The Heads Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.07° S 23.06° E

The Heads Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 06 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Heads sea temperature is
16.8° C
0.3° 

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 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 8 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 8 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 5,278 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 6 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 13s 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 Thursday (Aug 06) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m 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 14s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 08) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Thu 6th Aug)8ft (2.5m) 13s
Best Surf11PM (Sat 8th Aug)11ft (3.5m) 14s
Most Powerful11PM (Sat 8th Aug)11ft (3.5m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the line for The Heads.

We’ve got a solid run of groundswell setting in, but the conditions are going to be a bit of a mixed bag, so you’ll need to pick your moments. The water temp is sitting at 62°, which is pretty much bang on normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The first real standout is Friday morning, the 7th of August. The swell is a clean 8 ft from the SW, with a nice long 14-second period pushing a ton of energy (2602). The wind is a clean offshore from the ENE, and the conditions are described as clean. This is a proper session for experienced surfers. The Heads handles a SW swell well, and with that offshore flow, it’s going to be lined up and punchy. The combined energy is strong (2602), so you’ll feel the power.

We’ve got another cracker on Tuesday morning, the 11th of August. Swell is 7 ft from the SSW, period at 12 seconds, and a clean offshore wind from the ENE. The energy is moderate (1599), but the conditions are excellent for experienced surfers. This is a top pick.

Then, hold onto your board for Wednesday morning, the 12th of August. This one’s a gem. The swell drops a touch to 6 ft, but the period stretches out to a massive 20 seconds from the SSW. That’s a proper long-period groundswell, and the energy is strong (2905). With a clean offshore wind from the ENE, this is going to be a dream for a point or reef setup, though at a beach break it might be a bit too straight. Still, for The Heads, this is a serious highlight.

Thursday morning, the 13th of August is also a beauty. 5 ft of SSW swell with a 20-second period, and the wind is glassy offshore from the N. The energy is strong (3465). Light winds and a long-period swell mean clean, powerful lines.

After that, Friday morning, the 14th of August offers a nice 5 ft SW swell with a 15-second period and a clean offshore NNW wind. Good solid session.

There’s a bit of a lull mid-period, but the forecast picks up again towards the end. Saturday afternoon, the 15th of August is worth a mention: the swell is only 4 ft, but the wind goes glassy from the SSE, and the conditions are described as very good. A small, clean, glassy day is always a pleasure.

Sunday morning, the 16th of August is similar—4 ft from the SW with a 14-second period, and a clean offshore N wind. Nice and clean.

The last real standout in the window is Wednesday, the 19th of August. The morning has a small 3 ft SSW swell but with a massive 19-second period, and the wind is cross-off from the ENE. The energy is moderate (1204). The afternoon is even better: 5 ft from the SW, 17-second period, and clean cross-off wind. Excellent conditions for experienced surfers.

The Thursday morning, the 20th of August is a bit of a wildcard. The swell is 5 ft from the SW, period 12 seconds, but the wind is a fresh 30 km/h offshore from the NNW. That’s a strong offshore, which will hold the waves up, but it might be a bit tricky. The energy is moderate (710).

Overall, the best of the best is Wednesday morning, the 12th of August and Thursday morning, the 13th of August. That long-period groundswell with clean offshore winds is about as good as it gets for The Heads. Get on it.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 27mm), heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri afternoon, min 10°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 27mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed morning, min 10°C on Sun afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Thu
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
4
2
4
2
1
0
0
!
2
2
3
4
4
1
4
4
2
5
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
SW
13
2.5
SW
12
2.5
SW
14
2.5
SW
15
2.5
SW
14
2.5
SW
14
2.3
SW
13
3.5
SW
14
3
SW
13
3.5
SSW
12
2.3
SW
12
1.6
SW
12
1.7
SSW
10
2.5
SSW
14
2.2
SSW
12
1.7
SSW
12
0.9
SSW
23
1.7
SSW
20
1.9
SSW
18
1.8
SW
17
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2483
2113
2557
3116
3009
2256
1831
4529
3314
3474
1513
644
634
2212
1422
789
942
2274
2351
1907
Wind (km/h)
10
WSW
10
SE
15
ENE
15
E
10
NNW
20
W
15
WSW
25
SSW
20
S
20
S
10
SSW
15
SE
10
ESE
10
ENE
15
ENE
25
E
10
NE
15
ENE
15
E
15
NNE
Wind State
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross
off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
High Tide
9:00PM1.37m
9:56AM1.14m
10:48PM1.31m
12:01PM1.18m
00:33AM1.38m
1:23PM1.34m
1:42AM1.52m
2:17PM1.54m
2:33AM1.66m
3:01PM1.71m
3:16AM1.75m
3:41PM1.84m
3:55AM1.80m
Low Tide
2:22PM0.53m
3:41AM0.58m
3:58PM0.63m
5:38AM0.57m
6:03PM0.60m
7:09AM0.44m
7:29PM0.46m
8:06AM0.28m
8:26PM0.29m
8:51AM0.13m
9:12PM0.15m
9:30AM0.03m
9:53PM0.06m
light rain
light rain
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
rain showers
mod rain
heavy rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:15
7:13
7:13
7:11
7:11
7:09
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:51
5:51
5:52
5:52
5:52
5:53
5:54
 mm
1
3
13
10
16
6
2
2
1
Temp °C
13
13
16
19
16
15
16
14
11
12
12
13
13
12
14
15
13
16
20
18
Feels °C
10
12
14
16
15
12
13
12
8
7
8
10
9
9
11
10
10
13
17
14
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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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