Today's The Heads sea temperature is 17.2 °C
(Slightly cooler than normal)
| Mean: | 17.9 °C | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Range: | 16.7 °C to 19.1 °C | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Statistics for 20 Jun (1981–2005) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Today, many surfers would wear a spring wetsuit.
Sunny with pleasantly warm air temperatures (feeling like 21 °C once we account for wind), yet at 17 °C the sea remains several degrees colder than the air at The Heads. The majority of surfers will need a spring wetsuit though a summer suit or even a shorty may suffice for a short session.
 Map of current South Africa Surface Water Temperatures (based on measurements from oceanographic satellites) |  Map of current South Africa Sea Water Temperature Anomalies (compared with long term averages at this time of year) |
click thumbnails to expand
Below is a graph of Historical Sea Surface Temperature for The Heads. This has been derived from analysis of two decades of oceanographic satellite measurements of nearby open water. We have calculated the average water temperature variation around the year as well as the extremes that have been observed on each date.
All of the graphs for the surf breaks presented on Surf-Forecast.com are on the same scale to enable comparison between locations around the world.
The Heads water temperatures peak in the range 21 to 24°C (70 to 75°F) on around the 1st of February and are at their coldest on about the 31st of July, in the range 16 to 18°C (61 to 64°F). The Heads water temperatures are always warm reach their warmest at the beginning of February. You'll need a 2mm neoprene top or a shorty at dawn/dusk or if it's windy. The coldest seasonal water temperatures at The Heads at the end of July lend themselves to a 4/3mm wetsuit or a 3/2mm suit and 3mm neoprene boots.
Actual sea surface water temperatures close to shore at The Heads can vary by several degrees compared with these open water averages. This is especially true after heavy rain, close to river mouths or after long periods of strong offshore winds. Offshore winds cause colder deep water to replace surface water that has been warmed by the sun. Air temperature, wind-chill and sunshine should also be considered before deciding on the kind of wetsuit needed to stay warm when surfing at The Heads. Refer to our detailed weather forecasts for this information.
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