The Heads Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.07° S 23.06° E

The Heads Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 11 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Heads sea temperature is
16.8° C
0.6° 

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 11 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 17 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 13s period, SW swell with 4,747 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 11 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 12s 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 Saturday (Jul 11) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 12s period. 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 4.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 17) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore 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 TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Sat 11th Jul)7.5ft (2.3m) 12s
Best Surf 2AM (Fri 17th Jul)11ft (3.5m) 13s
Most Powerful 8AM (Fri 17th Jul)13ft (4.0m) 13s

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


Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up.

Right off the bat, the next few days are a bit of a write-off. The surf is on the small side, with a bit of cross-chop and not enough push to get the heart racing. The water temp is sitting at 62°F which is pretty average for this time of year, so nothing to complain about there.

Sunday the 12th stays small, Monday the 13th has glassy conditions but the swell is tiny and weak. Tuesday the 14th is similar — clean in the morning but barely a ripple. Wednesday the 15th offers a bit of clean 3ft from the east, but it's weak. Honestly, we’re in a bit of a lull.

Then things start to get interesting. Thursday the 16th of July sees a pulse of SSW groundswell hitting 10ft in the morning with a 14-second period. That’s proper energy (combined energy at 3209), but the wind is cross-shore, so it’s a bit messy. Still, for experienced surfers, there’s a lot of power there.

Friday the 17th is the first real standout. The Heads has a solid 12ft SSW swell, glassy on the afternoon, and the wind is dead calm. The wave energy is massive (3664). This is big, powerful, long-period groundswell — it’s going to be pumping, but it’s strictly for the experts. Over 8ft, that’s a no-go for beginners. The water is average temp, but the quality of the swell is undeniable.

The next big highlight is Sunday the 19th of July. Morning glass with 10ft of east swell, period 9 seconds. That’s a bit shorter period, but the conditions are flawless — glassy, clean, and the swell is solid. By the afternoon, it’s still clean with 8ft east swell. This is another one for the experienced crew, but if you can handle some size, it’s going to be a session to remember.

The rest of the week drops off a bit, with smaller surf and cross-onshore winds, but then Wednesday the 22nd of July brings a monster. 13ft SW swell with a 16-second period, glassy conditions. The combined energy is through the roof at 7847. This is huge, deep water groundswell — again, experts only. The break is a sandbar, so with that long period, it might be a bit straight, but when it’s glassy and that big, it’s a sight to see.

Thursday the 23rd of July is another standout for the experienced. Glassy all day, 10ft SW swell, 12-second period, and excellent conditions. The energy is still strong (2233). This is a day for the big wave crew.

Friday the 24th of July stays big with 15ft SSW swell, 16-second period, glassy in the afternoon. That’s a massive, powerful, long-period groundswell. The combined energy hits 10122. If you’re a seasoned charger, this is the one. Otherwise, stay on the beach.

Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th still have size, but the wind is a bit more cross. Sunday morning the 26th is glassy with 7ft SW swell, 12-second period, and excellent conditions for experienced surfers. A good way to finish the run.

So, to cut through it all: the best on offer is Friday the 17th of July and Sunday the 19th of July. Both have solid size, excellent conditions, and real power. If you’re experienced, those are your sessions. For the rest of us, the first week is a slow one, and the second week is for the big wave hunters.

Keep an eye on the forecasts, but for now, that’s the story.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Sat
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
2
2
1
4
3
3
!
!
!
4
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.4
SSW
12
2.2
S
12
1.6
SSW
11
1.5
SSW
11
1.4
SSW
11
1.5
ESE
8
1.2
SSW
10
1.3
ESE
8
0.9
ESE
9
1.5
ESE
9
1.3
ESE
9
1
E
9
1
SW
12
3
SW
15
3
SW
14
2.5
SW
14
3.5
SW
13
3.5
SW
12
3.5
SSW
12
3
SSW
12
1.9
SW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1659
1365
642
515
408
277
306
240
145
352
302
173
254
3470
3126
2289
3662
3455
3631
2587
990
Wind (km/h)
15
ESE
10
ENE
10
E
15
E
5
N
5
W
5
SSE
5
NW
5
WSW
5
SW
5
NW
10
WNW
5
SW
5
NE
5
W
5
WSW
15
WNW
10
WSW
5
W
15
E
15
ENE
Wind State
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
off
glassy
glassy
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
glassy
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
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
5:30AM1.70m
5:58PM1.81m
6:09AM1.60m
Low Tide
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
11:41AM0.05m
00:12AM0.20m
12:17PM0.14m
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
cloud
cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:31
7:31
7:31
7:31
7:30
7:30
7:30
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:32
5:34
5:35
5:35
5:36
5:36
5:37
5:37
 mm
2
Temp °C
17
15
17
18
15
18
18
15
18
19
14
17
18
14
18
19
16
14
14
13
14
Feels °C
14
13
15
15
14
17
16
14
17
17
12
15
15
14
16
17
13
11
14
12
11
  • Map Icons:
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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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