The Heads Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.07° S 23.06° E

The Heads Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 03 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Heads sea temperature is
17.1° C
0.1° 

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 3 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 6 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 10 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 20ft (6.0m), 12s period, S swell with 10,543 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 3 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 11s period with ESE 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 Monday (Aug 03) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 12s. 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 6.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 10) 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 0.4m 3s period and expected on Monday (Aug 03) at 8PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Mon 3rd Aug)5ft (1.6m) 11s
Best Surf 8AM (Thu 6th Aug)11ft (3.5m) 14s
Most Powerful 8AM (Mon 10th Aug)20ft (6.0m) 12s

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


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Mon afternoon, min 14°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 10°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Mon
3
Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
3
2
2
2
4
4
2
3
4
3
2
4
4
4
4
3
1
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
ESE
11
1.6
ESE
11
1.2
SW
12
1.2
SW
11
1.1
ESE
10
1.3
SSW
15
2
SW
16
2.3
SW
14
3
SW
13
3
SW
13
2.3
SW
12
2.5
SW
15
3
SW
14
2.5
SW
14
2.4
SW
14
2.2
SW
13
2.4
SW
13
2.5
SW
13
2.3
SW
12
2.5
SW
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
634
541
383
350
245
791
1909
2263
3514
2658
1500
2913
3372
3009
2220
1682
2002
2147
1500
1718
Wind (km/h)
10
E
10
N
10
NW
10
W
5
E
5
WSW
5
S
5
NNE
15
SW
10
SSW
0
WSW
15
WSW
10
SE
10
NE
5
WNW
5
S
5
NNW
10
W
20
WSW
5
ESE
Wind State
cross
off
cross-off
cross
glassy
cross
glassy
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
glassy
glassy
cross
cross-on
cross
High Tide
6:27PM1.70m
6:39AM1.49m
7:04PM1.62m
7:21AM1.37m
7:51PM1.50m
8:19AM1.23m
9:00PM1.37m
9:56AM1.14m
10:48PM1.31m
12:01PM1.18m
00:33AM1.38m
1:23PM1.34m
1:42AM1.52m
Low Tide
00:40AM0.29m
12:42PM0.27m
1:23AM0.37m
1:24PM0.39m
2:18AM0.48m
2:22PM0.53m
3:41AM0.58m
3:58PM0.63m
5:38AM0.57m
6:03PM0.60m
7:09AM0.44m
7:29PM0.46m
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:18
7:16
7:16
7:15
7:13
7:13
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:49
5:49
5:50
5:51
5:51
5:52
5:52
 mm
3
1
1
21
Temp °C
26
22
26
23
19
22
22
15
17
16
15
14
14
13
15
17
12
15
15
13
Feels °C
23
18
22
21
18
21
20
15
15
14
14
13
11
12
13
14
11
13
11
10
  • 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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