The Heads surfForecast / Garden Route / South Africa

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 1 am Sunday 07 Dec 2025 SAST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
The Heads surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's The Heads sea temperature is
19.9° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for The Heads this week:

The surf forecast for The Heads over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Dec 07) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 4s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at The Heads in the next 12 days are 3.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Dec 14) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Dec 09) at 8AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Sun 7th Dec)7ft (2.1m) 12s
Best Surf 5AM (Sun 14th Dec)7.5ft (2.3m) 10s
Most Powerful 2AM (Sun 14th Dec)10ft (3.0m) 13s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Heads over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 23°C on Sun morning, min 17°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Thu morning, min 17°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ESE on Wed afternoon, calm by Fri night).

Sunday
07
Monday
08
Tuesday
09
Wednesday
10
Thursday
11
Friday
12
Saturday
13
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
3
1
1
3
0
1
1
1
0
3
0
0
2
0
2
3
1
0
4
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2.1
SW
2.2
SW
1.9
SW
1.7
SW
1.8
SW
1.9
SW
2.1
SW
2.3
SW
2.3
SSW
1.9
SW
1.7
SW
1.5
SSW
1.4
SSW
1.3
SSW
1.8
ESE
1.3
E
0.9
SW
1.6
SW
1.8
SW
1.6
SW
3
SW
Period(s) (?)12121212121211111111111010109101816141413
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)13151366102579286510071132123413048216524753863025283264491194127310183135
Wind
(km/h)
15
SE
20
ESE
5
SSW
15
S
10
SSW
10
NW
15
SW
10
S
15
ESE
20
ESE
30
ESE
15
ENE
10
SE
15
ESE
15
W
15
SW
10
SE
10
W
25
WSW
30
WSW
15
W
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
cross-
on
glassononcross-
off
cross-
on
oncross-
on
crosscrosscross-
off
cross-
on
crosscrosscross-
on
cross-
on
crosscrosscross-
on
cross
High Tide
/ height (m)
5:15PM
1.70
5:47AM
1.66
6:00PM
1.56
6:35AM
1.57
6:47PM
1.41
7:28AM
1.48
7:41PM
1.27
8:28AM
1.39
8:47PM
1.16
9:39AM
1.33
10:12PM
1.10
10:53AM
1.32
11:37PM
1.12
Low Tide
/ height (m)
11:08AM
0.18
11:31PM
0.13
11:57AM
0.29
12:15AM
0.23
12:48PM
0.41
1:01AM
0.35
1:46PM
0.52
1:52AM
0.47
2:55PM
0.61
2:53AM
0.57
4:17PM
0.64
4:08AM
0.63
5:36PM
0.62
Sunday
07
Monday
08
Tuesday
09
Wednesday
10
Thursday
11
Friday
12
Saturday
13
Sunrise5:09--5:09--5:09--5:09--5:09--5:09--5:09--
Sunset-7:29--7:29--7:30--7:30--7:31--7:31--7:32-
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
Rain (mm)
--------4---------1--
Temp. °C232318222219232219202118272623232321181918
Feels °C (?)212118212120212118171714262424222223151412
  • 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 12 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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