Surf Forecasts:
Strand (Pipe) surf forecast from 30 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 13s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 14s period, SSW swell with 2,094 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 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 30) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 11s. 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 2.4m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 06) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Tue 1st Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 8ft (2.4m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Strand (Pipe) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, cobber, Rusty here. Let’s break down the Strand for the next couple of weeks. Water temp is around 59°F, pretty normal for this time.
We kick off slow. Sunday the 30th sees some clean 5ft SW groundswell with a 12-second period, and a moderate cross-off breeze from the SE keeping things tidy. Combined energy is moderate at 741 – it’s surfable, but nothing to write home about.
Monday the 31st drops back to 4ft SW swell with a shorter 11-second period, wind goes cross-shore and it gets a bit bumpy. Tuesday the 1st of September picks up with a solid 6ft to 7ft SSW groundswell, long-period at 13-14 seconds. Combined energy jumps to 1310 and 1697 – that’s serious power. But the wind stays cross or light cross-on, so it’s messy. Experienced surfers only.
Now Wednesday the 2nd is the one. Morning has 6ft SW swell at 14 seconds, combined energy 1338, and a light cross-off breeze from the SSE – glassy clean. The wave comment says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” That’s the standout session of the first week.
Thursday the 3rd gets weird. A tiny 3ft SW swell in the morning, then the afternoon brings a short-period 7ft S swell at just 8 seconds – wind-cramped junk. Combined energy only 732, and a fresh breeze. Friday and Saturday the 4th and 5th are windy and small; not worth your time.
We hit a quiet stretch from Sunday the 6th through Thursday the 11th. Swell stays under 4ft most days, winds are cross or onshore. Sunday the 6th morning is glassy with a clean 4ft SW swell (605 combined energy) – tiny but fun if you’re desperate.
Saturday the 12th of September is the second standout. Morning delivers 5ft SW groundswell at 13 seconds, combined energy 860, and a clean offshore wind from the east. “Expect very good surf conditions.” That’s your Saturday target.
After that, the second week fades. Sunday the 13th has onshore wind messing up a 4ft swell. Monday the 14th brings a big, raw 6ft to 7ft SW groundswell with 15-16 second periods – combined energy 1729 to 2295! But the wind is onshore or cross, so it’ll be a crumbly mess on this beach-and-reef setup. Better for the kite crew.
Bottom line: Wednesday the 2nd morning and Saturday the 12th morning are your best calls. Everything else is either too small, too windy, or just raw power without the clean face.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun afternoon, min 9°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Thu morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the ENE on Wed night, strong winds from the SE by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | |||||||||||||||
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 12 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | S 8 | S 8 | SW 12 | SSE 8 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
730 | 722 | 389 | 380 | 354 | 683 | 1310 | 1697 | 2008 | 1338 | 1099 | 803 | 252 | 583 | 298 | 211 | 257 | 153 | 82 | 277 | 732 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off |
High Tide | 4:31PM1.65m | 4:47AM1.49m | 5:02PM1.62m | 5:21AM1.43m | 5:37PM1.54m | 6:00AM1.33m | 6:17PM1.43m | 6:46AM1.21m | 7:09PM1.29m | 7:53AM1.09m | 8:29PM1.16m | 9:45AM1.04m | 10:28PM1.13m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:18AM0.07m | 10:44PM0.08m | 10:48AM0.11m | 11:18PM0.12m | 11:21AM0.18m | 11:54PM0.19m | 11:58AM0.28m | 00:38AM0.30m | 12:45PM0.40m | 1:37AM0.43m | 1:53PM0.54m | 3:13AM0.52m | 3:57PM0.60m | ||||||||
7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | |
— | 6:23 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 16 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 18 | 19 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 18 | 21 | 15 |
Feels °C | 9 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 8 | 12 | 14 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | S 8 | S 8 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
730 | 722 | 389 | 380 | 354 | 683 | 1310 | 1697 | 2008 | 1338 | 1099 | 803 | 252 | 149 | 298 | 187 | 171 | 153 | 82 | 277 | 732 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | S 11 | S 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 8 | S 13 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | — |
11 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 112 | 164 | 116 | 31 | 82 | 86 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 12 | — | SSW 13 | S 19 | SW 10 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 202 | — | 34 | 7 | 25 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 10 | S 6 | S 8 | — | SE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 5 | SE 6 | SE 6 |
— | — | 61 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 294 | 233 | 583 | — | 211 | 257 | 107 | 49 | 123 | 85 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 25 | 302 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 25 | 282 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 5 | 0 | 419 | 900 | 1201 | 2981 | 44 | 176 | 41 | 0 |
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.











