Surf Forecasts:
The Heads surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 11s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 2,557 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 16s. 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 2.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty, and here’s how the surf’s shaping up for The Heads over the next couple of weeks.
Alright, so the story here is that we’ve got a lot of pulse, but it’s going to be a bit of a mixed bag in terms of quality. Right off the bat, the first couple of days are pretty average. Saturday the 22nd is a write-off with a messy cross-on wind and 5 feet of gutless SW swell. Sunday the 23rd is still not really worth paddling out for – the swell bumps up to about 7 feet but it’s cross-on and the vibe is marginal. The energy is picking up but that wind is just ruining it.
Monday the 24th morning is where it starts to turn. We get a glassy window, and the swell holds at about 5 feet from the SW with a 12-second period. That’s the first proper chance to get a few clean ones, even if it’s not pumping. The energy is moderate, but glassy conditions are golden.
Then things start to build. Tuesday the 25th morning sees the swell jump to about 8 feet from the SW with a 14-second period, and the wind is straight offshore from the south. That’s a standout session right there – clean, solid, long-period groundswell. The energy is strong. This is for the more experienced crew; it’s a fair size with decent power. The Heads is a sandbar, so with that long period it might not be the most perfect shape, but offshore wind can do wonders.
Wednesday the 26th gets blown out with strong cross-shore wind, so give it a miss. Thursday the 27th is another beauty, especially the morning. Glassy conditions, about 6 feet of swell from the SSW, 12-second period – that’s clean and fun. The energy is strong, and the conditions are excellent for experienced surfers.
After that, the wind gets messy again through the weekend of the 29th and 30th. Saturday the 29th has a fresh offshore wind, but the swell is tiny at about 3 feet. Then Sunday the 30th sees a massive jump in size to about 13 feet from the SW – that’s too big for this spot, so it’s a miss.
Looking into the second week, Monday the 1st of September morning is another standout. Glassy conditions again, about 8 feet SW swell with a 13-second period – excellent for experienced surfers. Energy is very strong. Wednesday the 2nd of September morning also looks clean with a cross-offshore breeze and about 7 feet SW swell – that’s a solid, clean option.
But honestly, the real highlight is Tuesday the 25th of August morning. That combo of 8 feet SW swell, long period, and clean offshore wind is the best on offer. For a later call, Monday the 1st of September morning is also a cracker.
As for the water temperature at The Heads, it’s sitting at 58°F – that’s about 5°F colder than normal for this time of year, so yeah, it’s a fair bit cooler than average. Suit up.
There’s decent energy on the horizon but a lot of it is too big or blown out. The two morning windows on the 25th of August and the 1st of September are the ones to circle.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the E on Wed afternoon, calm by Thu afternoon). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | ESE 9 | E 10 | E 10 | S 11 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
594 | 1208 | 1034 | 1352 | 1019 | 699 | 606 | 1977 | 2557 | 1594 | 1168 | 742 | 919 | 970 | 872 | 573 | 807 | 573 | 450 | 345 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross | off |
High Tide | 00:51AM1.16m | 1:37PM1.19m | 1:41AM1.29m | 2:11PM1.34m | 2:15AM1.43m | 2:39PM1.49m | 2:44AM1.55m | 3:06PM1.63m | 3:12AM1.65m | 3:32PM1.75m | 3:40AM1.72m | 3:59PM1.84m | 4:08AM1.76m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:39PM0.79m | 7:27AM0.63m | 7:40PM0.65m | 8:02AM0.49m | 8:15PM0.51m | 8:30AM0.35m | 8:44PM0.38m | 8:56AM0.23m | 9:11PM0.26m | 9:21AM0.12m | 9:39PM0.16m | 9:46AM0.05m | 10:07PM0.09m | |||||||
— | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | |
6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 18 | 20 | 15 | 23 | 25 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 31 |
Feels °C | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 11 | 23 | 24 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | E 10 | S 11 | S 11 |
594 | 1208 | 1034 | 1352 | 1019 | 699 | 606 | 1977 | 2557 | 1594 | 1168 | 742 | 919 | 970 | 541 | 510 | 807 | 573 | 335 | 345 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | SW 16 | SW 15 | — | — | SE 11 | SSW 14 | SE 11 | — | SSW 16 | SW 13 | SW 13 | S 16 | S 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SW 16 | ESE 8 |
1 | 11 | 209 | — | — | 5 | 236 | 5 | — | 706 | 919 | 486 | 627 | 248 | 872 | 573 | 426 | 411 | 257 | 147 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 8 | E 8 | — | — | — | SE 10 | — | — | — | E 13 | S 16 | WSW 13 | SSW 16 | WSW 12 | SSE 12 | SW 11 | S 14 | SSE 14 | SW 14 |
— | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | 3 | 509 | 67 | 324 | 96 | 189 | 179 | 100 | 118 | 251 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | — | — | — | — | E 10 | NNW 4 |
176 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 167 | 606 | 487 | — | — | — | — | 450 | 16 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 28 | 0 | 7 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 29 | 8 | 0 | 26 | 390 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 26 | 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.











