The Heads Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.07° S 23.06° E

The Heads Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 27 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Heads sea temperature is
15.7°C
1.5° 

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 27 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 2 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with cross-onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with 13,992 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 12s 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 Friday (Aug 28) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 1.4m and 9s. 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 5.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Fri 28th Aug)5ft (1.6m) 12s
Best Surf 2PM (Wed 2nd Sep)16ft (5.0m) 17s
Most Powerful 2PM (Wed 2nd Sep)16ft (5.0m) 17s

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


Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 22°C on Thu night, min 13°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue afternoon, min 11°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
3
3
0
1
2
1
3
3
1
1
2
3
2
4
0
!
!
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
S
12
1.3
S
11
1.2
S
11
1.2
S
11
1
S
11
0.7
SW
13
0.8
SW
14
1.3
SW
13
2
SW
12
1.8
SW
12
1.6
SW
11
1.6
SW
11
1.6
SW
11
2.2
SW
12
2.2
SW
13
2.2
SW
13
4.5
SSW
19
4.5
SW
17
3.5
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
699
403
338
351
251
175
261
527
1107
855
663
663
574
1280
1583
1497
12380
12600
5084
Wind (km/h)
10
WNW
10
WSW
5
SW
5
SE
15
WSW
10
W
5
WSW
10
SW
5
SW
5
WSW
15
W
15
WSW
5
NNW
0
W
10
SSW
15
WNW
25
WSW
15
SW
10
ESE
Wind State
cross-off
cross-on
glassy
glassy
cross-on
cross
glassy
cross-on
glassy
glassy
cross
cross-on
off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
3:40AM1.72m
3:59PM1.84m
4:08AM1.76m
4:26PM1.89m
4:37AM1.76m
4:54PM1.90m
5:06AM1.72m
5:24PM1.85m
5:38AM1.64m
5:57PM1.76m
6:13AM1.53m
6:34PM1.62m
Low Tide
9:39PM0.16m
9:46AM0.05m
10:07PM0.09m
10:13AM0.01m
10:35PM0.06m
10:40AM0.01m
11:05PM0.06m
11:09AM0.05m
11:36PM0.12m
11:40AM0.14m
00:11AM0.21m
12:14PM0.26m
00:51AM0.35m
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:52
6:50
6:48
6:48
6:47
6:45
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:05
6:06
6:07
6:07
6:07
6:08
6:08
 mm
3
3
2
2
1
4
Temp °C
22
21
22
19
17
17
16
13
13
12
14
15
13
17
18
14
14
13
13
Feels °C
22
20
21
19
15
14
15
11
12
11
10
11
11
16
16
11
10
9
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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