The Heads surfForecast / Garden Route / South Africa

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 1 am Monday 16 Feb 2026 SAST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
The Heads surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's The Heads sea temperature is
23.5° C
(Which is 1.8°C warmer than normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for The Heads this week:

The surf forecast for The Heads over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Feb 16) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 20s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at The Heads in the next 12 days are 2.2m 15s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Feb 18) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Mon 16th Feb)6.5ft (2.0m) 8s
Best Surf11PM (Mon 16th Feb)8ft (2.5m) 8s
Most Powerful 2AM (Wed 18th Feb)7ft (2.2m) 15s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Heads over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Mon afternoon, min 21°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 28°C on Thu morning, min 19°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
16
Tuesday
17
Wednesday
18
Thursday
19
Friday
20
Saturday
21
Sunday
22
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
4
2
3
4
3
1
4
3
3
4
0
1
1
0
0
2
3
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.3
SSW
1.3
SSW
2.2
ESE
1.3
SSW
1.9
SSW
2.2
SW
2
SW
1.8
SW
1.8
SW
1.6
SW
1.8
SW
1.8
SW
1.6
SW
1.4
SW
1.3
SW
1.3
SSW
1.2
SSW
1.3
SSW
1.6
S
1.8
S
2.5
SE
Period(s) (?)121291615151413131313121212111199988
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)472414741904163421481581117910679191034971689551389382232289421450868
Wind
(km/h)
10
ESE
20
E
5
NNW
15
W
5
WSW
5
NNE
10
S
10
SE
10
NE
5
SSW
5
S
5
W
15
SW
10
SW
10
W
15
SW
10
SSW
5
N
5
WSW
10
ESE
5
E
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crosscrossglasscrosscross-
on
glassoncross-
on
cross-
off
ononglasscross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
onoffglasscross-
on
cross
High Tide
/ height (m)
3:29PM
1.69
3:50AM
1.78
3:58PM
1.77
4:18AM
1.88
4:27PM
1.80
4:47AM
1.93
4:58PM
1.79
5:17AM
1.93
5:29PM
1.74
5:49AM
1.88
6:03PM
1.64
6:23AM
1.76
6:39PM
1.51
Low Tide
/ height (m)
9:28AM
0.23
9:39PM
0.08
9:57AM
0.12
10:06PM
-0.00
10:26AM
0.05
10:34PM
-0.04
10:57AM
0.02
11:02PM
-0.03
11:28AM
0.04
11:33PM
0.03
12:02PM
0.11
12:05AM
0.13
12:38PM
0.23
12:41AM
0.27
Monday
16
Tuesday
17
Wednesday
18
Thursday
19
Friday
20
Saturday
21
Sunday
22
Sunrise6:03--6:03--6:03--6:05--6:05--6:07--6:07--
Sunset-7:19--7:17--7:16--7:15--7:15--7:14--7:13-
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
mod rain
thunderstorm
Rain (mm)
-----------------2373
Temp. °C272926272524272724282824252421232320192020
Feels °C (?)262726262426272725282826262423232222212221
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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 12 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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