
Surf Forecasts:
The Heads surf forecast from 22 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, SSW swell with 7,271 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 23 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 12s period with SSW 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 Thursday (Jul 23) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 12s. 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 4.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty checkin’ in from The Heads. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking.
Right now, there’s a bit of a slow start. The surf is pretty average through Wednesday and Thursday, with a 7ft SW swell but it’s cross-shore and feeling a bit messy. The water here is about 63°, right on the money for this time of year – nothin’ unusual there. The combined swell energy is around 1426 (moderate) but the conditions are just marginal, so don’t rush out yet.
Come Friday morning the 24th of July, things get more interesting. We’ve got an 12ft swell from the SSW with a 16-second period – that’s proper groundswell energy. The wind is a light cross-offshore from the ENE at just 3 mph, which will keep it clean. The combined energy jumps right up to 6105, which is strong. That’s the standout session for the week. But heads up – at 12ft, this is only for experienced surfers. It’s too big for beginners. The Heads is a sandbar setup, so that long period (16 seconds) could make it a bit straight at times, but with that clean wind, it’s a serious option.
After that, Saturday the 25th drops back to a 8ft SW swell, but the wind is light and cross-shore, so it’s okay but nothin’ special. Sunday morning the 26th brings offshore winds from the NNW at 6 mph and a 6ft SW swell – clean conditions, but the energy is lower (1205). Fun for a cruisy session if you’re keen.
The middle of the week, from the 28th to the 30th, is a mixed bag. Swell stays around 7ft to 8ft from the SSW, but the wind is mostly cross-shore and sometimes onshore, so the quality is just average. Not a standout period.
Then we hit Friday the 31st of July – glassy conditions in the morning, with a 6ft SW swell. The wind is dead calm. That’s a beautiful setup for a clean surf, even if the energy is moderate (1202). The afternoon stays glassy too, with a smaller 5ft swell. This is a nice little window for anyone who wants clean, manageable waves.
Saturday the 1st of August brings a surprise – glassy morning again, but the swell shifts to the ESE at 8ft with a short 8-second period. That’s a windswell, not a groundswell, so don’t expect big power. Still, with glassy conditions, it’s worth a look for intermediate surfers. The combined energy is 1485 (moderate).
Sunday the 2nd of August has a 7ft E swell with offshore NNW wind at 6 mph – clean, but the energy is lower (969). Not a standout.
The early part of the second week gets blown out. Monday the 3rd has strong winds (22 to 25 mph from the W) and the swell drops to 5ft. Poor conditions – more of a kite day than a paddle day. Tuesday the 4th is better with a cross-offshore wind and a 6ft E swell, but it’s nothing epic.
Wednesday the 5th of August is a beauty – glassy again, with a 7ft WSW swell and a 13-second period. The combined energy is 1786 (moderate). The forecast says “excellent for experienced surfers” – that’s a solid call. Clean, glassy, and a decent swell. That’s the second standout.
Then Thursday the 6th of August gets huge – a 15ft SW swell with a 13-second period, and combined energy of 11417 (very strong). That’s massive. The wind is cross-shore at 16 mph, so it’s not clean, but the size alone is dangerous. Only for experts, and even then, it’s a beast. The Heads might be too big to handle at that size.
So, to wrap it up: the best on offer is Friday morning the 24th of July – big, clean, powerful groundswell. Second best is Wednesday the 5th of August – glassy, clean, and solid. Everything else is either average, blown out, or way too big. There’s a gap of a few days in early August where it’s just not worth it, but for a sandbar spot, it’s about right.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 26°C on Sun afternoon, min 14°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1240 | 1129 | 519 | 1208 | 1838 | 3099 | 6053 | 3987 | 2670 | 1838 | 1846 | 1315 | 913 | 798 | 1185 | 1264 | 748 | 2233 | 3130 | 3503 | 2692 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross | cross | off | off | on | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 9:14AM1.10m | 9:54PM1.22m | 10:58AM1.05m | 11:34PM1.19m | 12:41PM1.10m | 00:56AM1.24m | 1:43PM1.21m | 1:50AM1.33m | 2:24PM1.32m | 2:30AM1.44m | 2:59PM1.44m | 3:04AM1.53m | 3:30PM1.55m | 3:35AM1.61m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:07PM0.67m | 4:36AM0.69m | 4:43PM0.75m | 6:22AM0.67m | 6:36PM0.72m | 7:32AM0.58m | 7:43PM0.63m | 8:16AM0.47m | 8:26PM0.52m | 8:50AM0.36m | 9:01PM0.42m | 9:20AM0.26m | 9:32PM0.33m | ||||||||
7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | |
— | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 5 | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 15 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 23 | 26 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
Feels °C | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 9 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 20 | 24 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | ESE 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
1240 | 1129 | 519 | 1208 | 125 | 1985 | 6053 | 3987 | 2670 | 1838 | 1846 | 1315 | 913 | 798 | 1185 | 1264 | 748 | 2233 | 3130 | 3503 | 2692 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SW 12 | SE 12 | S 22 | SSW 17 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 7 | SE 10 | ESE 5 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | E 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | — | — | — | — |
186 | 190 | 486 | 147 | 36 | 3099 | 52 | 49 | 149 | 41 | 47 | 31 | 266 | 339 | 51 | 291 | 566 | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 15 | ESE 12 | SE 8 | — | ESE 12 | — | — | — | — | — | SE 10 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | — | E 10 | S 7 | — | — | — | — |
— | 110 | 196 | 15 | — | 91 | — | — | — | — | — | 24 | 26 | 52 | — | 45 | 72 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 10 | — | — | — | W 3 | — | ESE 5 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 |
— | — | — | — | 1838 | — | — | — | — | — | 154 | — | — | — | 8 | — | 117 | 1271 | 1646 | 1503 | 1338 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 7 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 11 | 26 | 0 | 8 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 0 | 8 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 |
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.










