The Heads surfForecast / Garden Route / South Africa

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 1 pm Friday 29 May 2026 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
19.3° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)

The Heads surf forecast from 29 May 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 29 May, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 29 May, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 2,337 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 29 May, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s 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 Friday (May 29) at 8PM. 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 16 days are 2.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (May 29) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 11s period and expected on Thursday (Jun 04) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Fri 29th May)8ft (2.5m) 14s
Best Surf 8PM (Fri 29th May)8ft (2.5m) 14s
Most Powerful 8PM (Fri 29th May)8ft (2.5m) 14s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sun afternoon, min 15°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 26mm), heaviest during Tue morning. Warm (max 22°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Fri
29
Saturday
30
Sunday
31
Monday
1
Tuesday
2
Wednesday
3
Thursday
4
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
4
3
3
3
3
2
2
3
3
1
0
3
1
2
2
1
0
2
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.5
SW
14
2.3
SW
13
2
SW
13
1.7
SW
12
1.6
SW
12
1.7
SW
12
1.7
SW
12
1.4
SW
12
1.3
SW
11
1.6
SW
11
1.9
SW
12
1.4
SW
11
2.1
SW
11
2.2
SSW
9
1.7
SW
13
1.8
SW
12
1.6
SW
12
2
SE
9
1.9
SE
9
2.1
SE
11
1.9
SE
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2686
1810
1306
860
689
846
800
546
461
595
1059
493
996
698
981
948
694
585
593
972
806
Wind (km/h)
15
E
10
NNE
5
WSW
5
SE
5
NE
0
NW
5
E
5
N
5
WSW
5
SSW
15
WNW
15
SSW
15
SSW
5
ENE
20
E
25
E
20
E
25
E
25
E
15
ENE
20
E
cross
off
glassy
glassy
cross-off
glassy
glassy
off
glassy
glassy
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
High Tide
2:43PM1.48m
2:50AM1.60m
3:16PM1.52m
3:23AM1.61m
3:48PM1.54m
3:55AM1.61m
4:21PM1.54m
4:28AM1.58m
4:54PM1.52m
5:00AM1.54m
5:28PM1.49m
5:33AM1.48m
6:05PM1.45m
6:08AM1.42m
Low Tide
8:41PM0.37m
9:08AM0.24m
9:14PM0.34m
9:38AM0.23m
9:47PM0.33m
10:10AM0.23m
10:20PM0.34m
10:42AM0.25m
10:54PM0.37m
11:14AM0.28m
11:29PM0.42m
11:48AM0.32m
00:07AM0.48m
12:25PM0.36m
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:22
7:22
7:24
7:24
7:24
7:26
7:26
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:27
5:27
5:25
5:25
5:25
5:24
5:24
5:24
4
4
4
5
4
4
1
2
1
Temp °C
18
16
19
20
16
22
23
20
22
22
17
16
16
15
14
14
14
14
15
14
15
17
15
18
19
15
22
22
19
21
21
18
12
13
14
10
9
9
9
9
10
10
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.5
SW
14
2.3
SW
13
2
SW
13
1.7
SW
12
1.6
SW
12
1.7
SW
12
1.7
SW
12
1.4
SW
12
1.3
SW
11
1.6
SW
11
1.9
SW
12
1.4
SW
11
2.1
SW
11
2.2
SSW
9
1.7
SW
13
1.8
SW
12
1.6
SW
12
2
SE
9
1.1
SW
11
2.1
SE
11
1.9
SE
11
Energy kJ
2686
1810
1306
860
689
846
800
546
461
595
1059
493
996
698
981
948
694
585
308
972
806
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
ESE
6
0.7
ESE
6
0.6
ESE
5
0.7
ESE
7
0.6
ESE
7
0.8
ESE
7
0.8
ESE
7
0.7
ESE
7
0.7
E
7
0.5
E
8
0.4
E
8
0.3
E
8
0.3
E
8
0.3
WSW
12
0.3
WSW
12
1.6
SW
12
1.4
SW
11
0.7
SE
11
1.1
SW
11
0.9
SW
10
Energy kJ
79
33
23
46
35
51
65
54
52
29
21
12
11
28
26
694
455
128
263
160
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
ESE
9
0.3
ESE
9
0.4
SSW
15
0.5
SSW
13
0.2
S
13
0.1
S
13
0.2
S
12
0.4
SSW
17
Energy kJ
7
15
71
93
14
3
11
117
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
SE
6
1.3
E
6
0.4
WSW
3
1.5
WSW
6
1.6
SSE
7
2.4
SSE
8
2.1
SE
8
1.9
SE
9
Energy kJ
78
118
4
181
272
787
588
593
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
2
2
3
3
2
3
3
4
4
4
3
3
4
4
Distance (km)
8
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
390
85
0
26
26
26
26
26
8
26
Best forecast wave conditions in Garden Route
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
3
3
4
4
4
3
3
4
4
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
2
3
3
4
4
4
3
3
4
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
5
7
7
6
5
5
4
4
5
8
4
6
5
5
5
5
5
7
6
  • 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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