
Surf Forecasts:
The Heads surf forecast from 28 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 29 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 29 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 14s period, SW swell with 1,697 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 29 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 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 Wednesday (Jul 29) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 1.8m and 6s. 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 2.2m 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 02) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Wed 29th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Wed 29th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Wed 29th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, grab your board. This is Rusty, and I’m looking at the next couple of weeks for The Heads. It’s a sandbar setup, fairly consistent, and the swell is mostly coming from the SSE direction, which is where this spot likes it.
We’ve got a bit of wait before the real fun kicks off. Wednesday the 29th is a write-off with a messy cross-shore wind and a lot of energy in the water (1357), but it’s not clean. Thursday the 30th morning is where we start to see a glimmer. The swell is a solid 5ft from the SW, and that light cross-offshore breeze is going to clean it right up. The combined energy is still high (1472), giving it some punch. It’s a good session for the experienced surfer, but not a standout just yet.
Friday the 31st morning is clean again with a light cross-off wind and a smaller 4ft SW swell. The energy drops off (854), but it’s a nice, easy paddle. Then we hit the weekend. Saturday the 1st of August, the morning turns glassy, absolute perfection. The wind is dead calm from the north, and we’ve got a 7ft swell from the ESE with a period of 9 seconds. The energy is moderate (1005), and those conditions are going to be silky. Sunday the 2nd is even better. Glassy, calm, no wind at all, with a 7ft ESE swell. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there. Monday the 3rd keeps the glassy conditions going, with a 6ft ESE swell and a longer period of 11 seconds, making for some proper lines.
The standout of the first week is Tuesday the 4th. The morning is a bit iffy, but the afternoon turns glassy again with a light offshore wind. The swell is 4ft from the SW with an 11-second period, and the energy is manageable (661). It’s clean, it’s fun, and the crowds are a possibility but not a guarantee.
Now, hold on to your leash for the second week. Wednesday the 5th of August brings a serious pulse. The morning has a 10ft SW swell with a 14-second period. The energy is massive (3122). This is big, powerful, and only for experts. The wind is glassy, so it’ll be a clean wall of water, but it’s not for the faint-hearted. The swell stays at 10ft through Thursday the 6th, with the energy hitting a massive 4805 on the morning. Again, glassy conditions, but it’s a beast.
Friday the 7th is a different story. We’re looking at a 13ft SW swell with a 14-second period, and the energy is off the charts (5920). The wind is a strong cross-shore, and there’s rain. The wave comment says it’s too big for this break. This is a no-go for paddle surfing. The setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than for a standard paddle.
The weekend of the 8th and 9th turns ugly. Strong winds, rain, and messy cross-chop. The swell is still big (8ft to 8ft), but the conditions are blown out. Avoid it.
The real standout of the whole forecast is Monday the 10th of August. The wind swings to a light cross-offshore, cleaning up a 7ft SW swell. The energy is still high (2140), but the conditions are “excellent for experienced surfers.” It’s a powerful, clean, and well-shaped day. Tuesday the 11th is a little more onshore, but still rideable.
Wednesday the 12th and Thursday the 13th are a mix. The 13th morning, however, is another flash of brilliance. Glassy conditions, a 10ft SW swell, and a 12-second period. The energy is again massive (3848). Another big day for the experts.
So, to wrap it up: the first few days are a wash. The best windows are the glassy mornings from the 1st to the 4th of August for the average surfer, and the absolute standout day for the experienced crew is Monday the 10th of August. That big pulse on the 7th is a no-go. Keep your eyes on the forecast, but for now, the second week looks promising but less certain. Stay stoked.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | ESE 8 | E 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
1697 | 1182 | 1144 | 1061 | 841 | 841 | 701 | 466 | 727 | 1004 | 796 | 708 | 792 | 641 | 577 | 659 | 672 | 463 | 555 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross | off | glassy | glassy | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:35AM1.61m | 3:59PM1.64m | 4:04AM1.66m | 4:28PM1.71m | 4:33AM1.68m | 4:56PM1.75m | 5:01AM1.68m | 5:24PM1.77m | 5:31AM1.64m | 5:54PM1.75m | 6:03AM1.58m | 6:27PM1.70m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:32PM0.33m | 9:48AM0.18m | 10:03PM0.26m | 10:15AM0.12m | 10:32PM0.22m | 10:42AM0.08m | 11:02PM0.19m | 11:09AM0.08m | 11:32PM0.20m | 11:37AM0.11m | 00:05AM0.23m | 12:08PM0.18m | 00:40AM0.29m | ||||||
— | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | |
5:44 | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 19 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 16 | 20 | 23 | 18 | 23 | 23 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 16 |
Feels °C | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 10 | 13 | 16 | 12 | 18 | 21 | 15 | 21 | 21 | 13 | 18 | 18 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | SW 12 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | SW 12 |
1697 | 1182 | 1144 | 1061 | 841 | 841 | 414 | 273 | 374 | 727 | 796 | 708 | 792 | 641 | 577 | 659 | 672 | 463 | 555 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | ESE 7 | ESE 9 | — | SW 13 | SW 13 | — | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | ESE 10 |
— | — | — | 238 | 232 | — | 701 | 466 | — | 203 | 125 | 125 | 277 | 335 | 374 | 367 | 424 | 367 | 335 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 17 | SW 15 | SW 14 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 10 | SW 16 | SW 15 | S 13 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 44 | 84 | 103 | 17 | 16 | 6 | 2 | 41 | 104 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | — | E 9 | ESE 6 | — | ESE 6 | ESE 8 | E 9 | — | — | — | — | — | W 3 | — | SW 3 | — |
263 | 175 | 540 | — | 399 | 257 | — | 115 | 727 | 1004 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | 3 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 26 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Garden Route | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.










