
Surf Forecasts:
The Heads surf forecast from 2 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 6 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 8 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, SW swell with 4,122 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 2 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 12s period with ESE 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 (Aug 02) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at The Heads in the next 16 days are 3.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 08) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Thu 6th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sat 8th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s look at what The Heads has on offer over the next sixteen days.
First up, Sunday the 2nd of August in the afternoon – it’s a slow start. Small 4ft SW swell, 13-second period, with a light cross-shore breeze. Energy’s weak. Water temp’s 63°, about average for this time of year. It’s marginal but you could bob around if you’re keen.
Monday the 3rd, first light, that’s where it gets interesting. Swell bumps to 6ft from the ESE, 11-second period, but the real win is the glassy, dead-calm conditions. Energy’s moderate now. This is the early standout: clean, fun-sized waves. The Heads is "fairly consistent" and "sometimes" crowded, so you won’t be alone.
Tuesday morning drops to 4ft SW, 12-second period, but the wind turns offshore from the north – clean again, just smaller.
Wednesday morning is another glassy beauty: 4ft SW with a long 15-second period – proper groundswell. Energy’s moderate. The long period makes the sandbar work well, and paddling out is easier between sets.
Wednesday afternoon the swell jumps to 7ft SW, 16-second period – very long period groundswell – and energy gets strong (2196). The breeze goes cross-onshore, a bit of texture, but there’s a heap of power in the water for experienced surfers.
From Thursday the 6th into the next week, it gets big – too big. Thursday morning has 10ft SW, 13-second swell, cross-shore wind, strong energy (3602). Messy and heavy. Friday the 7th holds 8ft SW, 15-second period, cross-shore – still lumpy and expert-only. The quality’s marginal for a few days straight.
Tuesday the 11th of August is a massive standout for big-wave riders only. Morning: 21ft SW, 14-second period, glassy, with energy screaming at 16629. Afternoon: 23ft SSW, 16-second period, still glassy, energy at 24131. The Heads is "fairly exposed", so it’s copping everything. This is strictly for experts on big-wave gear.
Wednesday the 12th stays huge: 18ft S, 16-second period, cross-shore wind, energy at 16211. Still only for the brave.
Thursday the 13th of August finally settles. Morning has 10ft SSE, 14-second period, glassy as glass – excellent for experienced surfers. Energy’s still strong (3274), but the conditions are clean and lined up. This is your best bet for a solid, powerful session without getting smashed.
From Friday the 14th onwards, the swell drops to 5ft to 8ft, but winds are mostly cross or cross-onshore – not pristine. Saturday the 15th has 8ft SW, 15-second period, cross-shore – okay but not glassy. The final days, Sunday the 16th and Monday the 17th, are mostly poor with lumpy onshore winds and weak energy.
Best bets? Monday morning the 3rd for clean, fun waves. Thursday the 13th for bigger, glassy, powerful surf if you’ve got the experience. Everything else is either small, messy, or way too big to be fun.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Tue afternoon, min 16°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Thu afternoon. Warm (max 22°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 9 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SW 12 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
424 | 921 | 655 | 634 | 541 | 383 | 363 | 245 | 489 | 1933 | 2717 | 3514 | 2561 | 3130 | 2913 | 2471 | 2233 | 2188 | 1982 | 3425 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | off | glassy | cross | off | off | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 5:54PM1.75m | 6:03AM1.58m | 6:27PM1.70m | 6:39AM1.49m | 7:04PM1.62m | 7:21AM1.37m | 7:51PM1.50m | 8:19AM1.23m | 9:00PM1.37m | 9:56AM1.14m | 10:48PM1.31m | 12:01PM1.18m | 00:33AM1.38m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:05AM0.23m | 12:08PM0.18m | 00:40AM0.29m | 12:42PM0.27m | 1:23AM0.37m | 1:24PM0.39m | 2:18AM0.48m | 2:22PM0.53m | 3:41AM0.58m | 3:58PM0.63m | 5:38AM0.57m | 6:03PM0.60m | ||||||||
— | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | |
5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 24 | 19 | 24 | 25 | 21 | 27 | 30 | 18 | 21 | 22 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 21 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 14 |
Feels °C | 22 | 17 | 22 | 22 | 17 | 23 | 26 | 15 | 21 | 21 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 18 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
408 | 921 | 655 | 634 | 541 | 356 | 363 | 245 | 250 | 1933 | 2717 | 3514 | 2561 | 3130 | 2913 | 2471 | 2233 | 2188 | 1982 | 3425 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 15 | ESE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 |
424 | 278 | 600 | 488 | 528 | 383 | 314 | 220 | 489 | 245 | 145 | 88 | 65 | 68 | 47 | 44 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 16 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 14 | SSW 14 | — | S 13 | — | — | SSW 18 | SSW 15 | SW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
145 | 264 | — | 3 | — | — | 30 | 85 | 144 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | ESE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | SW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 5 | SW 7 | — |
— | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 56 | 158 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 11 | 8 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 8 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Garden Route | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











