Surf Forecasts:
The Heads surf forecast from 12 Nov 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 21 Nov, 8PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 19s period, SSW swell with cross-onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 21 Nov, 11PM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 18s period, SSW swell with 13,769 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 12 Nov, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 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 Thursday (Nov 12) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 10s. 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 5.0m 18s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Nov 21) 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 Thursday (Nov 19) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Thu 12th Nov) | 5ft (1.5m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Sat 21st Nov) | 15ft (4.5m) 19s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sat 21st Nov) | 16ft (5.0m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Heads over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Thu afternoon, min 14°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 22°C on Mon afternoon, min 16°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 12 | Friday 13 | Saturday 14 | Sunday 15 | Monday 16 | Tuesday 17 | Wednesday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 12 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 997 | 760 | 475 | 357 | 362 | 1510 | 2430 | 2310 | 2003 | 1599 | 1034 | 645 | 396 | 303 | 799 | 1011 | 1050 | 987 | 811 | 712 | 528 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross |
High Tide | 4:56PM1.56m | 5:21AM1.48m | 5:27PM1.46m | 5:55AM1.39m | 6:00PM1.36m | 6:37AM1.31m | 6:40PM1.25m | 7:32AM1.23m | 7:38PM1.15m | 8:52AM1.20m | 9:13PM1.10m | 10:23AM1.25m | 10:54PM1.13m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:48AM0.33m | 11:08PM0.28m | 11:20AM0.42m | 11:40PM0.37m | 11:55AM0.52m | 00:17AM0.46m | 12:39PM0.62m | 1:02AM0.54m | 1:41PM0.71m | 2:06AM0.61m | 3:15PM0.73m | 3:31AM0.64m | 4:51PM0.67m | 4:53AM0.60m | |||||||
 | |  |  | | | | | |  | |  | | |  |  | |  | | | | |
 | 5:18 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — |
 | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:06 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:08 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:10 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 21 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 22 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 25 | 25 | 21 |
Feels °C | 20 | 20 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 23 | 23 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 12 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | ESE 9 |
| kJ | 997 | 760 | 475 | 357 | 362 | 1510 | 2430 | 2310 | 2003 | 1599 | 1034 | 645 | 396 | 303 | 799 | 1011 | 1050 | 987 | 811 | 712 | 270 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | — | — | E 9 | S 10 | ESE 7 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 6 | E 8 | ESE 7 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 81 | 108 | 98 | 68 | 45 | 27 | 25 | — | — | 13 | 130 | 135 | 74 | 56 | 25 | 23 | 13 | 38 | 49 | 121 | 528 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 19 | SW 18 | SSW 13 | — | — | — | — | — | E 8 | S 9 | SSE 11 | SSW 16 | SSE 11 | SE 12 | E 10 | E 9 | SSE 6 | SE 13 | SE 12 |
| kJ | — | — | 7 | 12 | 98 | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | 104 | 12 | 102 | 12 | 6 | 16 | 76 | 21 | 28 | 37 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | — | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | SE 6 | ESE 9 | ESE 5 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 148 | 150 | 45 | 43 | — | 218 | 291 | 175 | 108 | 98 | 208 | 26 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 26 | 886 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 485 | 886 | 11 | 26 | 26 | 0 | 88 | 839 | 8 | 499 | 202 | 0 | 8 | 886 | 7 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Garden Route | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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