Surf Forecasts:
Strand (Pipe) surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 15s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 14s period, SW swell with 1,203 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 11s 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 Saturday (Aug 22) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 15s. The wind is predicted to be glassy 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 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Strand (Pipe) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Nikki, Rusty here. Let’s break down this forecast window for Strand. It’s a mixed bag at the start, but there’s a serious pulse of energy coming through in the second week that gets the blood pumping.
First thing you’ll notice is the water temp is sitting at 58°, which is about a degree and a half colder than we’d normally expect for this time of year. It’s a bit chilly, so don’t forget the good rubber.
The swell kicks off Saturday the 22nd with a 4ft SSW swell, but the wind is a cross-on from the NNW, making it choppy. The energy is moderate at 514, but it’s just not clean enough to get excited about. Sunday the 23rd is a little better with a 4ft SW swell, but it’s cross-shore all day, so it’s still a bit messy. Through Monday, we’re stuck in the same pattern – waist-high, cross-shore winds, and marginal conditions.
Tuesday the 25th is the first real tease. The swell bumps up to 5ft from the SW with a 14-second period, and the wind turns cross-offshore from the SE. The energy jumps to 1064, but the quality is still only marginal. It’s a solid intermediate wave, but not quite showing its full potential.
Then Wednesday the 26th – that’s where it gets good for a short window. The wind goes offshore from the E and ESE, and the swell is a clean 4ft from the SSW. The energy is solid (586 and 952), and the surf is described as “very good.” It’s not huge, but it’s clean, lined up, and has that long-period push at 11-12 seconds. If you’ve got a log or a fish, Wednesday morning and afternoon are the pick of the first week.
We go through a bit of a flat, windy spell from Thursday the 27th through Monday the 31st. Saturday the 29th sees a 30 km/h NNW wind and a 5ft swell that’s a total mess – honestly, that setup looks more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer. Sunday the 30th has a 7ft SW swell, but it’s cross-on and choppy.
Now, here’s the real standout. Tuesday, September 1st. Look at this. The swell is 6ft from the SSW, with a 15-second period, and the wind is light and cross-offshore from the SE. The energy is 1235 to 1267 – strong, consistent, and clean. The report says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” This is the one. It’s gonna be a proper groundswell, so the point and reef setups will be firing. Strand is a beach and reef break, so that long period might make it a bit wonky on the beach, but the reef sections will be holding that energy perfectly. Expect a few bodies out there – it’s “sometimes” crowded, so you’ll have company, but not a zoo.
Wednesday the 2nd is also a special morning. Glassy conditions, 5ft SW swell, 13-second period, and a calm wind. The energy is 1071. It’s a classic morning session, though the afternoon gets a bit wild with a 10ft swell that’s only for the brave.
After that, the wind turns onshore again from the 3rd onwards, and the swell stays big but messy. The 7ft waves on Friday the 4th are cross-on and choppy – not worth the paddle.
So, to wrap it up: you’ve got a clean little window on Wednesday the 26th, but the absolute best on offer is Tuesday, September 1st through Wednesday morning, September 2nd. That’s your window for clean, powerful, long-period groundswell with light offshore winds. It’s promising, but it’s a week and a half out, so keep an eye on the forecast. Don’t sleep on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
291 | 309 | 533 | 581 | 563 | 448 | 331 | 254 | 881 | 1064 | 596 | 458 | 290 | 324 | 343 | 342 | 351 | 229 | 231 | 251 | 248 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:56AM0.97m | 00:08AM1.05m | 1:00PM1.08m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:08PM0.67m | 6:48AM0.53m | 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 | ||||||||
7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | |
— | 6:19 | — | — | 6:19 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:21 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 18 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 20 | 14 | 18 | 24 | 20 | 24 | 26 | 21 | 26 | 29 | 27 |
Feels °C | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 16 | 10 | 15 | 22 | 18 | 22 | 25 | 21 | 25 | 28 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 |
291 | 309 | 533 | 581 | 563 | 448 | 331 | 254 | 881 | 1064 | 596 | 458 | 290 | 324 | 343 | 342 | 351 | 229 | 231 | 181 | 166 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 10 | WSW 16 | SW 14 | — | — | — | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SW 9 | — | SSW 15 | SSW 12 | SSE 8 | S 16 | SE 7 | SW 12 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
222 | 27 | 102 | — | — | — | 68 | 111 | 84 | — | 130 | 353 | 77 | 122 | 82 | 35 | 103 | 136 | 97 | 251 | 248 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SSW 12 | — | — | — | — | SSW 14 | — | — | — | SSW 16 | S 16 | SSW 15 | S 15 | S 15 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | S 13 | SE 7 |
— | — | 184 | — | — | — | — | 250 | — | — | — | 457 | 131 | 237 | 69 | 68 | 10 | 57 | 66 | 90 | 12 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 2 | NW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 4 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SSE 5 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | — | WNW 4 | — | ESE 4 | — | NNW 4 |
1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 19 | 35 | 29 | 130 | 237 | 88 | 269 | 429 | — | 13 | — | 18 | — | 28 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 5 | 16 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 25 | 25 | 0 | 6 | 47 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
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.











