowd, and we’ve got a solid run ahead.
The action starts on Friday, July 10th. We’ve got a 3.0m swell from the SSW with a 13-second period – that’s proper groundswell. The combined energy is 3131 (moderate-strong). The afternoon sees glassy conditions with a SW wind at 5 km/h, making it clean as glass. That’s the standout session for the experienced surfer. Water temp is 17°, right about average for this time of year.
Saturday the 11th and Sunday the 12th drop off quick. The swell hangs around 1.6m to 2.5m, but the easterly cross-shore winds kill the quality.
Monday the 13th is small, below 1.2m, but the afternoon gets glassy again. It’s surfable but ordinary. Tuesday and Wednesday are similar – tiny and clean, but weak.
Thursday the 16th brings a new SW swell back up to 2.5m with a 14-second period (energy 2685). The morning has a light offshore from the west, but it goes cross-shore in the arvo. Promising, but not perfect.
Friday the 17th gets smashed by WSW winds at 20 km/h – choppy and messy.
Sunday the 19th of July is a gem. Glassy conditions, light offshore from the west, and a 1.1m to 1.0m SSW groundswell with a 13-second period (energy around 837). Clean and fun all day.
Monday the 20th of July morning is for the experts. The swell hits 2.5m from the SW, 11-second period, and it’s glassy with calm winds from the SE at 5 km/h. Energy reads 2043. “Excellent for experienced surfers.” That’s a true standout, but at 2.5m, it’s expert territory only.
Tuesday the 21st offers a clean 1.8m pulse with glassy conditions again, but the period drops to 10 seconds. Still a good session.
Looking further out to Thursday the 23rd of July (long-range, so less certain), we’ve got a huge 4.0m SSW swell with a 13-second period. Combined energy is 5882 (very strong), but the data says it’s “too big for this break.” Only the boldest experts need apply. Friday the 24th drops to 3.0m with a 14-second period and cross-shore west winds – big but messy.
Saturday the 25th still has a 2.4m SW swell, but the ESE wind keeps it a bit bumpy.
The real pick is Friday, July 10th afternoon for that perfect glassy groundswell. Monday, July 20th morning is the other standout for those who can handle the size. Everything else is run-of-the-mill or too big.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun afternoon, min 12°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed afternoon, min 14°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | |||||||||||||||
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 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | ESE 8 | SSW 10 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | E 9 | SW 11 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 3123 | 2773 | 2195 | 2032 | 1659 | 1365 | 631 | 452 | 288 | 312 | 183 | 153 | 131 | 147 | 197 | 154 | 177 | 2614 | 2587 | 1862 | 1173 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | off | cross | glassy | cross-off | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:05PM1.25m | 00:31AM1.50m | 1:19PM1.36m | 1:38AM1.60m | 2:17PM1.51m | 2:34AM1.69m | 3:08PM1.65m | 3:23AM1.77m | 3:53PM1.76m | 4:08AM1.79m | 4:37PM1.83m | 4:50AM1.77m | 5:18PM1.85m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:00PM0.52m | 7:05AM0.37m | 7:18PM0.42m | 8:06AM0.25m | 8:21PM0.30m | 8:57AM0.13m | 9:15PM0.19m | 9:43AM0.05m | 10:03PM0.12m | 10:24AM0.00m | 10:48PM0.10m | 11:03AM0.00m | 11:31PM0.12m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | | | | |  | | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — |
 | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:36 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 15 | 21 | 22 | 16 |
Feels °C | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 18 | 19 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 3123 | 2773 | 2195 | 2032 | 1659 | 1365 | 631 | 452 | 288 | 169 | 183 | 153 | 131 | 147 | 197 | 154 | 125 | 2614 | 2587 | 1862 | 1173 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 14 | — | — | W 12 | W 12 | SW 18 | SSE 7 | SSW 16 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSE 9 | S 9 | S 8 | SW 5 | SW 11 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
| kJ | 8 | — | — | 3 | 3 | 12 | 168 | 25 | 281 | 312 | 160 | 122 | 84 | 56 | 35 | 15 | 177 | 81 | 98 | 106 | 104 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 13 | W 12 | W 11 | S 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSW 9 | SW 9 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 6 | SE 10 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 17 | 3 | 3 | 49 | 11 | 86 | 96 | 78 | 41 | 54 | 52 | 25 | 4 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | E 3 | ESE 4 | — | — | SE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 4 | SW 5 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 6 | 24 | — | — | 222 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 27 | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 26 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Garden Route | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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