The Heads Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.07° S 23.06° E

Issued: 1 pm 06 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Heads sea temperature is
16.9° C

Slightly cooler than normal

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 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 TypeTime (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 Forecast

Light 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 Summary

Light 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
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
2
3
4
3
3
2
3
3
4
4
3
4
4
0
4
2
3
4
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
SW
11
1.7
SW
12
1.9
SW
12
1.8
SW
12
2.1
SW
13
2.2
SW
13
2.1
SW
12
2.5
SW
16
3
SSW
14
3
SSW
13
3
SSW
13
3
SSW
13
3
SSW
13
3
SSW
12
2.1
SSW
12
1.8
SSW
12
1.6
SSW
12
1.7
S
11
2
ESE
8
2.5
SE
9
2.2
ESE
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
650
819
1065
970
1498
1569
1357
3486
3052
2678
3451
3365
2747
2269
1269
904
699
694
549
1104
871
Wind (km/h)
10
E
10
NW
5
WSW
5
S
5
NNE
15
W
15
W
10
SW
10
W
5
WSW
5
NW
5
ESE
10
E
10
ENE
5
S
20
ESE
10
ENE
10
E
5
ESE
5
N
10
W
Wind State
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
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:33
7:33
7:33
7:31
7:31
7:31
7:31
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
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)
1.6
SW
11
1.7
SW
12
1.9
SW
12
1.8
SW
12
2.1
SW
13
2.2
SW
13
2.1
SW
12
2.5
SW
16
3
SSW
14
3
SSW
13
3
SSW
13
3
SSW
13
3
SSW
13
3
SSW
12
2.1
SSW
12
1.8
SSW
12
2.4
SE
8
1.7
S
11
1.7
SSE
9
2.5
SE
9
2.2
ESE
10
Energy kJ
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)
0.9
ESE
11
0.8
ESE
10
0.6
ESE
10
0.5
ESE
10
0.4
ESE
10
0.7
SSW
18
1
SSW
17
0.2
ESE
9
0.1
SE
17
0.1
E
10
0.1
SE
15
0.1
SE
14
0.1
SE
13
1.8
SE
7
0.2
W
12
1.6
SSW
12
1.7
ESE
8
1.6
ESE
8
1
SSW
10
1
SSW
10
Energy kJ
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)
0.1
S
8
0.8
ESE
10
0.1
S
22
0.4
SSW
20
0.4
ESE
10
0.3
ESE
10
0.1
E
10
0.1
SE
16
0.1
W
13
0.1
SW
16
1
SSW
11
0.5
S
9
0.3
S
9
Energy kJ
1
123
9
127
31
18
2
10
3
10
242
43
15
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
W
3
0.6
W
3
1.5
SW
7
1.8
SE
6
2.3
SE
7
2.2
SE
7
2
ESE
8
Energy kJ
6
8
204
209
514
516
549
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
5
5
4
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
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
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
5
4
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
5
4
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
7
8
7
5
5
9
8
9
8
7
5
6
5
8
5
5
5
5
5
9
8
  • 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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