Surf Forecasts:
Strand (Pipe) surf forecast from 27 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 2 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 2,846 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 12s period with S 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 Thursday (Aug 27) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 15s. 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 2.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Strand (Pipe) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here with the look ahead for our local stretch.
We’re in a bit of a flat spell to kick things off, with only small, marginal waves on offer for the first few days. The energy is just not there. Thursday the 27th through the weekend is a waiting game. The water temperature is running about average for this time of year, so nothing unusual there.
The first real glimmer of hope comes on Sunday the 30th morning. We’ll see a 5ft swell from the SW, with a 13-second period, and light cross-shore winds. The combined energy is moderate (732). It’s still rated as marginal, but it’s the best of a poor run.
Things take a turn for the worse on Monday and Tuesday, with onshore winds and building swell that creates choppy, lumpy conditions. By Tuesday the 1st of September, the swell is 7ft from the SW but with a fresh cross-onshore wind, making it a mess.
Now, here’s the standout. Mark your calendars for Wednesday the 2nd of September. The swell is pumping at 8ft from the SW, with a 14-second period, and we’ve got light cross-offshore winds from the SSE. The combined energy is strong (2390). This is a big, powerful groundswell. For you experienced surfers, this is your window. The period is long, so it’ll be well-shaped, but it’s pushing into expert-level size. The wind is cleaning it up nicely. This is the best on offer for the whole forecast.
The swell hangs around for a few days, but the wind goes ballistic. Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th are blown out by near-gale force SSE winds, making it a no-go for surfing but possibly interesting for kitesurfers.
Then, a real surprise. Saturday the 5th of September morning. Glassy conditions. The wind is barely a whisper from the WSW. The swell is still a solid 12ft from the SSE, but with a short 9-second period, which means it’ll be a bit crumbly and less powerful. Still, you don’t get glassy conditions on a 12ft swell very often. The energy is very strong (2019). Only for the experienced crew.
After that, the swell drops back through the second week, with a mix of onshore winds and fading energy, and by the 11th, we’re back to small, weak leftovers.
So, the pick: Wednesday the 2nd of September morning at Strand (Pipe). Big SW groundswell, clean cross-offshore wind, strong energy. It’s the one.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Thu morning, min 14°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 9°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun night, fresh winds from the NW by Tue afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 8 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 464 | 433 | 433 | 344 | 229 | 155 | 134 | 186 | 162 | 445 | 721 | 634 | 349 | 298 | 263 | 669 | 951 | 1395 | 2368 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | glassy | cross-on | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 2:44AM1.43m | 3:05PM1.53m | 3:14AM1.49m | 3:33PM1.61m | 3:44AM1.52m | 4:01PM1.65m | 4:15AM1.52m | 4:31PM1.65m | 4:47AM1.49m | 5:02PM1.62m | 5:21AM1.43m | 5:37PM1.54m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:47PM0.25m | 8:55AM0.14m | 9:15PM0.17m | 9:22AM0.09m | 9:44PM0.11m | 9:49AM0.06m | 10:14PM0.07m | 10:18AM0.07m | 10:44PM0.08m | 10:48AM0.11m | 11:18PM0.12m | 11:21AM0.18m | 11:54PM0.19m | ||||||
 |  | |  |  | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — |
 | 6:22 | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:23 | — | — | 6:23 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:25 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 25 | 25 | 17 | 21 | 23 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 14 |
Feels °C | 20 | 23 | 23 | 18 | 19 | 22 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 8 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 |
| kJ | 464 | 433 | 433 | 344 | 229 | 138 | 98 | 186 | 162 | 182 | 721 | 634 | 349 | 298 | 263 | 669 | 951 | 1395 | 2368 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | WSW 12 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | S 11 | SW 10 | SW 13 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | S 8 | S 7 | SSW 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | — | — |
| kJ | 157 | 54 | 11 | 35 | 65 | 155 | 134 | 119 | 77 | 215 | 11 | 10 | 80 | 52 | 35 | 2 | 3 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 12 | S 15 | WSW 11 | SE 9 | SW 13 | SSE 14 | S 13 | SSE 13 | S 11 | SSE 11 | — | — | SSE 10 | S 10 | S 10 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 210 | 68 | 183 | 62 | 28 | 62 | 84 | 68 | 61 | 23 | — | — | 11 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 3 | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 3 | SW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 3 | NW 4 | NW 3 |
| kJ | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 445 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 9 | 7 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 5 | 25 | 0 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 25 | 135 | 25 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 33 | 27 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Town | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||
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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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