The Heads surfForecast / Garden Route / South Africa

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 7 pm Tuesday 25 Nov 2025 SAST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
The Heads surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's The Heads sea temperature is
19.9° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for The Heads this week:

The surf forecast for The Heads over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Nov 26) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at The Heads in the next 12 days are 2.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Nov 26) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Wed 26th Nov)8ft (2.5m) 14s
Best Surf 2PM (Fri 28th Nov)11ft (3.5m) 8s
Most Powerful 2AM (Wed 26th Nov)8ft (2.5m) 14s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Heads over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Warm (max 27°C on Fri morning, min 19°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the ENE on Tue night, fresh winds from the ESE by Thu afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Warm (max 23°C on Mon morning, min 16°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Sat morning, calm by Mon morning).

Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
01
Tue
02
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
4
2
1
2
2
0
1
1
!
3
0
0
0
1
2
4
2
2
3
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2.5
SSW
2.2
SSW
2
SSW
1.9
SSW
2.5
S
1.8
S
3
ESE
3
ESE
3.5
ESE
2.1
ESE
2.5
WSW
2.1
SW
2
SSW
1.3
SW
2.5
SSW
2.5
SSW
2.3
SW
2.1
SW
2
SW
2.1
SW
1.9
SW
Period(s) (?)1413121110988998881312121313121212
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)27361673119790012075441056103919156927424894765601751172216761471118711801029
Wind
(km/h)
10
WNW
15
SW
15
SSE
10
ESE
25
ESE
30
ESE
20
E
25
E
10
E
5
NW
30
WSW
25
SW
15
WSW
10
SW
10
SE
5
NE
10
SSE
15
SE
5
N
15
S
10
SSE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
on
oncross-
on
crosscrosscrosscrosscrosscross-
off
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
offonon
High Tide
/ height (m)
6:52AM
1.36
6:58PM
1.30
7:52AM
1.32
8:06PM
1.21
9:08AM
1.32
9:37PM
1.18
10:29AM
1.39
11:07PM
1.23
11:38AM
1.50
12:16AM
1.33
12:35PM
1.63
1:12AM
1.46
1:27PM
1.75
Low Tide
/ height (m)
12:30AM
0.41
12:58PM
0.58
1:21AM
0.48
2:08PM
0.63
2:28AM
0.53
3:36PM
0.62
3:47AM
0.55
5:01PM
0.53
5:04AM
0.50
6:09PM
0.40
6:10AM
0.41
7:04PM
0.25
7:07AM
0.31
7:52PM
0.13
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
01
Tue
02
Sunrise-5:09--5:09--5:09--5:09--5:09--5:09--5:09-
Sunset--7:19--7:20--7:21--7:22--7:22--7:22--7:23
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
mod rain
part cloud
thunderstorm
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
--------8-1121-------
Temp. °C222423212221202726222121192121182323192323
Feels °C (?)212423222018182524231817171919182222192222
  • 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 12 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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