The Heads surfForecast / Garden Route / South Africa

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 1 am Saturday 21 Feb 2026 SAST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
The Heads surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's The Heads sea temperature is
22.0° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for The Heads this week:

The surf forecast for The Heads over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Feb 21) at 2PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 16s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at The Heads in the next 12 days are 4.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Feb 21) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2PM (Sat 21st Feb)11ft (3.5m) 8s
Best Surf 2PM (Sat 21st Feb)11ft (3.5m) 8s
Most Powerful 8PM (Sat 21st Feb)13ft (4.0m) 9s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Heads over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Warm (max 31°C on Sun morning, min 21°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ESE on Sat afternoon, calm by Mon night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Warm (max 24°C on Wed afternoon, min 17°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
21
Sunday
22
Monday
23
Tuesday
24
Wednesday
25
Thursday
26
Friday
27
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
!
2
1
3
3
2
2
1
2
0
2
0
1
1
0
0
3
3
2
3
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2.2
ESE
4
ESE
3
ESE
2
ESE
2.1
ESE
2
ESE
1.8
ESE
1.1
SSW
1.1
SW
1.3
SSW
1.2
SSW
1.1
SW
1.5
SW
0.8
SW
0.6
SW
1.8
SW
2.1
SW
2.3
SW
2.5
SSW
2.5
SSW
2.1
SSW
Period(s) (?)7988899121214131281211111011101111
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)4712164110351258860348834730360345835825517696716990116814781333980
Wind
(km/h)
20
ESE
30
ESE
15
E
10
SE
5
WNW
10
N
10
SW
15
WSW
10
W
15
W
20
WSW
15
WNW
15
WSW
10
SW
10
NW
15
WSW
15
SW
0
N
10
S
15
SSE
5
WNW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
crosscross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
offcross-
on
crosscrosscrosscross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
glassoncross-
on
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
6:03PM
1.64
6:23AM
1.76
6:39PM
1.51
7:02AM
1.60
7:22PM
1.34
7:53AM
1.41
8:28PM
1.16
9:23AM
1.23
10:57PM
1.08
11:56AM
1.22
1:00AM
1.23
1:23PM
1.36
1:58AM
1.43
Low Tide
/ height (m)
12:02PM
0.11
12:05AM
0.13
12:38PM
0.23
12:41AM
0.27
1:21PM
0.39
1:25AM
0.45
2:20PM
0.56
2:34AM
0.64
4:19PM
0.68
5:13AM
0.72
6:43PM
0.59
7:14AM
0.58
7:48PM
0.42
Saturday
21
Sunday
22
Monday
23
Tuesday
24
Wednesday
25
Thursday
26
Friday
27
Sunrise6:07--6:07--6:09--6:09--6:11--6:11--6:13--
Sunset-7:14--7:13--7:12--7:09--7:08--7:07--7:07-
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
light rain
cloud
cloud
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
light rain
light rain
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
----22---3-----12----
Temp. °C272522312825262421202320232421211918212118
Feels °C (?)262321333026272424212221232322191717201817
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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 12 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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