Surf Forecasts:
The Heads surf forecast from 3 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 3 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 11s period, SE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 9 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, SSW swell with 3,487 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 3 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 11s period with SE 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 (Jul 03) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.8m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at The Heads in the next 16 days are 3.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 09) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Fri 3rd Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Fri 3rd Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Thu 9th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Heads over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the line for The Heads over the next couple of weeks.
We’ve got a solid stretch of surf on the way, with a decent run of clean conditions to start. The water is sitting at about 63°F, which is pretty much standard for this time of year, so nothing to worry about on that front.
Friday the 3rd kicks things off with a 6ft swell out of the SE, period of 11 seconds. The wave energy is strong. It’s a bit of a mixed bag though - morning looks clean with that light northerly breeze, but the arvo swings around to a cross-on southwesterly and the quality drops. Not the best day to go blowing off work for.
The real standout is Saturday the 4th. Saturday morning is looking like the pick of the early run. We’ve got a clean 7ft swell from the ESE with a 13-second period, and it’s glassy as a mirror with the northerly wind dropping out completely. That’s groundswell energy rolling in, and when it’s that clean, The Heads will be offering up some proper lines. It’s a fairly exposed sandbar so expect some punch. This is the one for experienced surfers - get on it.
Sunday the 5th keeps the good vibes rolling. Morning is clean 5ft from the ESE with a light offshore from the NNW, then the arvo goes glassy again on a 5ft southeast swell. It’s still fun, clean surf.
Monday the 6th has a glassy morning with a 7ft SW swell but the wind switches to a cross-shore ESE in the arvo, stirring things up a touch.
Looking further out, keep an eye on Thursday the 16th and Friday the 17th. Thursday the 16th morning has a solid 7ft SW groundswell with a very long 16-second period, clean with a light offshore north wind. That’s big, powerful, and clean - expert territory for sure. Thursday arvo and Friday the 17th hold clean conditions with glassy wind, though the swell settles a bit to 8ft and then 5ft. This run later in the window looks promising, but it’s a bit further out so keep your fingers crossed.
There’s a few sloppy days in between, like Tuesday the 14th with strong winds and rain - not worth paddling out for. And Saturday the 18th gets blown out with a fresh cross-shore, so don’t bother.
Overall, the best of the best is Saturday the 4th and Thursday the 16th. Don’t sleep on the 4th - that’s the one to call in sick for.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon afternoon, min 14°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 3 | Saturday 4 | Sunday 5 | Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 12 | ESE 13 | SE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 659 | 969 | 1598 | 1276 | 948 | 769 | 636 | 518 | 329 | 1111 | 1150 | 1269 | 1249 | 1048 | 1094 | 1864 | 1438 | 3487 | 3379 | 3264 | 2329 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-on | off | glassy | cross | off | off | glassy | off | glassy | cross | off | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:51PM1.60m | 5:54AM1.53m | 6:24PM1.59m | 6:29AM1.47m | 7:01PM1.57m | 7:10AM1.40m | 7:43PM1.53m | 7:59AM1.31m | 8:36PM1.48m | 9:05AM1.23m | 9:46PM1.44m | 10:33AM1.20m | 11:10PM1.43m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:34AM0.20m | 11:55PM0.35m | 12:05PM0.23m | 00:32AM0.38m | 12:39PM0.27m | 1:14AM0.41m | 1:18PM0.34m | 2:03AM0.46m | 2:05PM0.42m | 3:05AM0.50m | 3:08PM0.50m | 4:23AM0.51m | 4:29PM0.55m | ||||||||
 | |  |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — |
 | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 18 | 14 | 18 | 19 | 15 | 19 | 21 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 13 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 9 | SE 11 | SE 12 | ESE 13 | SE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 497 | 969 | 1598 | 1276 | 948 | 769 | 636 | 518 | 329 | 1111 | 1150 | 1269 | 1249 | 1048 | 1094 | 1864 | 1438 | 3487 | 3379 | 3264 | 2329 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 11 | SW 10 | WSW 9 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | SW 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SE 9 | E 10 | SE 15 | SE 14 |
| kJ | 659 | 248 | 165 | 225 | 162 | 123 | 172 | 99 | 256 | 207 | 143 | 90 | 67 | 37 | 36 | 190 | 667 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 8 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | WSW 8 | SW 11 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | WSW 10 | S 8 | ESE 11 | — | — | E 11 | SSW 20 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 10 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 46 | 117 | 147 | 120 | 173 | 174 | 238 | 147 | 154 | 1 | 143 | — | — | 9 | 77 | 17 | 8 | 2 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WSW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 3 | SW 5 | — | — | — | E 5 |
| kJ | — | 175 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 64 | — | — | — | 104 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 26 | 26 | 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.
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