Surf Forecasts:
Magna Tubes surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 14s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 10,735 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 13s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Magna Tubes this week:
The surf forecast for Magna Tubes over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Magna Tubes in the next 16 days are 5.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 12s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 16ft (5.0m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 18ft (5.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Magna Tubes over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Righto, let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for Magna Tubes.
We’ve got a solid stretch of south-west groundswell on the way, but this is an advanced reef break and it’s gonna be pickin’ up some serious size. The water temp is a wild 53°F – that’s a massive 13°F colder than usual for this time of year, so you’ll be wantin’ a thick steamer and some booties. The combined wave energy is strong, hittin’ 1782 on Tuesday morning, and it only builds from there.
Tuesday the 18th starts with a clean 7ft south-west swell at a nice 13-second period. Winds are light cross-off, so the face will be tidy. It’s a bit much for beginners, but for the crew that knows this reef, it’s a solid session. Tuesday afternoon jumps to 8ft with lighter wind – still clean, still good.
Wednesday the 19th is more of the same, with a clean 10ft south-west swell in the morning. That’s proper size now – only for experienced surfers. The energy is crankin’ at 2413. The afternoon gets blown out with a fresh breeze, so aim for the early.
Now, Thursday the 20th is the standout. Thursday morning delivers a pumping 13ft south-west swell, period 13 seconds, light offshore breeze, and the combined energy is a massive 5562. That’s expert territory, big, clean, powerful waves. If you’ve got the skills, this is the session to point the car at.
Friday the 21st drops back a notch with 8ft, but the wind turns onshore, so it’s gonna be a bit lumpy. Not the pick of the week.
Saturday the 22nd gets ugly – strong winds up to 28 mph and a huge, messy 18ft swell. That’s a hard pass, even for the brave.
Sunday the 23rd cleans up again with a 13ft south-west swell and moderate cross-off winds. The energy is still strong at 5508. Another one for the experienced crew only.
There’s a bit of a lull through the middle of the week, with smaller 5ft to 6ft swells. But Wednesday the 26th afternoon turns glassy – 5ft south-west swell, 13 seconds, dead calm. That’ll be a fun, clean session for the crew that can handle the reef.
Now, fast forward to Saturday the 29th of August – that’s a serious sleeper. Glassy conditions, 8ft south-west swell with a long 15-second period. Combined energy is 2326. This is a long-period groundswell, and at a reef break like Magna Tubes, that means smooth, powerful lines. It’s a top pick for the second week.
Monday the 31st also looks good – glassy morning, 8ft south-west swell, 13 seconds. Another clean one.
Into September, Tuesday the 1st is smaller and weaker, but Wednesday the 2nd has a big 12ft south-west swell with a 15-second period. The combined energy is off the charts at 5121, and it’s rated well – could be another cracker, but it’s still a long way out, so keep an eye on it.
Overall, the best on offer is Thursday morning the 20th – that 13ft clean, offshore swell is the big moment. The other standout is Saturday the 29th – glassy, long-period, and clean. Magna Tubes is a reef that doesn’t mess around, and with the water bein’ so cold, you’ll have it nearly to yourself. Crowds are only sometimes, so you’ll get plenty of waves.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, fresh winds from the WSW by Wed night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Fri morning). Winds increasing (calm on Fri night, strong winds from the WSW by Sat afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1682 | 2356 | 3165 | 2369 | 2373 | 1292 | 5538 | 4458 | 2630 | 1550 | 1234 | 494 | 1836 | 6854 | 10735 | 5508 | 3368 | 1845 | 807 | 894 | 2078 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 6:59PM1.39m | 7:09AM1.19m | 7:31PM1.24m | 7:46AM1.06m | 8:17PM1.09m | 9:08AM0.94m | 10:35PM1.00m | 12:36PM0.96m | 00:52AM1.07m | 1:40PM1.10m | 1:44AM1.20m | 2:15PM1.24m | 2:18AM1.33m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:39PM0.33m | 1:12AM0.45m | 1:09PM0.48m | 1:49AM0.58m | 1:47PM0.62m | 2:53AM0.70m | 3:08PM0.75m | 5:54AM0.72m | 6:33PM0.74m | 7:28AM0.60m | 7:41PM0.62m | 8:04AM0.46m | 8:16PM0.49m | ||||||||
6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | |
— | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 13 |
Feels °C | 14 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | E 9 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | E 8 | ENE 9 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 12 |
1682 | 2356 | 3165 | 2369 | 27 | 1292 | 5538 | 4458 | 2630 | 1550 | 1234 | 494 | 48 | 25 | 10735 | 5508 | 3368 | 1845 | 807 | 894 | 2078 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | — | E 9 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | SW 11 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 12 |
100 | 69 | 48 | 44 | — | 26 | 24 | 13 | 12 | 6 | 5 | 439 | 66 | — | — | — | — | — | 602 | 408 | 49 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SW 12 | SW 7 | — | — | — | ENE 8 | ESE 4 | W 3 | SW 11 | SW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | 2373 | 355 | — | — | — | 14 | 20 | 2 | 1836 | 6854 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 0 | 51 | 0 | 141 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 51 | 30 | 141 | 0 | 143 | 597 | 144 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape (South) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Magna Tubes Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Magna Tubes provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Magna Tubes can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Magna Tubes 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 (Magna Tubes) 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 Magna Tubes 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.
Magna Tubes is 19 km (12 miles) from the city of Kruisfontein. If you plan a holiday in Eastern Cape (South), look for hotels and other accommodation in Kruisfontein. Kruisfontein has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











