
Surf Forecasts:
The Heads surf forecast from 6 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 8 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 13s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 9 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, SW swell with 3,486 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 6 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 11s 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 Monday (Jul 06) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at The Heads in the next 16 days are 2.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 09) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 12s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 11) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Mon 6th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Wed 8th Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Thu 9th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Heads over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
G’day, it’s Rusty. We’ve got a solid run of surf ahead at The Heads over the next couple of weeks, kicking off with some real beauties early on, but there’s a couple of lumpy days to work around.
Alright, let’s start with Monday the 6th of July. It’s a bit of a slow starter – the morning is glassy with a 6ft SW swell and a period of 12 seconds, but the combined swell energy is pumping at 1113 (moderate). That’s clean and inviting, perfect for an intermediate surfer to get amongst it. The water temp is 62° and that’s about average for the time of year, so nothing wild there. The afternoon gets a bit messy with a cross breeze, so hit it early.
Tuesday the 7th is where it gets good. Morning glass off from the WNW, a 6ft SW swell, same 12-second period, and the energy’s up at 1133. That’s clean, smooth, and the kind of day you call in sick for. The afternoon holds glassy conditions too, with a slight shift to a SSE breeze, still clean as a whistle. This is the standout of the first week.
Wednesday the 8th sees the swell bump up to 7ft, but the wind goes cross-shore and the period edges to 13 seconds. Energy jumps to 1859 in the morning and 2312 in the afternoon. It’s a bit juiced up and choppy now – more for the experienced crew, not a beginner’s day. Thursday and Friday the 9th and 10th push into 10ft SSW swells, periods of 13-14 seconds, and energy readings over 3000 (strong). That’s solid, but the wind stays cross or cross-on, making it a bit rough. This is expert territory, and honestly, the quality’s marginal for a paddle – might be more fun for the kite crew.
Then we hit the weekend. Saturday the 11th of July is a gem. Morning glass with zero wind, a 7ft SSW swell at 12 seconds, energy at 1761. That’s excellent for experienced surfers – clean, powerful, and uncrowded if you’re lucky. The afternoon stays glassy with a 6ft swell. Sunday the 12th settles a bit, with 5ft and 5ft swells, glassy conditions, and energy dropping to 750-803. Still very good, and easy paddling.
Monday the 13th and Tuesday the 14th keep the vibes going: 5ft to 5ft swells, glassy mornings, and low energy around 700-774. That’s fun, cruisy surf for intermediates. Wednesday the 15th turns nasty – the swell drops to 3ft, wind howls at 16 mph from the WSW, and the energy tanks to 335 (weak). That’s a write-off day.
Thursday the 16th sees a fresh 4ft SW swell with a 12-second period, glassy morning, energy at 514 – a light day but clean. Friday the 17th gets fresh wind again, 9-12 mph, and the surf gets choppy. Saturday the 18th is small and weak, with onshore wind – skip it.
Now, for the real late-blooming standout: Sunday the 19th of July. The morning pumps with a 8ft SW swell at 12 seconds, cross-off wind, energy at 1695. That’s excellent for experts – clean, heavy, and powerful. The afternoon goes glassy with a 8ft swell. This is the pick of the second week, though it’s a bit far out, so keep an eye on it.
Monday the 20th drops off with 6ft but cross-shore wind, and then Tuesday the 21st closes the window with another beauty: 8ft SW swell, 12 seconds, glassy morning, energy at 1761, and another perfect glassy afternoon. That’s a hell of a way to finish the outlook.
So, best on offer: Tuesday the 7th of July for the clean, fun swell, and Sunday the 19th of July for the bigger, expert-level juice. Don’t sleep on Tuesday the 21st either.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat morning, min 11°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mon 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 11 | ESE 8 | SE 9 | ESE 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
650 | 819 | 1065 | 970 | 1498 | 1569 | 1357 | 3486 | 3052 | 2678 | 3451 | 3365 | 2747 | 2269 | 1269 | 904 | 699 | 694 | 549 | 1104 | 871 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross | glassy | off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | glassy | cross |
High Tide | 7:43PM1.53m | 7:59AM1.31m | 8:36PM1.48m | 9:05AM1.23m | 9:46PM1.44m | 10:33AM1.20m | 11:10PM1.43m | 12:05PM1.25m | 00:31AM1.50m | 1:19PM1.36m | 1:38AM1.60m | 2:17PM1.51m | 2:34AM1.69m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:03AM0.46m | 2:05PM0.42m | 3:05AM0.50m | 3:08PM0.50m | 4:23AM0.51m | 4:29PM0.55m | 5:49AM0.47m | 6:00PM0.52m | 7:05AM0.37m | 7:18PM0.42m | 8:06AM0.25m | 8:21PM0.30m | 8:57AM0.13m | ||||||||
— | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | |
5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | 5:35 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | — | 1 | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 19 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 |
Feels °C | 17 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SE 8 | S 11 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 10 |
650 | 819 | 1065 | 970 | 1498 | 1569 | 1357 | 3486 | 3052 | 2678 | 3451 | 3365 | 2747 | 2269 | 1269 | 904 | 699 | 694 | 474 | 1104 | 871 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | ESE 9 | SE 17 | E 10 | SE 15 | SE 14 | SE 13 | — | SE 7 | W 12 | SSW 12 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 |
180 | 123 | 68 | 58 | 38 | 283 | 601 | 8 | 11 | 2 | 9 | 7 | 7 | — | 331 | 11 | 658 | 370 | 338 | 220 | 198 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | ESE 10 | — | S 22 | SSW 20 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | — | SE 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 13 | SW 16 | SSW 11 | S 9 | S 9 |
1 | 123 | — | 9 | 127 | 31 | 18 | 2 | — | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 10 | 242 | 43 | 15 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 3 | — | — | W 3 | SW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 6 | SE 7 | SE 7 | — | — | ESE 8 | — | — |
— | — | 6 | — | — | 8 | 204 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 209 | 514 | 516 | — | — | 549 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 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.











