The Heads Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.07° S 23.06° E

The Heads Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 15 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Heads sea temperature is
17.3° C
0.1° 

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 16 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 21 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 21 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SW swell with 4,281 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 16 Jul, 11AM (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 Thursday (Jul 16) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at The Heads in the next 16 days are 3.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 5PM. 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+)11AM (Thu 16th Jul)8ft (2.5m) 14s
Best Surf 8PM (Tue 21st Jul)11ft (3.5m) 14s
Most Powerful 5PM (Tue 21st Jul)10ft (3.0m) 14s

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


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sun morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wed
22
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
3
3
4
2
2
1
2
4
2
3
2
2
2
3
3
4
!
4
3
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)
3
SW
15
2.5
SW
14
2.3
SW
13
1.9
SW
13
2.3
SW
12
2
SW
11
1.6
SW
10
1.1
S
12
1.8
SW
11
2.2
SW
9
2.3
SW
10
2.1
SW
12
1.3
SW
11
1.3
SW
11
1.7
SSW
11
1.8
SSW
12
3
SSW
15
3
SW
14
3.5
SW
13
3
SW
13
2.5
SW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
3241
2633
1862
1173
1448
884
478
322
763
822
964
1130
414
398
649
934
3431
4281
4084
2744
2142
Wind (km/h)
5
W
5
WSW
5
WSW
10
WNW
5
SE
5
SE
5
NNW
5
W
5
SW
5
NW
15
W
5
W
5
NE
0
SW
10
SW
5
NW
10
WSW
10
W
10
WNW
5
N
5
SE
Wind State
cross
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross
glassy
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
glassy
cross
cross
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
High Tide
4:50AM1.77m
5:18PM1.85m
5:30AM1.70m
5:58PM1.81m
6:09AM1.60m
6:37PM1.73m
6:47AM1.48m
7:15PM1.61m
7:27AM1.34m
7:56PM1.47m
8:12AM1.21m
8:44PM1.33m
9:14AM1.10m
Low Tide
10:48PM0.10m
11:03AM0.00m
11:31PM0.12m
11:41AM0.05m
00:12AM0.20m
12:17PM0.14m
00:52AM0.30m
12:52PM0.26m
1:32AM0.42m
1:29PM0.40m
2:16AM0.53m
2:10PM0.55m
3:12AM0.63m
3:07PM0.67m
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:30
7:30
7:30
7:28
7:28
7:28
7:26
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:36
5:36
5:37
5:37
5:37
5:38
5:39
5:39
 mm
1
Temp °C
15
16
18
14
17
19
15
18
19
15
15
15
14
17
17
14
16
19
16
18
19
Feels °C
14
16
17
13
17
18
15
17
18
15
11
14
14
17
15
13
14
16
13
16
17
  • 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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