
Surf Forecasts:
The Heads surf forecast from 12 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 12 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 12s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 16 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, SW swell with 3,330 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 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 Sunday (Jul 12) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 18s. Another secondary swell of 1.5m and 6s 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 15s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 16) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Sun 12th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sun 12th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Thu 16th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Heads over the next 16 days.
G’day, Rusty here. Looks like we’ve got a bit of a slow start, but once the swell kicks in, there’s some serious size on the way. The first few days are pretty small and messy, but hold tight—there are some absolute standouts coming up for the experienced crew.
The Heads (sandbar) is the main break in the mix. Water temp is sitting at 62°, which is about 1° cooler than average for this time of year—nothing wild, just a touch on the fresh side.
Sunday 12th is a write-off: only 5ft to 5ft of SSW swell, but it’s cross-shore wind and the energy is weak (947). Not worth paddling out. Monday 13th morning gets glassy and clean with 4ft SSW swell, but it’s still low energy (458)—decent for a beginner session, but nothing to get excited about. Tuesday 14th is a bit better: 5ft to 5ft ESE swell, glassy both morning and afternoon, energy moderate (395 to 446). Clean waves, but small.
Now, Wednesday 15th afternoon is where things start to heat up. Only 3ft of swell, but it’s a long-period 18-second SSW groundswell, and the energy jumps to 1014 (moderate). Glassy conditions, clean faces. This is a sneaky good session for a log or a mid-length if you’re patient.
The first real standout is Thursday 16th morning. Solid 8ft SW swell, 14-second period, glassy with calm wind. Energy is strong (2762). This is excellent surf, but it’s over 8ft, so only for experienced surfers. The Heads will have some serious push, and with that long period, it’ll be better shaped than a typical beach dump—keep an eye on the sandbar setup.
Friday 17th is a bit of a letdown: 10ft SW swell but cross-shore winds and chop, energy strong (2925). Not clean. Saturday 18th morning cleans up nicely with 7ft SW swell and cross-offshore wind—clean, powerful, and energy is strong (1836). Another good one for experienced surfers. Sunday 19th afternoon sees 5ft E swell, glassy, and moderate energy (988)—a nice mellow session after the bigger days.
There’s a gap from Monday 20th to Tuesday 21st morning, but Tuesday 21st is a monster: 10ft WSW swell comes in glassy, 10-second period, energy strong (1820). That’s excellent for experienced surfers again. But by Tuesday afternoon, the swell jumps to 12ft SW, and the forecast says it’s too big for this break. Same for Wednesday 22nd morning and afternoon—12ft SSW swell, 14-second period, clean offshore winds, but simply too big for The Heads. Energy is massive (4494 and 4230). This is for experts only, and even then, it’s pushing the limits.
Thursday 23rd is still big (8ft to 8ft SSW, 14-second period) but with cross-offshore wind and energy strong (2175 to 2734). Clean but heavy. Friday 24th afternoon is a gem: 8ft SW swell, 14-second period, glassy, and energy is very strong (4851). Excellent surf for experienced surfers. Saturday 25th is another standout: 8ft SSW swell, 16-second period (very long period), glassy both morning and afternoon, energy strong (3678 to 3081). This is prime groundswell—perfect for a point or reef, but at The Heads sandbar, that long period might make it break a bit straight. Still, clean and powerful.
Sunday 26th is too big again: 18ft SW swell in the morning, energy extreme (10499). Not for paddling. Monday 27th backs off to 10ft SSW, but cross-on wind and marginal conditions.
Overall, the best on offer is Thursday 16th morning and Saturday 25th morning/afternoon. Both are glassy, strong, and excellent for experienced surfers. If you’re after a smaller clean session, Wednesday 15th afternoon is a sleeper pick.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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) | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SSW 18 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | S 13 | S 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
642 | 515 | 375 | 265 | 306 | 246 | 275 | 360 | 240 | 173 | 534 | 3330 | 2670 | 1830 | 2318 | 2871 | 2588 | 1932 | 1160 | 1283 | 884 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | off | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-off | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | off |
High Tide | 2:17PM1.51m | 2:34AM1.69m | 3:08PM1.65m | 3:23AM1.77m | 3:53PM1.76m | 4:08AM1.79m | 4:37PM1.83m | 4:50AM1.77m | 5:18PM1.85m | 5:30AM1.70m | 5:58PM1.81m | 6:09AM1.60m | 6:37PM1.73m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:06AM0.25m | 8:21PM0.30m | 8:57AM0.13m | 9:15PM0.19m | 9:43AM0.05m | 10:03PM0.12m | 10:24AM0.00m | 10:48PM0.10m | 11:03AM0.00m | 11:31PM0.12m | 11:41AM0.05m | 00:12AM0.20m | 12:17PM0.14m | 00:52AM0.30m | |||||||
7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | |
— | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 18 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 20 | 18 |
Feels °C | 15 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 11 | 15 | 18 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SW 11 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | S 13 | S 12 |
642 | 515 | 256 | 172 | 173 | 246 | 275 | 360 | 240 | 173 | 344 | 3330 | 2670 | 1830 | 2318 | 2871 | 2588 | 1932 | 1160 | 1283 | 884 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 7 | SSW 16 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | SW 9 | SW 5 | SW 6 | SSW 18 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | — | S 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
124 | 25 | 353 | 265 | 306 | 125 | 78 | 43 | 7 | 39 | 534 | 87 | 92 | 71 | 76 | 54 | 53 | — | 440 | 1050 | 659 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | SSW 15 | W 10 | SSE 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SW 12 | SW 12 | E 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 10 | E 10 | ESE 7 |
11 | 3 | 2 | 21 | 2 | 88 | 42 | 41 | 54 | 52 | 136 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 186 | 31 | 172 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 6 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | — | — | — | — | SW 3 | — | SW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 4 | ESE 5 | ESE 6 | E 8 |
181 | 178 | 375 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 80 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 35 | 50 | 91 | 371 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 8 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 8 | 26 | 26 | 0 | 8 | 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.










