
Surf Forecasts:
The Heads surf forecast from 4 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 7 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 15s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with 5,509 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 5 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 8s 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 Saturday (Sep 05) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 10s 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 3.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, let’s have a look at what’s coming our way.
The Heads (The Heads, sandbar) is the only spot on the cards, and there’s a tough start. The first few days are messy with a moderate cross-shore wind and only marginal surf. The swell is there, but the quality is just not making it worth paddling out. Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th are poor, with a building but messy SSW swell hitting around 8 ft to 10 ft on Sunday, but that east wind is strong and cross, ruining any chance of a clean face. Combined swell energy is chunky, hitting 4935 on Sunday morning, but it’s a lumpy mess.
Monday the 7th offers the first real glimpse of hope. The early morning has a 7 ft SSW groundswell with a long 14-second period, and the wind drops right off to just a slight air, almost glassy. That’s a big positive – clean conditions at last. The combined energy is still strong at 2926, so there will be power, and the shape should be good thanks to that long period, but this is a sandbar break, so watch for the swell lining up a bit straight at times.
The standout window is the morning of Friday the 11th. Swell drops a touch to 6 ft from the SW, period at 13 seconds, and we get a clean, cross-off breeze from the ENE at only 6 mph. The surface will be smooth, the waves will have some push, and the combined energy sits at a solid 1207. This is the best of the run – a proper session on offer. Crowds are sometimes a thing, but for that kind of glassy morning, it’ll be worth sharing the bank.
After that, the swell cranks up significantly. Saturday the 12th sees a 12 ft SSE windswell (8-second period) with a combined energy of 1789, and by Sunday the 13th we’re looking at a massive 15 ft to 12 ft swell, energy jumping to 8850. This is way too big for this break – it’s expert territory only, and even then, the wind is cross, making it a challenging, messy beast. The setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing during those days.
Things settle down again towards the middle of the second week. The morning of Tuesday the 15th is a real gem: glassy conditions, light offshore wind, and a 4 ft SW groundswell with a 13-second period. The combined energy is only 980, but the surface will be like a mirror. That’s a sneaky good morning for a longboard or a funboard.
The final weekend sweeps in with another pulse of big ESE swell on the 19th, hitting 18 ft in the morning. Energy is massive at 7776, but again, it’s well beyond the comfort zone for most, and the wind is up. That stretch is one for watching, not paddling.
Overall, Friday the 11th morning is the pick for a clean, punchy session. Keep an eye on Tuesday the 15th morning for glassy, smaller waves if you want it easy. The long-range stuff is promising but less certain, as always.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Tue afternoon, min 17°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 8 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 22 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
493 | 467 | 370 | 893 | 4455 | 5509 | 2787 | 1797 | 1261 | 600 | 449 | 354 | 221 | 198 | 335 | 220 | 1123 | 1697 | 1463 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:36PM1.27m | 9:53AM1.10m | 10:59PM1.21m | 12:15PM1.21m | 00:43AM1.33m | 1:22PM1.41m | 1:40AM1.49m | 2:07PM1.61m | 2:23AM1.63m | 2:45PM1.78m | 3:00AM1.73m | 3:19PM1.90m | 3:34AM1.79m | ||||||
Low Tide | 3:22AM0.65m | 4:09PM0.71m | 5:49AM0.61m | 6:29PM0.60m | 7:09AM0.45m | 7:36PM0.42m | 7:57AM0.28m | 8:22PM0.24m | 8:34AM0.13m | 9:00PM0.11m | 9:08AM0.03m | 9:34PM0.02m | |||||||
— | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | |
6:10 | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 21 | 24 | 21 | 26 | 27 | 21 | 24 | 22 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 17 |
Feels °C | 10 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 20 | 23 | 21 | 26 | 26 | 20 | 23 | 21 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 8 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 |
82 | 467 | 370 | 346 | 4455 | 5509 | 2787 | 1797 | 1261 | 600 | 449 | 354 | 221 | 148 | 335 | 220 | 1123 | 1697 | 1463 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 10 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | SSW 22 | SSW 10 | — | — | ESE 8 | SSE 12 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 14 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | SE 12 | E 11 |
85 | 23 | 43 | 893 | 164 | — | — | 406 | 85 | 437 | 218 | 272 | 145 | 198 | 154 | 98 | 81 | 21 | 35 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | — | S 13 | WSW 10 | S 12 | — | — | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSW 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SW 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | S 4 | — | SSE 11 |
89 | — | 14 | 38 | 25 | — | — | 35 | 85 | 240 | 117 | 102 | 48 | 96 | 54 | 17 | 9 | — | 12 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | E 6 | E 7 | E 8 | ESE 8 | — | — | — | E 4 | — | W 4 | WSW 4 | — | ESE 10 | ESE 6 |
493 | 208 | 206 | 271 | 291 | 356 | 439 | 688 | 460 | — | — | — | 17 | — | 12 | 11 | — | 189 | 115 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 26 | 426 | 26 | 26 | 387 | 26 | 8 | 26 | 0 | 26 | 8 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 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.










