Pipe Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.92° S 25.62° E

Pipe Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 03 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Pipe sea temperature is
17.1° C
2.1° 

Pipe surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Pipe surf forecast from 3 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 6 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 15s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 13s period, SSW swell with 2,165 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 4 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s period with ESE swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Pipe this week:

The surf forecast for Pipe over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Pipe in the next 16 days are 2.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 09) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Tue 4th Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 10s
Best Surf 2AM (Thu 6th Aug)4.5ft (1.4m) 15s
Most Powerful 8PM (Sun 9th Aug)8ft (2.5m) 13s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s shaping up. We're looking at a classic North Shore set-up, and honestly, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. The main event is Pipe, a world-class reef that’s inconsistent but when it turns on, there’s nowhere else you’d rather be. Water temp is sitting at 63°F, which is a solid 4°F colder than usual for this time of year, so you’ll want a good 4/3.

The week starts off Monday the 3rd with a bit of a whimper. We’ve got some ESE swell rolling in, around 6ft, but the cross-shore wind and a score that’s just not there means the morning is only for the keen. By the afternoon, the wind turns onshore and it’s flat out poor. Tuesday and Wednesday are much the same story – small, ordinary waves at best with cross-shore winds.

Thursday the 6th is where we start to see a flicker. Morning brings a clean bump in the water with a solid 6ft SSW groundswell. The period is a nice and punchy 14 seconds, and with a light cross-offshore breeze from the SSW, Pipe will have some proper shape. The combined energy is solid at 1212, so you can feel the push. Friday morning the 7th is very similar – clean 5ft SSW swell, great period of 15 seconds, and light winds. That’s a good window. Saturday the 8th morning stays clean and fun with 5ft SSW swell, though the afternoon gets blown out by a strong 19 mph SW wind.

We hit a rough patch from Sunday the 9th through Tuesday the 11th. Even though there’s some size – 6ft to 7ft – the southerly winds are strong and messy, making it a complete write-off for a clean ride. You’d be fighting chop and lump, not surfing.

After a couple of so-so days mid-week, look at Thursday the 13th. That’s a sneaky good morning. We get a very long period 17-second SSW groundswell at 4ft. The combined energy is still high (1108) for the size because of that period. That kind of long-period swell will wrap into Pipe beautifully, offering long, lined-up walls, but it might be a bit straight at other spots. Winds are light and offshore, so the surface will be like glass. Friday the 14th afternoon also cleans up with 6ft SSW swell under a good cross-off breeze.

Now, the standout. If you can wait, Saturday the 15th morning is your best bet of the whole outlook. We’re looking at 7ft of clean, powerful SSW groundswell with a 15-second period. The combined energy is massive at 2034. Winds are light and offshore from the SW, making for pristine conditions. At 7ft, this is getting into expert territory at Pipe – it’s a heavy, shallow reef, and that’s when it shows its true face. This will not be a beginner’s wave. The crowds at Pipe are always possible, and on a day like this, you can bet the lineup will be thick. But for those who can handle it, this is the session.

The swell slowly winds down over the next few days, but Sunday the 16th morning still offers clean 5ft waves. After that, we’re back to onshore chop and poor quality through to Tuesday the 18th.

For now, get your board ready. The second half of next week looks promising, and that Saturday is one to circle on the calendar.

- Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Tue afternoon, min 15°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Thu morning, fresh winds from the SW by Sat afternoon).

Monday
3
Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
2
1
0
2
0
2
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.8
ESE
11
1.7
ESE
11
1.6
ESE
10
1.5
ESE
10
1.3
ESE
10
1.3
ESE
10
1.2
E
10
1
SSW
16
1.4
SSW
15
1.7
SSW
14
2
SSW
13
1.6
SSW
13
1.6
SSW
15
1.7
SSW
15
2
SSW
15
1.6
SSW
14
1.4
SSW
14
1.6
SSW
13
1.9
SSW
14
2.1
SSW
13
1.3
SSW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
757
643
492
407
335
342
267
554
845
1099
1405
835
1038
1161
1822
1047
765
915
1342
1475
480
Wind (km/h)
10
N
15
E
10
N
10
N
10
NE
10
WNW
15
NNW
10
SE
20
W
10
SSW
25
SW
20
WSW
10
SW
10
E
15
NE
15
NNW
30
SW
25
WSW
30
S
30
S
25
SSE
Wind State
cross
on
cross
cross
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross
cross
cross
High Tide
6:36PM1.77m
6:47AM1.59m
7:15PM1.70m
7:31AM1.48m
8:04PM1.60m
8:28AM1.37m
9:12PM1.49m
9:57AM1.28m
10:47PM1.44m
11:49AM1.30m
00:24AM1.48m
1:15PM1.44m
1:36AM1.59m
Low Tide
12:12PM0.33m
00:42AM0.45m
12:47PM0.41m
1:24AM0.54m
1:28PM0.52m
2:17AM0.64m
2:23PM0.65m
3:36AM0.73m
3:50PM0.76m
5:33AM0.73m
5:57PM0.75m
7:06AM0.62m
7:26PM0.64m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
mod rain
mod rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:07
7:07
7:07
7:05
7:05
7:03
7:03
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:38
5:38
5:39
5:40
5:40
5:42
5:43
 mm
5
7
10
Temp °C
21
24
21
25
29
25
26
29
17
18
18
16
15
16
15
19
21
15
16
12
13
Feels °C
18
20
16
21
25
22
22
25
13
18
15
13
13
15
13
16
17
10
13
5
7
  • 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 Pipe Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Pipe provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Pipe can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Pipe 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 (Pipe) 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 Pipe 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.

Pipe is 6 km (4 miles) from the city of Port Elizabeth. If you plan a holiday in Eastern Cape (South), look for hotels and other accommodation in Port Elizabeth. Port Elizabeth has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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