The Heads Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.07° S 23.06° E

The Heads Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 04 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Heads sea temperature is
16.1°C
1.2° 

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 4 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 7 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 15s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with 5,509 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 5 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 8s period with ESE 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 Saturday (Sep 05) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 10s 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 3.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Sat 5th Sep)7ft (2.1m) 8s
Best Surf 5AM (Mon 7th Sep)7.5ft (2.3m) 15s
Most Powerful 5PM (Sun 6th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

Right, let’s have a look at what’s coming our way.

The Heads (The Heads, sandbar) is the only spot on the cards, and there’s a tough start. The first few days are messy with a moderate cross-shore wind and only marginal surf. The swell is there, but the quality is just not making it worth paddling out. Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th are poor, with a building but messy SSW swell hitting around 8 ft to 10 ft on Sunday, but that east wind is strong and cross, ruining any chance of a clean face. Combined swell energy is chunky, hitting 4935 on Sunday morning, but it’s a lumpy mess.

Monday the 7th offers the first real glimpse of hope. The early morning has a 7 ft SSW groundswell with a long 14-second period, and the wind drops right off to just a slight air, almost glassy. That’s a big positive – clean conditions at last. The combined energy is still strong at 2926, so there will be power, and the shape should be good thanks to that long period, but this is a sandbar break, so watch for the swell lining up a bit straight at times.

The standout window is the morning of Friday the 11th. Swell drops a touch to 6 ft from the SW, period at 13 seconds, and we get a clean, cross-off breeze from the ENE at only 6 mph. The surface will be smooth, the waves will have some push, and the combined energy sits at a solid 1207. This is the best of the run – a proper session on offer. Crowds are sometimes a thing, but for that kind of glassy morning, it’ll be worth sharing the bank.

After that, the swell cranks up significantly. Saturday the 12th sees a 12 ft SSE windswell (8-second period) with a combined energy of 1789, and by Sunday the 13th we’re looking at a massive 15 ft to 12 ft swell, energy jumping to 8850. This is way too big for this break – it’s expert territory only, and even then, the wind is cross, making it a challenging, messy beast. The setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing during those days.

Things settle down again towards the middle of the second week. The morning of Tuesday the 15th is a real gem: glassy conditions, light offshore wind, and a 4 ft SW groundswell with a 13-second period. The combined energy is only 980, but the surface will be like a mirror. That’s a sneaky good morning for a longboard or a funboard.

The final weekend sweeps in with another pulse of big ESE swell on the 19th, hitting 18 ft in the morning. Energy is massive at 7776, but again, it’s well beyond the comfort zone for most, and the wind is up. That stretch is one for watching, not paddling.

Overall, Friday the 11th morning is the pick for a clean, punchy session. Keep an eye on Tuesday the 15th morning for glassy, smaller waves if you want it easy. The long-range stuff is promising but less certain, as always.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Tue afternoon, min 17°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
1
0
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
2
2
3
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.1
ESE
8
1.5
SSW
11
1.4
SSW
10
0.9
SSW
22
2.5
SSW
19
3
SSW
17
2.4
SSW
16
2.1
SSW
14
1.9
SSW
14
2
ESE
9
1.6
E
9
1.4
E
10
1.1
E
10
0.7
SW
14
1
SW
13
0.9
SW
12
1.5
SW
16
1.9
SW
15
1.9
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
493
467
370
893
4455
5509
2787
1797
1261
600
449
354
221
198
335
220
1123
1697
1463
Wind (km/h)
15
ENE
20
E
20
ESE
20
E
25
E
30
E
20
ENE
5
E
10
SE
5
NNW
5
SSE
10
ESE
5
NE
15
WSW
10
WSW
5
WNW
5
SSW
15
E
15
ENE
Wind State
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross
glassy
cross
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross
cross-off
High Tide
8:36PM1.27m
9:53AM1.10m
10:59PM1.21m
12:15PM1.21m
00:43AM1.33m
1:22PM1.41m
1:40AM1.49m
2:07PM1.61m
2:23AM1.63m
2:45PM1.78m
3:00AM1.73m
3:19PM1.90m
3:34AM1.79m
Low Tide
3:22AM0.65m
4:09PM0.71m
5:49AM0.61m
6:29PM0.60m
7:09AM0.45m
7:36PM0.42m
7:57AM0.28m
8:22PM0.24m
8:34AM0.13m
9:00PM0.11m
9:08AM0.03m
9:34PM0.02m
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:41
6:39
6:39
6:37
6:35
6:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:10
6:10
6:12
6:13
6:14
6:14
6:15
 mm
Temp °C
15
16
17
16
17
17
15
21
24
21
26
27
21
24
22
17
19
19
17
Feels °C
10
12
13
13
13
12
11
20
23
21
26
26
20
23
21
17
20
19
17
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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