Surf Forecasts:
Strand (Pipe) surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 14s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, SSW swell with 2,227 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 14s period with SSW 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 20) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 14s 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 2.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Strand (Pipe) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, surfers, let's get into it. This is a bit of a slow burn, but there’s definitely some good stuff brewing if you're willing to wait for it. The first half of the window is a mixed bag—some clean, rideable waves, but nothing that’s going to have you cancelling plans. The real standout, the one that’s worth circling on the calendar, is the last day of the period. Let’s break it down.
We’re looking at Strand (Pipe). This is a beach-and-reef set-up that’s exposed to the swell. Water temps are sitting right around where they should be for this time of year, nothing unusual to report there.
The first real action kicks off on Thursday, August 20th. The morning session is the pick of the early days, with a solid 8ft SSW swell rolling in at a 13 second interval. The combined energy is right up there (1949), and we’ve got a light cross-offshore breeze. The waves are going to have some punch, and the wind is keeping things clean. That’s a good session for experienced surfers.
Friday the 21st is a step down in size, but still worth a paddle. The morning shows a 5ft SSW swell, period dropping to 11 seconds, and the energy is moderate (935). The wind is light and cross-off, so you’ll find clean, well-shaped little runners. The afternoon gets a bit sloppy with a cross-shore wind.
After Friday, we hit a real lull. Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd are pretty much write-offs – the wind is onshore or cross-onshore, and the swell is small and weak. You’ll see a bit of energy come back Monday the 24th, but the waves are small and the wind is moderate. Not really worth the drive.
Now, things start to get interesting again on Tuesday, August 25th. The morning has a 4ft SSW swell, period at 13 seconds, and a clean offshore breeze. The energy is moderate (830), and the conditions are described as “very good.” The afternoon is similar, just a touch smaller. That’s a solid day.
Wednesday the 26th is a nice one if you’re after a glassy session. The morning is clean, but the afternoon goes completely glassy with a 3ft S swell. It’s small, but if you’ve got a longboard or a fish, you’ll be having a ball.
We get another small window of clean offshore wind on Friday, August 28th, with a 4ft SW swell. The energy is moderate (691) and the wind is moderate offshore, so it’s clean but a bit blustery.
The real gem, the one that’s got me excited, is Monday, September 1st. The morning is looking at a 7ft SW swell, with a 13-second period and an incredible 1598 combined energy. The wind is glassy – dead calm. That is a recipe for a proper session. The waves will be solid, powerful, and clean. This is expert-level territory, but for those who are up for it, it’s the best day on offer. The afternoon drops a little but still has some size.
After that, the week turns to junk. Strong winds from the north and poor conditions take over, so it’s a good time to wait for the next swell.
So, to sum it up: the standouts are Thursday morning the 20th and Monday morning September 1st. That Monday is the real prize.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | ||||||||||||||
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 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 14 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
1066 | 1949 | 1320 | 722 | 534 | 317 | 379 | 286 | 298 | 594 | 555 | 481 | 396 | 268 | 362 | 784 | 618 | 473 | 464 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 8:02AM1.00m | 8:28PM1.05m | 9:45AM0.92m | 10:24PM0.99m | 11:56AM0.97m | 00:08AM1.05m | 1:00PM1.08m | 1:03AM1.15m | 1:38PM1.20m | 1:41AM1.25m | 2:09PM1.32m | 2:14AM1.35m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:52AM0.55m | 1:53PM0.63m | 3:15AM0.64m | 3:47PM0.72m | 5:34AM0.63m | 6:08PM0.67m | 6:48AM0.53m | 7:08PM0.57m | 7:29AM0.42m | 7:46PM0.46m | 8:00AM0.31m | 8:17PM0.35m | |||||||
— | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | |
6:16 | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:19 | — | — | 6:19 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:21 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 21 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 14 | 19 | 25 | 23 |
Feels °C | 13 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 20 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 15 | 22 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
1066 | 1949 | 1320 | 722 | 534 | 317 | 379 | 286 | 298 | 594 | 555 | 481 | 396 | 268 | 229 | 784 | 618 | 473 | 464 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | SW 17 | SW 14 | — | — | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 10 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SE 6 |
— | — | — | — | 401 | 310 | 291 | 198 | 12 | 102 | — | — | 52 | 115 | 163 | 80 | 212 | 123 | 45 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 14 | — | — | SSW 12 | — | — | — | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 145 | — | — | 193 | — | — | — | 178 | 362 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | ESE 3 | ESE 4 | SSE 5 | — | — | NNW 3 | — | — | S 4 | SSE 4 | SE 4 | SSE 4 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 6 | ESE 6 |
— | — | — | 6 | 33 | 32 | — | — | 4 | — | — | 10 | 12 | 15 | 41 | 45 | 49 | 88 | 200 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 25 | 0 | 10 | 41 | 0 | 25 | 41 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Town | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.











