The Heads Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.07° S 23.06° E

The Heads Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 23 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Heads sea temperature is
17.5° 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 23 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, SSW swell with 8,161 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 24 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period with SSW 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 Friday (Jul 24) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 4.0m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m 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 4.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 5AM. 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+) 5AM (Fri 24th Jul)13ft (4.0m) 16s
Best Surf 5AM (Fri 24th Jul)13ft (4.0m) 16s
Most Powerful 5AM (Fri 24th Jul)13ft (4.0m) 16s

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


Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Thu night. Warm (max 21°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 24°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light.

Thu
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
4
!
4
4
4
3
4
4
3
2
2
3
0
1
0
3
2
2
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
SW
11
2.3
SSW
17
4
SSW
16
3
SSW
15
2.5
SW
14
2.3
SW
13
2.4
SW
13
2.4
SW
12
2
SW
12
1.8
SW
12
1.9
SW
13
2.2
SW
12
2.4
SSW
14
3.5
SSW
16
2.5
SW
15
2.5
SSW
14
2.2
SSW
14
2
SSW
14
1.8
SSW
13
2.5
E
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2301
3099
6656
4217
2633
1838
1975
1626
1094
826
1167
1369
2346
6148
2736
2480
1969
1453
1151
796
Wind (km/h)
20
W
10
WSW
5
NE
10
ESE
5
NNW
5
ESE
10
E
5
NNE
5
NNE
5
ESE
15
W
15
WSW
10
W
20
SE
20
SE
20
SE
15
E
20
E
20
E
10
NE
Wind State
cross
cross
glassy
cross
off
glassy
cross
cross-off
glassy
glassy
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
High Tide
11:34PM1.19m
12:41PM1.10m
00:56AM1.24m
1:43PM1.21m
1:50AM1.33m
2:24PM1.32m
2:30AM1.44m
2:59PM1.44m
3:04AM1.53m
3:30PM1.55m
3:35AM1.61m
3:59PM1.64m
4:04AM1.66m
Low Tide
4:43PM0.75m
6:22AM0.67m
6:36PM0.72m
7:32AM0.58m
7:43PM0.63m
8:16AM0.47m
8:26PM0.52m
8:50AM0.36m
9:01PM0.42m
9:20AM0.26m
9:32PM0.33m
9:48AM0.18m
10:03PM0.26m
light rain
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
light rain
part cloud
heavy rain
light rain
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:26
7:26
7:24
7:24
7:24
7:22
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:40
5:42
5:42
5:43
5:44
5:44
5:45
 mm
2
9
1
11
5
2
4
1
Temp °C
15
14
15
17
14
16
18
15
21
24
18
15
16
14
14
15
14
15
16
14
Feels °C
10
9
14
15
13
14
15
13
18
22
16
13
14
12
10
10
9
10
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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