Surf Forecasts:
The Heads surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, SSW swell with 4,794 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 12s 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 9s. 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 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Friday (Aug 21) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here checking in. The Heads is looking like a bit of a beast over the next couple weeks. Water temps are sitting at 57°, which is more than 5 degrees colder than usual for August, so you’ll want a thick suit and booties. This isn’t one for the casual paddler – it’s big and demanding.
The opening round on Wednesday 19 August brings a 8ft swell out of the SW with a 12-second period. Wave energy is moderate at 1995, but that cross-on wind from the SW at 5 mph messes up the surface. It’s a grumbly, bumpy day for intermediates. Thursday 20 August is pure power: 12ft from the SSW with a 14-second period and 4580 wave energy. That’s too big for this break – only for experts, and even then the morning wind is light but cross-on. Not clean.
The 21st and 22nd see the swell backing off a bit, to 5ft–7ft, but the wind stays crossed up or turning onshore. The energy drops, and the quality is marginal. There’s a real lull in good conditions until Wednesday 26 August. That morning, the wind goes offshore from the N at 6 mph, and we get a clean 6ft swell from the SW at 14 seconds, with 1627 energy. The surface is clean. That’s the standout of the whole 16 days for an experienced surfer. The afternoon goes dead calm – glassy – with the same 6ft SW swell. That’s a magic window.
Thursday 27 August starts glassy again, but the swell is down to 4ft from the S at 11 seconds. It’s fun, but not a stand-out. Then the big one hits on Saturday 29 August: a massive 15ft from the WSW with a 13-second period and 10350 wave energy – the biggest reading of the whole run. The wind is cross, and it’s an expert-only situation. Honestly, that’s a kite-and-hold-onto-your-hat day, not a paddle-surf session.
Late in the run, on Monday 31 August afternoon, the conditions clean up again with 6ft from the SW with a very long 15-second period and 1808 energy. The wind goes light cross-off from the WNW, and the face is clean. Good wave shape but needs a reef or point to keep from closing out. And the glassy afternoon on Tuesday 1 September with 6ft from the SW at 14 seconds and 1545 energy is another solid, clean session for the experienced crew.
Best bet: Wednesday 26 August. Offshore in the morning, glassy in the afternoon, with a solid 6ft SW groundswell that has the period to unload properly. That’s the one to circle.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue morning, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1602 | 1500 | 4794 | 3365 | 1914 | 1250 | 927 | 845 | 876 | 683 | 882 | 990 | 1417 | 986 | 650 | 636 | 2095 | 3021 | 2294 | 1680 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | on | glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:31PM1.31m | 7:49AM1.12m | 8:20PM1.16m | 9:23AM1.00m | 10:47PM1.07m | 12:37PM1.04m | 00:51AM1.16m | 1:37PM1.19m | 1:41AM1.29m | 2:11PM1.34m | 2:15AM1.43m | 2:39PM1.49m | 2:44AM1.55m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:49AM0.63m | 1:47PM0.68m | 2:58AM0.75m | 3:17PM0.82m | 6:04AM0.77m | 6:39PM0.79m | 7:27AM0.63m | 7:40PM0.65m | 8:02AM0.49m | 8:15PM0.51m | 8:30AM0.35m | 8:44PM0.38m | ||||||||
 |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — |
 | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 18 | 20 | 18 |
Feels °C | 16 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 |
| kJ | 1602 | 1500 | 4794 | 3365 | 1914 | 1250 | 927 | 845 | 876 | 683 | 882 | 990 | 1417 | 986 | 650 | 466 | 2095 | 3021 | 2294 | 1680 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | WSW 11 | ESE 6 | ESE 5 | E 6 | SSW 17 | SW 15 | SW 14 | — | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | S 22 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | — |
| kJ | 16 | 16 | 7 | 14 | 6 | 6 | 403 | 53 | 9 | 2 | 29 | 212 | 404 | — | 188 | 636 | 39 | 722 | 945 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 5 | E 8 | E 8 | E 7 | E 8 | — | — | SE 11 | E 9 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 50 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | — | — | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 4 | E 6 | W 4 | SW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 4 | ESE 6 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 31 | 89 | 39 | 103 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 27 | 155 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 7 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 343 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 7 | 26 | 0 | 8 | 26 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Garden Route | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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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