Surf Forecasts:
The Heads surf forecast from 3 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 5 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 15s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 7 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, SSW swell with 3,651 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 3 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 11s 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 Monday (Aug 03) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m 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 3.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 07) 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 0.4m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Mon 3rd Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Wed 5th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Fri 7th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.
Alright, we’ve got a solid run of surf ahead, but it’s a bit of a mixed bag at The Heads. The water’s sitting at 63°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The week kicks off proper on Monday morning, August 3rd. We’ve got a clean 6ft ESE swell rolling in with a period of 11 seconds, and the wind is dead calm – glassy conditions. The combined energy is moderate (1255), so it’s got a bit of push. This is a solid start, but the direction isn’t quite the optimum SSE, so it’s not the standout.
The best of the bunch comes on Friday morning, August 7th. The swell is a solid 8ft from the SW, with a long 15-second period, and the wind is glassy again. The combined energy is strong (2826). This is a powerful groundswell, and for a sandbar, that long period might make it a bit straight, but with those conditions, it’s going to be a ripper for experienced surfers. If you’re not confident, that 8ft is getting up there, so be smart.
Keep an eye on the 14th and 15th of August. On Friday the 14th, we’ve got another glassy morning with a 10ft SW swell, 15-second period, and combined energy of 3640. That’s a serious amount of water moving. The Saturday the 15th is similar, with a 10ft SW swell and good energy (4337), but there’s a slight cross-onshore wind. Both are for experts only, but the potential is huge.
There’s a rough patch on the 9th and 10th. Heavy rain and strong onshore winds will chop up the 10ft swell, making it a write-off. Don’t bother.
The first week has some real highlights, but the second week has a couple of big, promising days that are a bit further out. Lock in the 7th for sure, and pencil in the 14th and 15th, but keep an eye on the forecasts – long-range calls can be a bit fickle.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SW 12 | SW 11 | ESE 10 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 655 | 634 | 541 | 383 | 350 | 245 | 981 | 1884 | 2119 | 3357 | 2429 | 1721 | 2779 | 3009 | 3302 | 1991 | 1521 | 3325 | 2658 | 1789 | 1968 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross | off | off | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 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 | 1:23PM1.34m | 1:42AM1.52m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 7:09AM0.44m | 7:29PM0.46m | ||||||||
 | |  | |  |  | | | | | |  | | | | | |  |  | |  | |
 | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — |
 | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 16 | 18 | 11 |
Temp °C | 24 | 25 | 21 | 27 | 30 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 12 |
Feels °C | 22 | 22 | 18 | 23 | 26 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 655 | 634 | 541 | 356 | 349 | 245 | 981 | 1884 | 2119 | 3357 | 2429 | 1721 | 2779 | 3009 | 3302 | 1991 | 1521 | 3325 | 2658 | 1789 | 1968 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | E 9 | SSW 16 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | SE 6 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 |
| kJ | 600 | 488 | 528 | 383 | 350 | 220 | 250 | 245 | 154 | 115 | 87 | 635 | 47 | 46 | 28 | 11 | 29 | 28 | 25 | 31 | 30 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 13 | — | — | SSW 18 | SSW 15 | SW 10 | — | — | — | — | E 10 | — | — | — | E 9 | — | — | E 11 | — | S 13 |
| kJ | — | 3 | — | — | 30 | 86 | 138 | — | — | — | — | 68 | — | — | — | 27 | — | — | 9 | — | 14 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NNE 3 | — | — | — | SW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 5 | — | — | S 7 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 39 | — | — | 303 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 30 | 85 | 7 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 7 | 29 | 8 | 343 | 1038 | 364 |
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.
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