The Heads Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.07° S 23.06° E

The Heads Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 20 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Heads sea temperature is
13.9°C
3.6° 

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 21 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 24 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 13s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 26 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 15s period, SW swell with 1,836 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 21 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 12s 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 (Sep 21) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 8s. 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 2.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 26) at 5PM. 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+) 5AM (Mon 21st Sep)5ft (1.6m) 12s
Best Surf11PM (Thu 24th Sep)6.5ft (2.0m) 13s
Most Powerful 5PM (Sat 26th Sep)6.5ft (2.0m) 15s

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


Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 30°C on Tue afternoon, min 15°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 50mm), heaviest during Sat afternoon. Warm (max 25°C on Fri morning, min 15°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, fresh winds from the WSW by Sat afternoon).

Monday
21
Tuesday
22
Wednesday
23
Thursday
24
Friday
25
Saturday
26
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
0
0
2
2
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
4
3
2
2
1
1
3
Swell
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
13
1.4
SW
12
1.2
SW
12
1.1
SW
11
1.5
E
7
1.1
SW
13
1.1
SW
12
1
SW
11
0.8
SW
11
1.4
SE
8
2.2
ESE
7
1.8
SSW
14
1.9
SSW
13
1.7
SSW
12
1.6
SSW
12
1.3
SW
12
1.3
SSW
16
2
SW
15
2.1
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
838
580
403
278
214
369
303
228
162
261
437
1277
1152
878
722
433
768
1836
1762
Wind (km/h)
5
NE
10
SE
20
E
15
ENE
5
E
5
ESE
10
W
20
W
10
SSW
15
E
20
ESE
25
E
5
NNE
5
WNW
5
WSW
10
NNE
15
SSW
30
WSW
20
W
Wind State
glassy
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
on
cross
cross
cross
glassy
glassy
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-off
High Tide
00:26AM1.10m
1:08PM1.20m
1:13AM1.25m
1:38PM1.37m
1:45AM1.40m
2:05PM1.54m
2:14AM1.53m
2:31PM1.69m
2:42AM1.65m
2:58PM1.82m
3:11AM1.74m
3:26PM1.91m
3:41AM1.79m
Low Tide
6:51AM0.66m
7:16PM0.65m
7:25AM0.51m
7:46PM0.50m
7:53AM0.36m
8:14PM0.34m
8:19AM0.23m
8:41PM0.20m
8:46AM0.12m
9:09PM0.08m
9:13AM0.04m
9:38PM-0.00m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
light rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:18
6:18
6:16
6:15
6:13
6:11
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:22
6:22
6:22
6:23
6:24
6:24
6:25
 mm
2
3
16
31
5
Temp °C
17
20
21
17
27
30
21
17
18
18
20
21
19
25
22
20
18
18
16
Feels °C
16
20
20
16
27
30
21
15
17
19
18
18
18
26
23
20
19
18
13
  • 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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