Surf Forecasts:
The Heads surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 12 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 18s period, SSW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 18s period, SSW swell with 2,519 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 18s 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 Wednesday (Aug 12) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 1.6m and 18s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 11s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at The Heads in the next 16 days are 2.0m 18s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 15) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Wed 12th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Wed 12th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's coming our way for The Heads over the next couple of weeks.
We're looking at a pretty drawn-out run of surf, but honestly, it's a bit of a mixed bag. The wait for anything truly classic is a real test of patience. The water's sitting at 61.2°, which is a touch colder than we'd expect for this time of year, so you'll want that spring suit on.
The pick of the whole period, the one that's got me excited, is Thursday the 14th of August. The morning kicks off with a clean 4.6ft SW swell, light offshore winds from the NNE, and the energy is solid. It's going to be clean. Then the afternoon gets even better – glassy conditions with a light northerly breeze, and the swell pushes up to 4.3ft of SW groundswell, with a very long 15-second period. The energy is moderate, but that long period means the sets will be powerful and well-shaped. This is the session to plan for.
The following Saturday, the 22nd of August, also looks like a real standout. Saturday morning serves up glassy conditions with a 6.2ft SW swell. The period is a solid 13 seconds, and the energy is strong. This is a big, clean swell for experienced surfers, and with those calm winds, it's going to be a treat. The morning is the window for that one.
The rest of the run is a lot of "maybe" and "if." We've got a solid 4.9-6.2ft of SW swell on Wednesday the 12th, but it's marred by a messy cross-shore wind. Wednesday the 19th sees a 7.9ft SW swell on the afternoon, with glassy onshore winds, but the period is a short 8 seconds, so it'll be a lumpy, close-out mess for the experts only. The following week has a few clean windows, like the 23rd of August morning with a 7.2ft SW groundswell and offshore winds, but the energy is high and it's a lot of wave. Overall, it's a period where you have to be patient and pick your window. The 14th and the 22nd are the clear winners.
So, keep your eyes on the forecasts, and I'll see you in the water for that Thursday glass-off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Wed morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the E on Wed afternoon, calm by Fri afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sat night, min 14°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 19 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1748 | 1877 | 1796 | 1694 | 2238 | 1330 | 954 | 777 | 598 | 471 | 465 | 311 | 412 | 437 | 704 | 919 | 1083 | 1014 | 721 | 590 | 403 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 3:41PM1.84m | 3:55AM1.80m | 4:18PM1.92m | 4:31AM1.80m | 4:52PM1.93m | 5:05AM1.75m | 5:26PM1.88m | 5:37AM1.66m | 5:57PM1.78m | 6:08AM1.54m | 6:27PM1.64m | 6:38AM1.41m | 6:58PM1.48m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:30AM0.03m | 9:53PM0.06m | 10:05AM-0.03m | 10:31PM0.03m | 10:39AM-0.04m | 11:06PM0.05m | 11:10AM0.01m | 11:38PM0.12m | 11:40AM0.10m | 00:10AM0.22m | 12:09PM0.23m | 00:40AM0.35m | 12:38PM0.38m | 1:11AM0.49m | |||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | |  | |  | | | | | | | | |
 | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — |
 | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 19 | 15 | 22 | 26 | 23 | 25 | 28 | 22 | 20 | 23 | 25 | 23 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 15 |
Feels °C | 13 | 13 | 10 | 18 | 23 | 19 | 22 | 25 | 21 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | ESE 9 | SW 17 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ESE 9 | SW 14 | SW 14 | E 8 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 1748 | 1877 | 1796 | 662 | 2238 | 600 | 412 | 297 | 222 | 471 | 465 | 171 | 412 | 437 | 704 | 919 | 1083 | 1014 | 721 | 590 | 403 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SSW 19 | ESE 9 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | E 8 | WSW 5 | SW 13 | E 10 | E 11 | E 8 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 |
| kJ | 211 | 172 | 38 | 1694 | 518 | 1330 | 954 | 777 | 598 | 173 | 2 | 311 | 90 | 110 | 92 | 149 | 110 | 102 | 56 | 85 | 57 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SW 16 | S 9 | — | — | — | — | WSW 6 | S 12 | SW 6 | S 11 | WSW 4 | E 11 | SW 6 | — | — | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 |
| kJ | 31 | 32 | 18 | 886 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 13 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 18 | 39 | 26 | — | — | 79 | 50 | 31 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | — | — | — | — | — | E 8 | N 3 | W 3 | — | WSW 5 | — | — | — | — | WSW 3 | WSW 7 |
| kJ | 549 | 1351 | 1126 | 985 | 683 | — | — | — | — | — | 205 | 2 | 7 | — | 30 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 222 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 26 | 26 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Garden Route | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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