The Heads Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.07° S 23.06° E

The Heads Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 15 Oct 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Heads sea temperature is
16.7°C
1.3° 

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 15 Oct 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 21 Oct, 2PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 12s period, SW swell with cross-onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 21 Oct, 5PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, SW swell with 4,443 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 15 Oct, 8PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 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 Thursday (Oct 15) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 8s. 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 13s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Oct 21) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Thu 15th Oct)10ft (3.0m) 14s
Best Surf 2PM (Wed 21st Oct)13ft (4.0m) 12s
Most Powerful 5PM (Wed 21st Oct)11ft (3.5m) 13s

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


Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 24°C on Fri morning, min 15°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 26mm), heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 22°C on Wed morning, min 11°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Sun afternoon, calm by Tue night).

Thu
15
Friday
16
Saturday
17
Sunday
18
Monday
19
Tuesday
20
Wednesday
21
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
2
3
1
2
2
3
0
0
1
0
3
3
1
2
2
!
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
SW
14
2.4
SW
14
2
SW
13
1.7
SW
13
1.7
SW
12
2
SW
12
2.5
SW
13
2.4
SW
12
2.3
SW
13
3
SSW
12
2.3
SW
13
2.5
SW
12
1.7
SW
12
1.8
SW
11
1.6
SW
11
1.6
SW
11
2.1
SW
11
2.5
SW
12
3.5
SW
13
3
SW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
3835
2221
1279
911
805
1088
1939
1655
1677
2947
1764
1731
786
821
617
595
1087
1628
4443
2264
Wind (km/h)
15
E
5
ENE
10
SSW
10
SSW
5
NW
10
SW
10
S
10
SE
5
SE
30
SW
20
SW
25
WSW
15
SW
10
N
5
ESE
10
E
5
W
15
SW
10
WSW
5
NE
Wind State
cross
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
off
glassy
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
High Tide
5:40PM1.46m
6:02AM1.34m
6:10PM1.31m
6:39AM1.21m
6:47PM1.17m
7:46AM1.09m
8:11PM1.05m
10:35AM1.07m
11:09PM1.06m
12:04PM1.21m
00:20AM1.19m
12:46PM1.37m
1:02AM1.33m
Low Tide
11:51PM0.42m
12:00PM0.54m
00:25AM0.55m
12:39PM0.68m
1:16AM0.67m
1:56PM0.80m
3:12AM0.75m
4:57PM0.81m
5:24AM0.69m
6:21PM0.67m
6:23AM0.56m
7:01PM0.51m
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
mod rain
part cloud
light rain
heavy rain
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
—
—
5:45
—
—
5:43
—
—
5:43
—
—
5:41
—
—
5:39
—
—
5:39
—
—
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:39
—
—
6:40
—
—
6:42
—
—
6:43
—
—
6:44
—
—
6:45
—
—
6:45
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 mm
—
—
—
—
—
—
1
7
—
2
20
4
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Temp °C
21
17
24
23
18
19
17
15
17
15
13
15
16
14
19
20
15
22
20
18
Feels °C
19
16
23
22
18
19
16
14
18
12
10
10
11
13
17
17
14
19
17
19
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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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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