The Heads Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.07° S 23.06° E

The Heads Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 20 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Heads sea temperature is
13.9° C
3.4° 

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 21 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 12s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 2,844 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 12s 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 Friday (Aug 21) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.4m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 9s. 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 2.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Fri 21st Aug)8ft (2.4m) 12s
Best Surf 5AM (Fri 21st Aug)8ft (2.4m) 12s
Most Powerful 8AM (Tue 25th Aug)8ft (2.5m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at the next couple of weeks for The Heads.

First up, it’s a slow start. Friday and Saturday are pretty average—wind is on it or cross, and the swell is a bit messy. You’re looking at a combined energy reading of 1256 on Friday morning, dropping off, but the wind is wrong for clean takeoffs. Saturday is even worse, with a moderate cross-chop and poor conditions. Not worth paddling out.

Sunday the 23rd is where it starts to get interesting. Sunday morning we’ve got glassy conditions at The Heads, wind is light from the south at 3 mph, dead calm. Swell is a solid 8 ft from the SW with 11 seconds of period. That’s proper groundswell, with a combined energy of 1544 (moderate-strong energy). The set waves will have some punch, but the period is a bit short for building a real top-to-bottom wall. Still, for experienced surfers, this is the pick of the week. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, nothing weird.

Monday through Wednesday morning is a bit of a mixed bag. Monday (24th) is marginal, with light cross-onshore winds and 6 ft swell. Tuesday morning (25th) sees a bigger 8 ft swell from the SW, with a 14-second period (long period groundswell) and combined energy hitting 2687. That’s a lot of energy. But the wind is cross-on, so it’ll be a bit bumpy. Still, if you’re experienced, you’ll find some power. Wednesday morning (26th) has 6 ft swell but the wind picks up again, making it choppy.

Now, Thursday the 27th afternoon, we get a 5 ft swell from the S with a 14-second period, combined energy of 1520, and light cross-shore wind. That’s a bit better, but still not a standout.

The real highlight for the first week is Friday the 28th morning. The Heads has clean conditions with offshore wind from the north at 3 mph, and a 4 ft swell from the S, 11-second period. The combined energy is 969 (moderate). It’s not big, but it’s clean, and the wind is perfect. That’s a morning session to set your alarm for.

Saturday the 29th is small again, 4 ft, but cross-shore wind. Not great.

Now, we’ve got a gap of a few days with no real quality surf until Tuesday the 1st of September. On Tuesday morning, the wind is cross-offshore from the ENE at 9 mph, swell is 6 ft from the SSE, 8-second period. Combined energy is 1043. The wind is favourable, but the short period (under 8 seconds) means it’ll be a bit weak and choppy. Still, it’s clean.

Then, Wednesday the 2nd and Thursday the 3rd get bigger, but the wind is problematic. Thursday afternoon (3rd) sees a massive 13 ft swell from the SW with a 17-second period—very long period groundswell. Combined energy is 8698, which is strong. But the forecast says it’s too big for this break. Same for Friday the 4th and Saturday the 5th, with 16 ft swells and similar energy. That’s for expert-level big wave chargers only, and only if the tide is right. The wind is light on Thursday afternoon, but at that size, it’s a whole different beast.

So, the best on offer is Sunday morning the 23rd (glassy, 8 ft SW groundswell) and Friday morning the 28th (offshore, clean, 4 ft S swell). The big stuff in early September is for experts only, but it’s worth keeping an eye on.

Rusty out.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
4
2
1
3
1
0
2
4
2
3
1
2
4
3
3
4
2
1
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.5
SW
12
2.1
SW
12
1.5
SSW
12
1.4
SSW
11
1.7
SSW
11
1.5
SW
12
2.2
SW
12
2.3
SW
11
2
SW
11
1.9
SW
12
1.7
SW
12
1.7
SW
12
1.8
SW
11
2.5
SW
14
2.5
SW
14
2.3
SW
13
1.9
SW
12
3
ESE
7
2.2
ESE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1914
1250
644
460
739
594
1302
1302
1004
1118
760
752
851
2687
2238
1777
1010
746
600
Wind (km/h)
5
N
10
SE
15
E
10
WNW
25
W
20
WSW
5
WSW
5
S
10
SSE
5
N
10
SW
10
WSW
5
NW
10
SSE
10
SE
10
ENE
20
E
25
E
10
NE
Wind State
glassy
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross
glassy
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
High Tide
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
2:39PM1.49m
2:44AM1.55m
3:06PM1.63m
3:12AM1.65m
Low Tide
2:58AM0.75m
3:17PM0.82m
6:04AM0.77m
6:39PM0.79m
7:27AM0.63m
7:40PM0.65m
8:02AM0.49m
8:15PM0.51m
8:30AM0.35m
8:44PM0.38m
8:56AM0.23m
9:11PM0.26m
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:00
6:58
6:58
6:56
6:56
6:54
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:00
6:00
6:01
6:02
6:02
6:04
6:05
 mm
Temp °C
13
16
17
14
16
18
15
16
16
13
17
16
12
15
17
13
19
21
16
Feels °C
13
14
14
13
12
13
14
16
14
12
16
14
12
14
16
12
16
17
13
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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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