The Heads Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s happening at The Heads for the next couple of weeks. There’s some surf, but it’s a real mixed bag, so you gotta pick your moments.

First thing, the water is running a bit colder than usual for the season, about 3.1°F colder than the long-term average, sitting right at 60.1°F. You’ll want the thicker suit.

The next few days are pretty weak. Friday and Saturday have waves, but it’s marginal – swell around 4.6ft to 5.9ft out of the southwest, with light cross-onshore winds making things bumpy. The energy is moderate at best, in the 800 to 1000 range. It’s the kind of surf you check, then decide it’s not worth the paddle. Saturday afternoon does pick up a bit to 6.2ft with a bit more energy, but the wind goes onshore, so it won’t be clean.

Then Sunday hits, and it gets serious. Swell jumps to a solid 11.5ft, but it’s short-period ESE groundswell at 10 seconds. That’s a ton of water, with strong wave energy around 4200. The problem is it’s too big for this sandbar – it’s gonna be a chaotic mess. Wind is up too, 16-19 mph cross-shore, so it’s lumpy and wild. This one is strictly for the experts. Honestly, you might be better off with a kite than a board on this one.

Monday settles down to 6.9ft to 7.9ft, but it’s rainy and the wind is all over the place. Energy is moderate, but the conditions are a washout. Tuesday drops back to that underwhelming 4.9ft to 5.2ft with a short period. Not worth suiting up.

Wednesday the 16th sees a pulse – 7.2ft to 8.2ft SW groundswell on a 14-second period. That’s got proper power behind it, energy in the 1800-2600 range. But it’s raining with onshore wind, so it’ll be a battle. That longer period means better lines, but you’ll have to fight for them.

The middle of the month, from the 17th to the 19th, is back to the 4.6ft to 6.6ft range. Swell direction shifts, but the wind stays cross-shore. Energy drops to 800 to 1600. It’s rideable but forgettable.

Now, keep an eye on Sunday the 20th. The swell builds again to 9.8ft in the morning, easing to 8.2ft by the afternoon, from the SSW with a 15-second period. That’s serious groundswell with strong energy (4000+). The morning wind is light cross-shore, which could make it semi-rideable, but it’s still on the edge of being too big for the sandbar. Long-period swell on a beach break can break a bit straight, so you need to know your banks. It’s a big-wave day for the experienced.

Then we get the real standout: Monday the 21st, first thing. The wind drops to zero – absolutely glassy. The swell is a clean 5.6ft from the SSW on a 13-second period. The energy is moderate, but the conditions are perfect. Clean, glassy, and with some proper push. This is the one. The Heads is fairly consistent, and on a morning like this, it’s gonna be firing. Crowds are possible, but for a wave like that, you’ll deal with it. That’s the best session in the whole 16-day window, no doubt.

After that, it fades hard. Tuesday the 22nd is poor – small, short-period, and the wind picks up to 19 mph. Not worth it. Wednesday and Thursday are nothing special.

But don’t sleep on Thursday the 24th. There’s another pulse of SSW groundswell – 8.2ft on a 14-second period – and the morning wind is light cross-offshore, keeping it clean. The energy is strong (3000+). It’s a powerful, clean day, but again, 8.2ft is pushing it for The Heads. For experienced surfers, this is a proper go. The forecast even calls it “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” That’s a real session,

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