Surf Forecasts:
The Heads surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, SSW swell with 4,440 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 13s 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m 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 3.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 11AM. 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+) | 8PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here, and let’s talk about The Heads. Over the next couple of weeks, there’s some serious energy in the water, but you’ve gotta pick your moments. The water is running at 57°, which is a massive 6° colder than normal for this time of year—so you’ll want a thick wetsuit and booties before you even think about paddling out. It’s a story of one massive day for the brave, then a lot of average stuff, with a couple of glassy gems hiding late in the forecast.
First real swell hits on Thursday the 20th: a chunky 12ft SW groundswell with a 13-second period, and combined energy at a whopping 4447—that’s strong. Problem is, that’s too big for most of us. Over 8ft, it’s experts-only, and with a light cross-onshore wind out of the WSW at 3 mph, it’ll be a bumpy ride even for the good guys. If you’re a charger and the tide falls right, go for it—otherwise, sit this one out.
From Friday the 21st through Monday the 25th, it’s a real grind. Swells between 5ft and 8ft, mostly SW, with cross to cross-onshore winds and energy bouncing between 730 and 2032. Moderate to strong, sure, but it’s all a bit messy. The water’s still freezing, and the chop will keep things from properly lining up. You can paddle out if you’re keen, but it’s nothing to write home about.
Then we get to Wednesday the 26th, early morning. That’s the one to circle. A 6ft SW swell, 13-second period, and the wind goes dead glassy out of the SW at 3 mph. Energy is 1161, and the call is “expect very good surf conditions.” That’s the kind of session where you might have it all to yourself and the waves will be clean, user-friendly fun. Then Thursday the 27th late afternoon, another glassy window: 5ft SSE swell with a very long 14-second period, and energy at 1406. Long-period groundswell from the SSE wraps in nicely at The Heads, giving long, clean lines. It’s described as excellent for experienced surfers, and with no wind, it’ll be a treat.
Looking into the end of the month, Monday the 31st of August, Monday morning is a big standout: 7ft SW swell with a very long 16-second period, light cross-offshore wind out of the ENE at 3 mph, and energy at 2340. That’s a clean, powerful session for the experienced crew—just get out early before the wind jumps to a howling 19 mph cross-shore in the afternoon. Also, Sunday the 30th morning offers 6ft Easterly swell with a short 7-second period, but it’s glassy—easy, clean fun if you want a mellow paddle.
The standout days? Thursday the 20th for the brave, and the glassy mornings of the 26th and 27th for everyone else. There’s a long stretch of mediocre stuff in between, so don’t waste your energy on the slop. Pick those clean windows and you’ll score.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Sat afternoon, calm by Sun night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | ||||||||||||||
PM | 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) | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 8 | SSW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 10 | SW 11 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
1777 | 2381 | 1978 | 1693 | 1500 | 4440 | 3489 | 1946 | 1250 | 924 | 821 | 582 | 468 | 2365 | 2555 | 1638 | 1035 | 756 | 485 | 1106 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 6:58PM1.48m | 7:10AM1.26m | 7:31PM1.31m | 7:49AM1.12m | 8:20PM1.16m | 9:23AM1.00m | 10:47PM1.07m | 12:37PM1.04m | 00:51AM1.16m | 1:37PM1.19m | 1:41AM1.29m | 2:11PM1.34m | 2:15AM1.43m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:11AM0.49m | 1:08PM0.53m | 1:49AM0.63m | 1:47PM0.68m | 2:58AM0.75m | 3:17PM0.82m | 6:04AM0.77m | 6:39PM0.79m | 7:27AM0.63m | 7:40PM0.65m | 8:02AM0.49m | 8:15PM0.51m | ||||||||
— | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | |
5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:02 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 17 | 18 | 14 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 12 |
Feels °C | 14 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 10 | SW 11 |
1777 | 2381 | 1978 | 1693 | 1500 | 4440 | 3489 | 1946 | 1250 | 924 | 821 | 582 | 328 | 2365 | 2555 | 1638 | 1035 | 756 | 485 | 1106 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SSW 11 | ESE 5 | ESE 5 | E 6 | E 8 | — | — | — | SSW 14 | WSW 12 | E 10 |
33 | 31 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 7 | 14 | 6 | 6 | 387 | 27 | 3 | 3 | 5 | — | — | — | 62 | 211 | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 8 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 15 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 121 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | WSW 3 | SW 7 | — | — | — | — | ESE 4 | — | WSW 6 | SW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 7 | 155 | — | — | — | — | 21 | — | 144 | 468 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 7 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 8 | 26 | 0 | 8 | 11 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 8 | 26 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Garden Route | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











