The Heads Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.07° S 23.06° E

The Heads Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 17 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Heads sea temperature is
14.3°C
3.2° 

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 17 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 19 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 12s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 24 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, SSW swell with 2,379 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 19 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 13s 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 Saturday (Sep 19) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 18s. Another secondary swell of 2.2m and 8s 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 2.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 24) at 2PM. 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+) 2AM (Sat 19th Sep)5ft (1.5m) 13s
Best Surf 8AM (Sat 19th Sep)5ft (1.5m) 12s
Most Powerful 2PM (Thu 24th Sep)8ft (2.5m) 14s

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


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sun morning, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Wed morning. Warm (max 31°C on Tue morning, min 16°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Thu
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
Sunday
20
Monday
21
Tuesday
22
Wednesday
23
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
0
1
3
2
2
4
3
3
3
0
0
2
2
1
1
3
3
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2
SW
12
1.8
SW
12
1.8
SW
11
1.7
SW
11
1.5
SW
13
1.4
SW
12
1.3
SW
12
1.9
SW
14
2.1
SW
13
1.9
SW
13
1.6
SW
13
1.3
SW
12
1.2
SW
12
1.1
SW
11
1
SW
11
1.1
SW
11
1.6
SW
8
1.9
SW
10
2.4
SSW
11
2.4
SSW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1111
865
808
713
721
565
435
1554
1591
1228
760
471
403
326
228
268
308
652
1326
1624
Wind (km/h)
20
ESE
15
E
25
E
25
E
15
ENE
5
S
10
SE
5
NE
5
SE
10
E
0
NE
15
ESE
15
E
10
NE
10
NNW
15
W
10
WSW
5
SE
5
SSE
10
ESE
Wind State
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross
glassy
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
glassy
cross-on
cross
High Tide
6:38PM1.31m
6:56AM1.16m
7:13PM1.15m
8:00AM1.01m
9:23PM1.02m
12:12PM1.04m
00:26AM1.10m
1:08PM1.20m
1:13AM1.25m
1:38PM1.37m
1:45AM1.40m
2:05PM1.54m
2:14AM1.53m
Low Tide
00:52AM0.59m
12:56PM0.68m
1:44AM0.74m
2:09PM0.83m
5:05AM0.80m
6:23PM0.81m
6:51AM0.66m
7:16PM0.65m
7:25AM0.51m
7:46PM0.50m
7:53AM0.36m
8:14PM0.34m
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
light rain
mod rain
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:22
6:22
6:20
6:18
6:18
6:16
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:20
6:20
6:21
6:22
6:22
6:22
6:23
 mm
2
3
5
7
3
Temp °C
15
14
16
17
15
17
19
16
21
21
18
22
22
22
31
31
18
16
17
17
Feels °C
11
10
10
12
12
16
18
15
21
20
19
22
21
22
30
30
18
17
18
17
  • 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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