Surf Forecasts:
The Heads surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 13 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 17s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 18s period, SSW swell with 2,519 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 22s 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 Wednesday (Aug 12) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 22s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 2.2m and 8s is also forecast. 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 2.0m 18s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 22s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s talk about The Heads. This is a sandbar, fairly exposed, and we’re in for a slow start. No surf worth mentioning on Tuesday or Wednesday – cross-shore winds and messy energy (2013 to 3671 combined energy). Water temp is about 62°F, nearly a degree and a half cooler than average, so it’s a bit chilly.
Thursday the 13th of August starts to show life. Afternoon brings a clean 6ft SSW groundswell, 17-second period – that’s long-period energy. Wind is cross-off from the ENE at 9 mph, so the surface is clean. Combined energy sits at 2813, moderate. This one’s for experienced surfers. Friday the 14th has a beautiful morning: offshore wind from the NNE at 6 mph, swell 5ft from the SW, 16-second period. Clean and lined up. Energy is 1438. Afternoon fades but stays clean.
Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th are poor – onshore and cross-shore winds kill it. Monday the 17th is average with cross-onshore. Tuesday the 18th picks up to 7ft SW in the morning, but it’s bumpy; afternoon hits 10ft SW, cross-onshore and too big for most. Wednesday the 19th stays lumpy with light rain.
Now, Thursday the 20th of August is a real standout. Glassy conditions in the morning – dead calm, SE at 3 mph – with a 5ft SW swell, 10-second period. Combined energy is low at 698, but it’s clean and fun. Friday the 21st also starts glassy with a NNE breeze at 3 mph, 5ft SW swell, 11-second period. Clean again, but watch for afternoon onshore wind.
Saturday the 22nd brings a big pulse: 10ft SW in the morning with cross-shore, then 12ft SSW in the afternoon – that’s too big for this break, experts only (combined energy 4313). Sunday the 23rd of August dawns clean with an 8ft SSW swell, cross-off wind from the NE at 3 mph. Excellent but for experienced surfers only. The following week offers glassy starts on the 24th and 26th with 5ft to 7ft SW swells – clean morning sessions.
Best bets? Thursday the 20th of August and Friday the 21st of August – both mornings are glassy, clean, and uncrowded (crowds are only sometimes). The heads can get a few people, but those glass-offs are magic.
If you’ve got the skills, the 23rd gives you a clean 8ft wave.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Tue morning). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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 12 | SSW 23 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 19 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1458 | 802 | 744 | 1748 | 1877 | 1796 | 1694 | 2238 | 1225 | 954 | 777 | 598 | 465 | 458 | 376 | 215 | 407 | 810 | 1067 | 947 | 700 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:01PM1.71m | 3:16AM1.75m | 3:41PM1.84m | 3:55AM1.80m | 4:18PM1.92m | 4:31AM1.80m | 4:52PM1.93m | 5:05AM1.75m | 5:26PM1.88m | 5:37AM1.66m | 5:57PM1.78m | 6:08AM1.54m | 6:27PM1.64m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:51AM0.13m | 9:12PM0.15m | 9:30AM0.03m | 9:53PM0.06m | 10:05AM-0.03m | 10:31PM0.03m | 10:39AM-0.04m | 11:06PM0.05m | 11:10AM0.01m | 11:38PM0.12m | 11:40AM0.10m | 00:10AM0.22m | 12:09PM0.23m | 00:40AM0.35m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — |
 | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 19 | 15 | 21 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 28 | 23 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 18 | 19 | 15 |
Feels °C | 10 | 11 | 8 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 17 | 22 | 19 | 22 | 25 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | ESE 9 | SSW 19 | SW 17 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SW 14 | E 9 | SW 13 | SW 13 | E 11 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 1458 | 802 | 379 | 1748 | 1877 | 1181 | 1694 | 2238 | 660 | 484 | 311 | 598 | 220 | 458 | 376 | 188 | 407 | 810 | 1067 | 947 | 700 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 26 | SSW 23 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 17 | SW 16 | S 11 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | E 8 | SW 14 | E 8 | E 9 | WSW 13 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 |
| kJ | — | 65 | 744 | 211 | 151 | 1796 | 886 | 2 | 1225 | 954 | 777 | 177 | 465 | 173 | 99 | 215 | 151 | 181 | 185 | 188 | 141 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 10 | S 9 | S 11 | SW 10 | S 10 | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 6 | SW 5 | ESE 5 | SW 16 | SW 7 | — | — | E 4 | — |
| kJ | — | — | 17 | 42 | 35 | 38 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | 24 | 7 | 26 | 198 | 13 | — | — | 2 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | — | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | — | — | WSW 4 | — | SE 3 | — | WSW 4 | SW 4 | — | — | — | SW 5 |
| kJ | 555 | 780 | 727 | 549 | 1608 | — | 790 | 573 | 1007 | — | — | 10 | — | 2 | — | 17 | 15 | — | — | — | 23 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 26 | 390 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 8 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 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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