The Heads Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.07° S 23.06° E

The Heads Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 17 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Heads sea temperature is
17.5° C
0.3° 

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 18 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 17s period, SSW swell with 7,440 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 10s 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 Saturday (Jul 18) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 13s. 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 3.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 5AM. 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 (Sat 18th Jul)4.5ft (1.4m) 10s
Best Surf11PM (Sun 19th Jul)11ft (3.5m) 10s
Most Powerful 5AM (Fri 24th Jul)11ft (3.5m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s break down what The Heads has in store for the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a mixed plate, but there’s some real meaty windows to chase.

The big picture is a solid run of swell from the south and southwest, with periods that really get into groundswell territory. The first few days build up, but it’s from Wednesday, July 22nd morning that things start to fire. That morning is glassy and clean, with a 7ft SW swell at a long 13 seconds. The combined wave energy is strong at 1469, and it’s set for experienced surfers. The water temp is about normal for the time of year.

Now, the one to circle – and I mean the one – is Wednesday, July 22nd afternoon. We’ve got an 12ft SW swell with a 12-second period, and the energy reading is a massive 4927. That’s serious power. But the call says it’s predicted to be too big for this break. That’s a warning – this one is strictly for the experts. If you’re not solid, watch from the sand. The wind is light, so it’ll be clean, but the size is intimidating.

Before that, Saturday, July 18th afternoon is a sneaky good one. It’s only 5ft from the SW with a 10-second period, but the wind goes glassy. The energy is moderate at 733, and it’ll be clean. A good warm-up.

Monday, July 20th morning also looks tidy: 7ft SW at 11 seconds, glassy wind, and strong energy at 1315. That’s a solid, clean session for intermediate and above.

After that big Wednesday, things drop off a bit in quality. Thursday, July 23rd morning is glassy with a 8ft SW swell (1251 energy), but the period drops to 11 seconds. Still good, but not the standout.

Then Friday, July 24th morning is another huge pulse – 12ft SSW at a very long 16 seconds, with energy at 6098. Again, too big for the break. Experts only, and even then, it’s a big, clean ocean. The afternoon holds similar size and a 15-second period. Not for the faint-hearted.

The following week gets messier. Saturday, July 25th through Monday, July 27th sees solid swell (7ft to 10ft) from the SSW with long periods, but the winds are mostly cross or cross-on, creating chop. Energy readings stay high (2000-3400 range), but the quality is marginal. The swell is there, but the wind isn’t cooperating.

Tuesday, July 28th morning brings a brief return to clean conditions with a 6ft SSW swell (14 seconds, 2411 energy) and offshore wind. That’s a good one for the experienced crew, but the long period might make it wall up a bit at a beach break.

From Wednesday, July 29th onward, it fades. The swell drops to 2ft to 4ft, with short periods and weak energy (200-730). The wind is messy, and the forecast is ordinary. Thursday, July 30th has a tiny 2ft SW swell with a very long 16-second period, but the energy is low (366). That’s a log or a longboard day if anything.

There’s a gap of poor to flat surf from the end of July into early August, with nothing to get excited about. Saturday, August 1st morning shows a little 4ft SSW bump with glassy conditions, but the period is short (10 seconds) and energy is only 644. It’ll be surfable, but forgettable. By Sunday, August 2nd, it’s back to tiny and weak.

So, the real gold is Saturday, July 18th afternoon, Monday, July 20th morning, and especially Wednesday, July 22nd morning. The 22nd afternoon and Friday, July 24th are huge but dangerous. After that, it’s a grind. Get out there when it’s clean.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
3
3
2
1
4
3
2
3
2
3
4
4
!
5
3
2
!
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
SW
10
1.1
S
11
1.4
SW
10
1.4
SW
9
1.6
SW
12
3
SW
8
3
SW
11
2.1
SW
11
1.8
SW
10
0.9
SSW
16
1.3
SSW
14
2.1
SSW
14
2.2
SW
13
2.1
SW
13
3.5
SW
12
3
SW
11
2.3
SW
11
2.2
SW
12
3.5
SSW
17
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
469
308
380
318
672
1132
1677
928
614
366
697
1538
1684
1331
3111
2388
1193
1269
6397
Wind (km/h)
5
NW
10
W
5
WSW
5
NW
10
W
25
W
10
NW
5
SSE
10
SE
10
ENE
5
W
5
SW
5
WNW
0
SSW
5
S
5
NNW
5
ENE
10
SE
5
NNE
Wind State
cross-off
cross
glassy
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
on
off
glassy
cross-on
glassy
High Tide
6:09AM1.60m
6:37PM1.73m
6:47AM1.48m
7:15PM1.61m
7:27AM1.34m
7:56PM1.47m
8:12AM1.21m
8:44PM1.33m
9:14AM1.10m
9:54PM1.22m
10:58AM1.05m
11:34PM1.19m
Low Tide
00:12AM0.20m
12:17PM0.14m
00:52AM0.30m
12:52PM0.26m
1:32AM0.42m
1:29PM0.40m
2:16AM0.53m
2:10PM0.55m
3:12AM0.63m
3:07PM0.67m
4:36AM0.69m
4:43PM0.75m
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
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>
7:30
7:28
7:28
7:28
7:26
7:26
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:37
5:37
5:37
5:38
5:39
5:39
5:40
 mm
Temp °C
15
18
19
15
18
17
15
16
17
13
17
18
14
18
19
15
18
19
14
Feels °C
15
17
17
14
16
12
11
15
15
11
15
16
14
17
17
13
17
16
14
  • Map Icons:
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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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