Surf Forecasts:
The Heads surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 12s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 15s period, SW swell with 3,241 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 15s. 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 15s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Howdy, Rusty here. Look, straight up, the next couple of days at The Heads are pretty average—marginal conditions and questionable tides are making it tough to get excited. There’s a bit of swell around, but the winds are messing it up. Don’t get too keen until we see a shift.
Monday 24th August: A 5.2ft SW swell rolls in, but it’s got a cross-onshore wind and the wave energy is moderate (1048). Water temp is 58.6°, which is a good 4.5° colder than normal—so it’s gonna feel pretty nippy out there. Not a great start.
Tuesday 25th: The swell jumps to 8.2ft from the SW with a long 15-second period. The morning has light onshore wind, but the afternoon shifts cross-onshore. Wave energy is getting proper strong (3983). Still, the quality is choked by the wind and tide. Not the one.
Wednesday 26th: A drop to 5.2ft from the SSW with a 12-second period, but a moderate cross wind (12 mph) and then a fresh cross wind (22 mph) in the arvo makes a lumpy, choppy mess. Wave energy is moderate to strong (2078 to 2436). Hard pass.
Thursday 27th: Now we’re talking. This is the standout of the first week. The morning turns glassy—zero wind—with a clean 5.9ft SSW swell, 12-second period, and strong energy (1474). It's only for experienced surfers at that size, but if you’re up for it, this is your window. The Heads will be clean and powerful. The afternoon drops to a 6.6ft ESE swell but gets a cross wind, so hit that morning.
Friday 28th: Another good morning with a 5.2ft E swell, 10-second period, glassy conditions, and moderate energy (970). The afternoon stays glassy with a smaller 4.3ft ESE swell (747). Both sessions are clean, but the swell’s a bit softer. Worth a paddle if you missed Thursday.
Saturday 29th: Swell drops right off—2.3ft to 3.0ft—with offshore wind in the morning but cross-off in the arvo. Not enough size to get excited. Wave energy is low (472 to 551).
Sunday 30th: Swell builds back to 6.2ft from the SW, but cross-onshore and cross winds make it choppy. Strong energy (1667 to 3345), but the quality’s not there.
Monday 31st: Back to 5.2ft SW swell, cross and cross-onshore winds. Moderate energy (704 and 686). Nothing special.
Tuesday 1st September: Tiny 3.0ft SW swell, cross-onshore. Energy is weak (351). Then the arvo sees 6.6ft SW swell but again cross-onshore. Not recommended.
Wednesday 2nd September: Now, here’s a big one—11.5ft to 9.8ft SW swell with a 13-second period and strong energy (2995 to 3920). But it’s cross-onshore and the swell is too big for The Heads. This is expert-only territory, and even then, the wind and conditions are marginal. I’d say wait for a better day.
Thursday 3rd September: Massive 19.7ft to 21.3ft swell from the SE with a short 10-second period. Onshore winds at 16 mph. Wave energy is extreme (7710 to 10331). This is dangerous and poor quality. Avoid.
Friday 4th September: Still huge—23.0ft from the ESE with an 11-second period and extreme energy (12478 down to 11436). Cross-off wind in the morning, cross in the arvo. The swell is predicted to be too big for this break. Not safe for paddle surfing. If you have a kite, maybe look at it, but for a surfboard, stay on the beach.
Saturday 5th September: Dropping to 11.5ft ESE swell in the morning with cross wind, then 8.2ft in the arvo. Still too big for a comfortable session. Energy is strong (3350 to 2121). The wind is not ideal either.
Sunday 6th September: Back to 7.2ft from the SSW with a very long 16-second period, cross wind, moderate to fresh breeze. Wave energy is strong (3010 to 1878). That long period groundswell will be breaking straight at a sandbar, so it’s tricky. Not the best.
Monday 7th September: A 6.6ft SSE swell with a 10-second period and cross-off wind. Moderate energy (1193).
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the E on Wed afternoon, calm by Thu morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 33°C on Sat afternoon, min 16°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | ||||||||||||||
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 11 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | E 10 | ESE 10 | S 10 | SW 13 | E 11 | SW 16 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
652 | 2323 | 3241 | 2509 | 1858 | 800 | 1038 | 1071 | 872 | 600 | 710 | 520 | 342 | 270 | 164 | 202 | 349 | 1418 | 1885 | 748 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross | glassy | glassy | glassy | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | glassy |
High Tide | 2:11PM1.34m | 2:15AM1.43m | 2:39PM1.49m | 2:44AM1.55m | 3:06PM1.63m | 3:12AM1.65m | 3:32PM1.75m | 3:40AM1.72m | 3:59PM1.84m | 4:08AM1.76m | 4:26PM1.89m | 4:37AM1.76m | 4:54PM1.90m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:15PM0.51m | 8:30AM0.35m | 8:44PM0.38m | 8:56AM0.23m | 9:11PM0.26m | 9:21AM0.12m | 9:39PM0.16m | 9:46AM0.05m | 10:07PM0.09m | 10:13AM0.01m | 10:35PM0.06m | 10:40AM0.01m | 11:05PM0.06m | |||||||
— | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | |
6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 |
Temp °C | 16 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 18 | 19 | 15 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 27 | 30 | 32 | 33 | 26 | 18 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 14 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 29 | 24 | 16 | 13 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 12 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | E 10 | ESE 10 | S 10 | E 11 | E 11 | SW 16 | E 11 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
652 | 2323 | 3241 | 2509 | 1858 | 800 | 1038 | 1071 | 475 | 600 | 710 | 520 | 342 | 249 | 157 | 202 | 349 | 205 | 1325 | 748 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SE 11 | SSW 16 | — | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 11 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | E 10 | S 11 | SW 13 | E 11 | SSE 11 | E 11 | E 11 |
394 | 4 | 742 | — | 350 | 768 | 447 | 149 | 872 | 423 | 596 | 403 | 284 | 270 | 151 | 170 | 163 | 22 | 125 | 64 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | — | — | — | — | SW 13 | SW 13 | — | WSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 17 | WSW 11 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | S 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 |
2 | — | — | — | — | 382 | 388 | — | 127 | 414 | 11 | 47 | 121 | 158 | 164 | 82 | 68 | 22 | 10 | 10 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | SE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 2 | WNW 5 | WSW 6 | WSW 7 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 128 | 563 | 574 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 59 | 97 | 134 | 1418 | 1885 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 7 | 0 | 7 | 26 | 0 | 390 | 387 | 26 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 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.











