The Heads surfForecast / Garden Route / South Africa

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 1 pm Sunday 21 Dec 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
20.5° 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 Monday (Dec 22) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 2.3m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 1.1m and 11s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at The Heads in the next 12 days are 3.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Dec 21) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Mon 22nd Dec)8ft (2.5m) 8s
Best Surf 2AM (Mon 22nd Dec)8ft (2.5m) 8s
Most Powerful 8PM (Sun 21st Dec)10ft (3.0m) 8s

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 Tue night. Warm (max 26°C on Mon morning, min 18°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Fri night. Warm (max 24°C on Thu morning, min 16°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds.

Sun
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
Thursday
25
Friday
26
Saturday
27
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
1
4
1
2
1
1
0
2
0
0
1
0
0
2
1
0
1
0
0
2
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
3
ESE
2.5
E
2.2
ESE
2.1
ESE
2.1
ESE
1.8
ESE
1.3
ESE
1
E
1
E
2.2
SE
2
ESE
2.3
ESE
2.5
ESE
1.1
SW
1.1
SW
2.1
ESE
1.1
SW
1.1
SW
1.1
SW
1
SW
1.7
ESE
Period(s) (?)889101010101010976712117111111106
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)10521018737811855616335192200800350432603343307374314297249204192
Wind
(km/h)
30
ESE
5
NE
15
SSW
10
SW
15
W
15
W
20
SW
5
WNW
20
SE
25
ESE
20
E
25
ESE
35
ESE
10
E
5
S
20
SE
10
SE
10
SE
20
ESE
15
E
25
ESE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crossglasscross-
on
cross-
on
crosscrosscross-
on
glasscross-
on
crosscrosscross-
on
crosscrossoncross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross
High Tide
/ height (m)
4:25PM
1.63
4:53AM
1.59
4:57PM
1.61
5:26AM
1.59
5:29PM
1.57
6:01AM
1.58
6:05PM
1.51
6:39AM
1.56
6:45PM
1.44
7:22AM
1.53
7:33PM
1.34
8:14AM
1.49
8:36PM
1.25
9:20AM
1.45
Low Tide
/ height (m)
10:40PM
0.18
10:53AM
0.32
11:11PM
0.18
11:28AM
0.34
11:44PM
0.20
12:05PM
0.37
12:18AM
0.25
12:47PM
0.42
12:57AM
0.31
1:37PM
0.46
1:43AM
0.39
2:39PM
0.51
2:42AM
0.47
Sun
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
Thursday
25
Friday
26
Saturday
27
Sunrise--5:13--5:13--5:13--5:13--5:15--5:15--5:16
Sunset7:37--7:37--7:38--7:38--7:39--7:39--7:40--
clear
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
heavy rain
light rain
rain showers
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
-1---1141------11231--
Temp. °C232126262223232021211924221922221918201923
Feels °C (?)202327272423222020191621181623211719181719
  • 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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