Surf Forecasts:
The Heads surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 19 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 8s period, ESE swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 2,643 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period with E 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 14) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 3.0m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 1.5m and 13s is also forecast. 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 Wednesday (Sep 16) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Sat 19th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let’s break down The Heads.
Monday the 14th of September has some waves, about 2.3m to 2.1m from the ESE, but the wind is onshore and cross-onshore, so it’s messy. Not a day to get excited about.
Tuesday the 15th morning is a glass-off. A 1.6m E swell, period around 11 seconds. It’s clean, it’s small but workable. The Heads will have a few, but don’t expect perfection.
Wednesday the 16th is rough. A 2.5m SW swell with a 14-second period, but the wind is up and choppy. That long-period groundswell might make it break fat and straight over the sandbar. Not the day.
Thursday the 17th and Friday the 18th are poor. Strong cross-shore wind, messy waves. Stay on land.
Saturday the 19th sees a 3.5m ESE swell, short period of 8 seconds. It’s too big for The Heads, expert-only, and more of a kite-surfing day.
Sunday the 20th afternoon is a standout. Glassy conditions, a 1.8m SW swell with a 14-second period. Clean and powerful. That’s your best bet for a solid session.
Monday the 21st is average. Tuesday the 22nd through Wednesday the 23rd, the swell drops below 1.3m and it fades.
Thursday the 24th brings another big one, 3.5m to 4.0m from the ESE. Too big again.
Friday the 25th afternoon shapes up nicely. A 2.5m WSW swell, cross-offshore wind, clean. That’s for the experienced crew.
Saturday the 26th and Sunday the 27th are blown out. Big swell, onshore wind, choppy.
Monday the 28th stays too big.
Tuesday the 29th morning is glassy, 2.5m SSW swell, 13-second period. A proper option for those who can handle it.
Best on offer: Sunday the 20th afternoon – glassy, clean, and a solid 1.8m groundswell. Tuesday the 29th morning is another good one for the experienced. The rest is either too small, too windy, or too big.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 38mm), heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 21°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Wed night. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SE on Wed night, fresh winds from the ESE by Fri afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | ||||||||||||||
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 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | WSW 10 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 13 | ESE 8 | E 9 | ESE 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1975 | 1020 | 867 | 734 | 606 | 418 | 1449 | 2458 | 2020 | 1053 | 911 | 869 | 675 | 622 | 492 | 905 | 1537 | 1454 | 993 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | glassy |
High Tide | 5:04AM1.68m | 5:18PM1.77m | 5:32AM1.58m | 5:45PM1.63m | 5:58AM1.45m | 6:11PM1.47m | 6:25AM1.31m | 6:38PM1.31m | 6:56AM1.16m | 7:13PM1.15m | 8:00AM1.01m | 9:23PM1.02m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:02PM0.08m | 11:05AM0.12m | 11:29PM0.18m | 11:31AM0.24m | 11:54PM0.31m | 11:57AM0.38m | 00:21AM0.45m | 12:24PM0.53m | 00:52AM0.59m | 12:56PM0.68m | 1:44AM0.74m | 2:09PM0.83m | |||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |  | | |  | | |  | | | | |
 | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — |
 | 6:16 | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:19 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:21 | — |
mm | — | 4 | 2 | 11 | — | — | 3 | 9 | 9 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 20 | 21 | 18 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 17 |
Feels °C | 20 | 20 | 19 | 15 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 16 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | SW 10 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 1493 | 1020 | 867 | 734 | 606 | 418 | 934 | 2458 | 2020 | 1053 | 911 | 869 | 675 | 622 | 492 | 905 | 633 | 718 | 683 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 15 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 15 | SSW 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 792 | 527 | 373 | 224 | 194 | 202 | 605 | 143 | 102 | 73 | 72 | 35 | 33 | 49 | 334 | 31 | 261 | 178 | 744 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SW 7 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | E 11 | S 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 64 | 50 | 202 | 231 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | — | SSW 3 | — | — | — | WSW 10 | — | — | SSE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 9 | ESE 9 |
| kJ | 1975 | — | 3 | — | — | — | 1449 | — | — | 333 | 278 | 155 | 142 | 193 | 395 | 729 | 1537 | 1454 | 993 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 7 | 84 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 7 | 29 | 26 | 8 | 26 | 483 | 0 | 429 | 497 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 0 |
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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