The Heads Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.07° S 23.06° E

The Heads Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 25 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Heads sea temperature is
15.4°C
1.8° 

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 25 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, SW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 13s period, SW swell with 8,398 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 25 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 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 Tuesday (Aug 25) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 18s. 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 5.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 8PM. 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 Saturday (Aug 29) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Tue 25th Aug)7.5ft (2.3m) 14s
Best Surf 2PM (Tue 1st Sep)11ft (3.5m) 13s
Most Powerful 8PM (Tue 1st Sep)16ft (5.0m) 13s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’ve got a wild ride ahead at The Heads, with a solid start that gets properly big before backing off again.

The surf kicks off with a bang on Tuesday afternoon, August 25th. A big 8ft SW swell is rolling in with a very long 14-second period and the combined energy is pumping hard at 2509. Water temp is sitting at 60°, which is a bit colder than usual for this time of year, so you’ll want the thick rubber. The only issue is a light cross-shore wind that’s just enough to put a few tiny ripples on it. It’s not perfect, but the size and power are there.

Wednesday the 26th gets messy quick. Morning brings 6ft of S swell at a long 16 seconds, but a moderate 16 mph cross-shore breeze chops it up. By the afternoon, it’s even worse with 22 mph winds and a lumpy 8ft SSW swell. Honestly, this day is a write-off for a clean wave.

Now, Thursday morning, August 27th, is the standout for the first week. You’ve got a clean 7ft SSW swell (12-second period) with zero wind—completely glassy. The energy is strong at 1597. This is excellent for experienced surfers, but at 7ft, it’s getting a bit heavy for the less experienced. This is the one to circle.

Friday the 28th cleans up nicely. The swell drops to 5ft from the S (11 seconds) with glassy conditions both morning and afternoon. It’s not as powerful, with moderate energy around 750, but you’ll get some clean, fun waves.

After that, things drop off fast. Saturday the 29th has a weak 4ft S swell and a cross-onshore wind. By Sunday the 30th, a new 4ft SW swell arrives (14-second period) with clean conditions from a cross-offshore breeze and 1024 energy, so a few clean lines are possible, but it’s not a headline day.

From Monday the 31st through Tuesday the 1st of September, the swell jumps back up. Tuesday afternoon sees a massive 13ft SW swell with a crazy 8566 combined energy, but the wave comment warns it’s just too big for this break. Same goes for Wednesday the 2nd with a 13ft to 12ft SW swell—expert territory only and choppy with it.

Thursday, September 3rd, brings a potential second standout. The morning shows an 8ft SW swell (12 seconds) with glassy conditions and strong energy at 2391. Perfect for experienced surfers again. It’s a promising window, but it’s over a week out, so keep an eye on the forecasts.

Friday the 4th stays big with 13ft to 12ft SE swell, but again, too big and with onshore winds. The next week sees the swell drop into the 5ft to 8ft range, but winds are mostly cross-shore or onshore, making it a tough call. The morning of Saturday the 5th has a short-period, weak 6ft ESE swell (7 seconds, 685 energy) with moderate cross-shore chop. Not great.

Sunday morning, September 6th, offers a clean 8ft E swell with a light cross-offshore breeze. The energy is strong at 1955, and it’s clean. That’s another one for the experienced crew, a good week-and-a-half out.

After that, the surf tails off into smaller, shorter-period swells through to Wednesday the 9th of September. A few glassy moments on the 9th morning with 5ft S swell, but it’s low on energy.

There’s a dry spell from Saturday the 29th to Sunday the 30th where the quality just isn’t there, and another one from Tuesday the 1st to Wednesday the 2nd when it’s just too big. But overall, there’s enough on offer to keep you keen.

Signing off, Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the E on Wed afternoon, calm by Thu morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Warm (max 25°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Tue
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
2
1
4
4
2
3
3
3
2
1
0
0
3
2
3
2
2
2
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
14
2.3
SW
14
1.7
S
16
2.3
SSW
16
2.1
SSW
12
2
SSW
12
1.5
S
12
1.7
S
12
1.4
S
11
1.3
S
11
1.3
S
11
1.1
S
11
0.8
WSW
13
0.9
SW
14
1.3
SW
14
1.8
SW
13
1.6
SW
12
1.6
SW
12
1.6
SW
12
1.4
SW
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2509
1922
1552
2543
1310
1090
646
773
467
394
403
307
215
305
586
1018
760
678
723
466
Wind (km/h)
5
ESE
10
ENE
25
E
35
E
10
NE
0
NE
5
ESE
5
W
5
WSW
5
S
5
WSW
10
WSW
20
W
20
WSW
15
W
10
SW
5
NNW
5
SSW
5
S
5
N
Wind State
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
glassy
glassy
glassy
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
on
off
High Tide
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
5:06AM1.72m
5:24PM1.85m
Low Tide
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
11:09AM0.05m
11:36PM0.12m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:54
6:52
6:52
6:50
6:48
6:48
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:04
6:05
6:05
6:06
6:07
6:07
6:07
 mm
2
3
Temp °C
15
13
18
20
15
25
27
21
25
25
22
23
21
16
13
15
13
15
16
12
Feels °C
14
12
14
15
11
25
25
20
24
24
22
22
19
14
10
12
12
13
13
12
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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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