The Heads Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.07° S 23.06° E

The Heads Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 24 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Heads sea temperature is
17.4° C
0.0° 

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 24 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 27 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 17s period, SSW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 27 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 17s period, SSW swell with 6,204 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 25 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s 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 (Jul 25) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 8s. 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 3.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 27) 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+) 2AM (Sat 25th Jul)8ft (2.5m) 14s
Best Surf 8PM (Mon 27th Jul)11ft (3.5m) 17s
Most Powerful 8PM (Mon 27th Jul)11ft (3.5m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ at The Heads over the next couple of weeks.

We’ve got a decent run of SW swell pushin’ in, but there are some proper sizey days in the mix that’ll sort the men from the boys. The water’s sittin’ about average for the time of year, so nothin’ wild to worry about there. The first few days have some proper clean windows, but there’s also a few gaps where the wind or the sheer size gets a bit hairy. Let’s break it down.

The real standout window opens Saturday morning the 25th. The Heads is lookin' at a solid 8 ft SW groundswell with a 13-second period, and the wind is totally glassed out. That’s clean, lined-up faces for the experienced crew. The combined energy’s pumpin’ with a value of 2144, so there's plenty of push. Saturday arvo the wind swings cross-shore and it gets a bit messy, but the morning is your go.

Sunday the 26th keeps the goods comin’. Morning glass again, with 7 ft SW swell, 12-second period, and clean conditions. That’ll be a fun, punchy session with moderate energy (1575). The afternoon stays clean with a slight drop to 6 ft but still glassy, so you can surf all day.

Monday the 27th is a write-off – the wind gets into it with a cross-chop and light rain, so give it a miss.

Now, here’s where it gets serious. Tuesday the 28th sees a jump to 10 ft SSW swell from a 15-second period in the morning with cross-shore chop. That’s proper power (4049), but it’s gonna be a handful. The afternoon bumps to 12 ft from the SSW with more energy (4442) – that’s expert-only territory, and even then, the wind and size are pushing the limits of what this break can handle.

Wednesday the 29th morning comes good again. That same 7.5 ft SSW groundswell (13 seconds) but with a clean cross-off breeze. The energy’s a solid 2020, and the wind keeps the faces nice. That’s another one for the experienced crew to lock in.

Thursday the 30th is a bit scrappy – shorter period, less energy, and the wind bounces around. Not worth the drive.

Friday the 31st is another huge day. Morning brings a 12 ft E swell (9-second period) with clean cross-off wind. That’s a massive 3561 in the energy column. The swell direction is a bit off the optimum for The Heads (they prefer SSE), but the wind is clean, so it’ll still offer some heavy lumps. Afternoon drops to 10 ft but stays clean – again, this is only for the chargers.

The first few days of August get messy with cross-shore and cross-on winds and a mix of swell directions. The size stays solid (6.5 ft to 7.5 ft), but the quality drops. Wait for the next clean window.

Monday the 3rd of August brings another proper morning glass-off. 7 ft ESE swell (10 seconds) and clean as a whistle (1728). That’s a proper session for the intermediate crew, with fun, manageable waves. The arvo drops to 5 ft SW but stays glassy – a nice way to finish the day.

From Tuesday the 4th into the 5th, the swell drops a touch and the wind gets a bit more onshore or cross, so things thin out.

Then, from the 6th of August through to the 8th, we’re back into heavy territory. Big 10 ft to 12 ft SW groundswells (14-15 seconds) with clean offshore or glassy winds on the 6th and 7th, but the wave energy is absolutely thumping (over 3800 to 4524). The swell direction is not ideal (SSW instead of optimum SSE) and the sheer size is just too much for The Heads. Unless you’re a top-level charger, sit these days out. The 8th has a similar story but with a different wind.

The run finishes on the 9th of August with a 8 ft SW swell (11 seconds) and a light cross-on wind. It’s surfable for the keen, but not the pick of the bunch.

Best on offer: Your top call is Saturday morning the 25th at The Heads – that glassy 8 ft SW groundswell is perfect for the experienced surfer, and it’s the best combination of size, period, and wind. The second standout is Monday morning the 3rd of August – a smaller, clean 7 ft ESE swell that’s perfect for a session without the crowd stress, and the glassy conditions will make it unreal.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Warm (max 23°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 22°C on Thu afternoon, min 11°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
3
4
4
3
1
2
1
!
3
!
4
4
1
4
3
2
!
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.5
SW
14
2.4
SW
13
2.5
SW
13
2.5
SW
12
2.1
SW
12
1.8
SW
12
1.9
SW
13
2.3
SW
12
2.5
SSW
13
3.5
SSW
16
3
SSW
15
3.5
SSW
15
3
SSW
14
2.3
SSW
13
1.7
SSW
13
2.3
E
8
1.2
SSW
13
2
ESE
9
3.5
E
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2633
2067
2207
1824
1180
897
1167
1543
2339
5432
4041
4435
3155
1929
1030
689
471
560
2060
Wind (km/h)
5
NNW
0
SSW
10
ESE
5
NE
5
NE
5
SE
20
W
15
W
15
SE
10
E
15
E
20
ESE
15
ENE
10
NE
15
E
10
NNE
10
NE
10
E
10
NE
Wind State
cross-off
glassy
cross
cross-off
glassy
glassy
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
High Tide
00:56AM1.24m
1:43PM1.21m
1:50AM1.33m
2:24PM1.32m
2:30AM1.44m
2:59PM1.44m
3:04AM1.53m
3:30PM1.55m
3:35AM1.61m
3:59PM1.64m
4:04AM1.66m
4:28PM1.71m
4:33AM1.68m
Low Tide
7:32AM0.58m
7:43PM0.63m
8:16AM0.47m
8:26PM0.52m
8:50AM0.36m
9:01PM0.42m
9:20AM0.26m
9:32PM0.33m
9:48AM0.18m
10:03PM0.26m
10:15AM0.12m
10:32PM0.22m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
light rain
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:26
7:24
7:24
7:24
7:22
7:22
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:42
5:42
5:43
5:44
5:44
5:45
5:45
 mm
1
4
1
Temp °C
13
16
17
14
20
23
17
16
16
15
16
17
14
15
18
14
18
22
18
Feels °C
12
15
15
12
18
21
16
13
13
13
12
13
11
13
15
10
15
19
14
  • 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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