The Heads surfForecast / Garden Route / South Africa

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 7 pm Wednesday 04 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 1.4°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 Thursday (Feb 05) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at The Heads in the next 12 days are 1.8m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Feb 08) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Thu 5th Feb)2.5ft (0.8m) 11s
Best Surf 5AM (Tue 10th Feb)4ft (1.2m) 10s
Most Powerful11PM (Sun 8th Feb)6ft (1.8m) 10s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Some drizzle, heaviest during Thu afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Thu afternoon, min 21°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Sun morning. Warm (max 25°C on Tue morning, min 17°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
05
Friday
06
Saturday
07
Sunday
08
Monday
09
Tuesday
10
Wed
11
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
1
2
2
0
0
2
0
0
1
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.8
SW
0.8
SW
1
SW
1
SW
0.9
SW
1.1
SW
1.1
SW
1.1
SW
1.1
SW
1.5
SW
1.3
SW
1.5
SW
1.8
SSW
1.6
SSW
1.4
SSW
1.2
SSW
1.1
SSW
1
SSW
1.5
ESE
1.1
SW
1.1
SW
Period(s) (?)1111101110111110101010101011101010971111
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)171183208224170308297281276459322450590540378281221184200298254
Wind
(km/h)
5
N
15
E
10
SSW
10
WSW
10
S
15
SE
10
ESE
10
SSW
15
SW
10
WSW
15
W
0
ENE
10
WSW
20
WSW
15
SW
0
E
15
SSE
20
ESE
10
E
10
SSW
10
SSW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
glasscrossoncross-
on
oncross-
on
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
crossglasscross-
on
crosscross-
on
glasscross-
on
cross-
on
crossoncross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
5:44AM
1.83
5:52PM
1.62
6:13AM
1.73
6:21PM
1.50
6:41AM
1.60
6:48PM
1.38
7:09AM
1.45
7:17PM
1.24
7:40AM
1.30
7:53PM
1.10
8:28AM
1.16
9:27PM
0.97
11:08AM
1.07
Low Tide
/ height (m)
11:28PM
0.05
11:54AM
0.17
11:56PM
0.14
12:23PM
0.27
12:22AM
0.26
12:52PM
0.39
12:48AM
0.40
1:22PM
0.52
1:17AM
0.54
1:59PM
0.65
1:53AM
0.69
3:10PM
0.77
3:20AM
0.82
6:33PM
0.77
Thursday
05
Friday
06
Saturday
07
Sunday
08
Monday
09
Tuesday
10
Wed
11
Sunrise-5:52--5:52--5:54--5:54--5:56--5:56--5:58-
Sunset--7:30--7:29--7:28--7:27--7:25--7:25--7:24
cloud
cloud
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
--1------4422112-----
Temp. °C242730232525222625222018182022212525212626
Feels °C (?)262830252625232725232018191820232525222727
  • 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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