Strand (Pipe) Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.12° S 18.83° E

Strand (Pipe) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 23 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Strand (Pipe) sea temperature is
14.6°C
1.0° 

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


Strand (Pipe) surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 25 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 14s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 14s period, SSW swell with 1,126 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 12s period with SW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Strand (Pipe) this week:

The surf forecast for Strand (Pipe) over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 12s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Strand (Pipe) in the next 16 days are 1.7m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) 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 2.2m 8s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Sun 23rd Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 12s
Best Surf 2AM (Tue 25th Aug)5.5ft (1.7m) 14s
Most Powerful 2AM (Tue 25th Aug)5.5ft (1.7m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s chew the fat on this one.

The next 16 days at Strand (Pipe) are a bit of a mixed bag, but there are some definite windows of opportunity if you’re patient. The water is sitting at 58°, which is a bit colder than you’d expect for this time of year – a noticeable 2° chill, so don’t forget the booties if you’re heading out.

We kick off on Sunday, the 23rd of August, with a rising swell. It’s a bit uneven with the cross-shore wind, but the swell is pushing 4 ft from the SW with a period of 12 seconds, giving it a moderate energy (555). It’s not the cleanest, but the swell has some push.

The real standout for the first week hits on Wednesday, the 26th of August. The morning session is looking tasty: 5 ft of SE swell, period of 7 seconds, but the wind is offshore from the E at 15 mph. That’s clean conditions. The combined energy is moderate (690). Then, the afternoon gets even better. The swell drops to 3 ft, but it’s a long-period SSW groundswell (16 seconds) with an ESE wind at 9 mph – that’s gentle offshore and glassy. The energy is strong (1156). This is the pick of the week. The long period will make the waves look smooth and powerful, but it might break a bit straight at this beach-and-reef setup, so pick your peak.

Tuesday morning, the 25th, is also worth a mention. That 5 ft SW swell (15 seconds) with SE wind is clean, but the period is long, so again, watch for that straightening. The energy is very strong (1260).

After Wednesday, things get a bit messy with the wind switching around. Thursday and Friday have some smaller, cleaner windows, but the swell is weaker. Sunday the 30th and Monday the 31st get blown out by strong NW winds and lumpy cross-onshore conditions.

Looking into the second week, there’s a big, gnarly pulse arriving. On Wednesday, the 2nd of September, the morning shows 7 ft from the SW (12 seconds) with light wind, but the energy is very strong (1311). This is pushing into expert territory. The following days get huge – 10 ft, 16 ft, and even 12 ft by the 5th of September. The 5th of September morning has a 12 ft SSW swell (16 seconds) with light wind, but it’s onshore. This is big, powerful, and dangerous. The energy is extreme (5659). Definitely not for beginners. It might be more of a kite surfing show than a paddle-out session.

The best of the entire run is that Wednesday the 26th – the afternoon glass-off with the long-period groundswell. If you can get out then, you’ll be smiling.

Rusty out.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Tue afternoon, min 11°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Fri afternoon, min 17°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, fresh winds from the NNW by Sat morning).

Sun
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
1
4
3
1
3
3
4
3
1
2
2
2
2
0
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)
1.3
SW
12
1.2
SW
12
1.1
SW
11
1.1
SW
11
1.7
SSW
14
1.6
SW
15
1.3
SW
14
1.3
SW
13
1.5
SE
7
0.9
SSW
16
1.4
S
12
1.3
S
11
1.3
S
11
1.2
S
11
1.1
S
11
0.9
S
10
0.5
SW
14
0.7
SSE
12
0.6
SW
12
0.7
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
555
396
325
297
1126
1034
676
543
235
411
508
426
418
344
277
175
100
137
122
203
Wind (km/h)
15
S
10
SE
15
S
20
S
15
SE
15
SE
25
SE
25
ESE
25
E
15
ESE
10
NE
15
NNW
10
NW
5
S
10
SSE
10
ESE
20
N
35
NNW
35
NW
25
NNW
Wind State
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
High Tide
1:03AM1.15m
1:38PM1.20m
1:41AM1.25m
2:09PM1.32m
2:14AM1.35m
2:37PM1.44m
2:44AM1.43m
3:05PM1.53m
3:14AM1.49m
3:33PM1.61m
3:44AM1.52m
4:01PM1.65m
4:15AM1.52m
Low Tide
7:08PM0.57m
7:29AM0.42m
7:46PM0.46m
8:00AM0.31m
8:17PM0.35m
8:28AM0.21m
8:47PM0.25m
8:55AM0.14m
9:15PM0.17m
9:22AM0.09m
9:44PM0.11m
9:49AM0.06m
10:14PM0.07m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:13
7:11
7:11
7:09
7:09
7:07
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:19
6:20
6:21
6:22
6:22
6:22
6:23
 mm
1
Temp °C
16
13
17
18
13
17
21
15
17
23
19
22
25
18
24
26
23
24
22
16
Feels °C
14
11
14
15
10
14
16
11
13
21
16
19
21
16
21
23
21
17
14
12
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  • 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 Strand (Pipe) Surf forecast

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

Strand (Pipe) is 18 km (11 miles) from the city of Grabouw. If you plan a holiday in Cape Town, look for hotels and other accommodation in Grabouw. Grabouw has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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