The Heads Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.07° S 23.06° E

The Heads Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 18 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Heads sea temperature is
14.3°C
3.2° 

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 18 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 24 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 15s period, SSW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 24 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 15s period, SSW swell with 5,627 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 18 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 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 Friday (Sep 18) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 2.5m and 7s. 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 3.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 24) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 22) at 2PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Fri 18th Sep)5.5ft (1.7m) 13s
Best Surf 2PM (Thu 24th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 15s
Most Powerful 2PM (Thu 24th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 15s

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


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sun morning, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Tue night. Warm (max 33°C on Tue afternoon, min 16°C on Wed afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
18
Saturday
19
Sunday
20
Monday
21
Tuesday
22
Wednesday
23
Thursday
24
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
2
4
2
2
4
3
3
2
1
1
3
2
2
2
4
2
1
3
!
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.8
SW
11
1.7
SW
11
1.6
SW
13
1.4
SW
12
1.3
SW
12
2
SW
15
2.3
SW
13
2
SW
13
1.6
SW
13
1.3
SW
12
1.2
SW
12
0.9
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
13
1.1
SW
12
1.1
SW
11
3
SW
9
1.8
SW
8
2.1
SSW
9
3
SSW
16
3.5
SSW
15
3
SSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
808
713
796
565
435
1672
1810
1319
772
520
403
330
222
355
331
1331
395
616
4014
4882
3446
Wind (km/h)
25
E
20
E
10
ENE
5
SSW
5
SSE
5
NNW
10
SE
15
ESE
10
E
15
ESE
20
E
10
ENE
10
N
15
N
5
W
10
WNW
10
W
15
ESE
25
E
25
ESE
15
E
Wind State
cross
cross
cross-off
on
on
glassy
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
off
off
glassy
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
High Tide
7:13PM1.15m
8:00AM1.01m
9:23PM1.02m
12:12PM1.04m
00:26AM1.10m
1:08PM1.20m
1:13AM1.25m
1:38PM1.37m
1:45AM1.40m
2:05PM1.54m
2:14AM1.53m
2:31PM1.69m
2:42AM1.65m
Low Tide
12:56PM0.68m
1:44AM0.74m
2:09PM0.83m
5:05AM0.80m
6:23PM0.81m
6:51AM0.66m
7:16PM0.65m
7:25AM0.51m
7:46PM0.50m
7:53AM0.36m
8:14PM0.34m
8:19AM0.23m
8:41PM0.20m
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
mod rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
cloud
cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:22
6:22
6:20
6:18
6:18
6:16
6:15
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:20
6:21
6:22
6:22
6:22
6:23
6:24
 mm
6
2
2
3
Temp °C
16
16
14
17
19
16
20
20
17
21
22
21
31
33
20
17
17
16
16
16
16
Feels °C
10
11
11
16
17
16
19
18
17
20
21
21
30
31
22
18
17
17
13
13
14
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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