The Heads Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.07° S 23.06° E

The Heads Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 09 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Heads sea temperature is
16.4° C
0.8° 

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 9 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 11 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 11 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, S swell with 3,951 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 11 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period with S 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 Tuesday (Aug 11) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 11s. 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 3.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Tue 11th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 14s
Best Surf 2AM (Tue 11th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 14s
Most Powerful 2AM (Tue 11th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 14s

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


Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 28mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue morning, min 10°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Fri afternoon, min 14°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sun
9
Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
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
1
2
5
2
1
3
4
2
4
5
3
4
4
3
3
3
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)
3.5
SSW
12
3
SW
12
2.5
SW
11
3
SSW
10
3
S
14
3
S
13
1.7
SSW
12
0.9
SSW
23
1.5
SSW
20
1.7
SSW
18
1.9
SSW
17
1.4
SSW
19
2.1
SW
18
1.8
SW
16
1.4
SW
16
1.3
SW
15
1.2
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
1.1
SW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
3131
2075
1456
1751
3951
2688
802
744
1748
1877
2089
1513
2630
1672
979
753
598
471
465
400
Wind (km/h)
30
S
10
SW
20
S
15
SE
10
E
15
E
25
E
15
ENE
10
ENE
20
E
15
NE
15
NE
15
ENE
15
NE
25
N
10
NE
15
N
10
NNE
10
NNE
15
N
Wind State
on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
High Tide
1:42AM1.52m
2:17PM1.54m
2:33AM1.66m
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
Low Tide
7:29PM0.46m
8:06AM0.28m
8:26PM0.29m
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
heavy rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:11
7:11
7:09
7:09
7:07
7:07
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:52
5:52
5:53
5:54
5:55
5:55
5:57
 mm
11
9
4
2
2
Temp °C
13
13
13
13
12
15
15
13
15
19
16
21
24
20
23
27
23
25
29
25
Feels °C
7
7
9
9
9
11
10
9
12
15
12
17
20
16
18
23
19
22
26
21
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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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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