
Surf Forecasts:
Strand (Pipe) surf forecast from 8 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 9 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 14s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 9 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 15s period, SSW swell with 1,993 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 9 Jul, 8AM (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 (Jul 09) at 8AM. 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 2.2m 15s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 09) 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 1.7m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 11) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Thu 9th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Thu 9th Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Thu 9th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Strand (Pipe) over the next 16 days.
Alright, let’s get into it. For the next few weeks, the surf here at Strand is a bit of a mixed bag. It has its moments, but also some serious gaps where you really shouldn't bother. Let's break it down.
We start off on Wednesday, July 8th, with some decent energy rolling in. The water temp is sitting at 60°F, which is about average for the time of year, nothing crazy. Wednesday morning looks magic – glassy conditions with a clean 5ft SW swell. The combined energy is moderate at 948, and with zero wind, it'll be smooth and inviting. This is a nice, friendly wave for intermediates. The afternoon sees things pick up to 6ft but the wind swings cross-off from the SSE at 12 mph, which keeps it clean but a bit more challenging.
Thursday July 9th morning brings a bigger 7ft SSW swell with a 14-second period. That's a solid groundswell, and with 1605 combined energy, you can feel the push. Wind is cross-off from the SE at 9 mph, so it’s clean, but at this size, it's really for experienced surfers only. The period means longer sets and better shape. Thursday afternoon drops slightly to 7ft but the wind picks up a touch. Friday July 10th stays around 7ft in the morning, but it’s a bit cloudy with cross-off wind. Still rideable for the experienced crew.
Now, Saturday July 11th, morning is a standout. You’ve got a 6ft S swell, offshore wind from the East at only 6 mph, and clean conditions. The combined energy is 1066, so it has some grunt. This is shaping up to be one of the best sessions of the window – good size, clean, and not too crowded as crowds are only “sometimes” an issue. Sunday July 12th morning is glassy again with a smaller 4ft S swell, perfect for a relaxed session.
Then we hit a dry spell. From Monday July 13th through to Sunday July 19th morning, there are long gaps with nothing worth recommending. Monday and Tuesday are tiny and windy. Wednesday July 15th through Thursday July 16th have a bit of size but the wind is all over the place – cross, cross-on, and strong. It’s messy, lumpy, and just not enjoyable for paddling. From Friday July 17th through Sunday July 19th, there are some signs of life, but it’s mostly marginal with clean but weaker swells (3ft to 6ft). The best of that stretch is Sunday July 19th – glassy conditions all day with a 4ft S to S swell, combined energy around 279-376. It’s small and clean, good for a longboard if you’re keen, but not a standout.
We get another real opportunity on Wednesday July 22nd afternoon. After a morning of cross-shore wind, the wind goes glassy from the SSW at 3 mph. There’s a 5ft SSW swell with 690 combined energy. The wind is light, the swell has an 11-second period, and the water texture looks smooth. That’s a very good window for a solid, clean session.
So, looking across the whole period, the absolute best on offer is Saturday July 11th morning. You’ve got 6ft S swell, offshore breeze, clean conditions, and moderate energy. For the second week, Wednesday July 22nd afternoon is the one to pencil in – glassy, 5ft, and a good chance of clean, lined-up waves. Keep an eye on it, as long-range forecasts can shift.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed morning, min 10°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | |||||||||||||||
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 13 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 11 | SSE 7 | S 9 | S 9 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
629 | 1486 | 1993 | 1605 | 1326 | 1725 | 1467 | 1175 | 931 | 1039 | 887 | 376 | 379 | 294 | 196 | 90 | 65 | 41 | 87 | 79 | 51 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | off | glassy | cross | cross |
High Tide | 8:58AM1.11m | 9:25PM1.30m | 10:19AM1.11m | 10:42PM1.31m | 11:40AM1.16m | 11:57PM1.35m | 12:50PM1.25m | 1:04AM1.43m | 1:48PM1.37m | 2:02AM1.51m | 2:40PM1.48m | 2:54AM1.56m | 3:27PM1.57m | 3:42AM1.58m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:51PM0.47m | 4:03AM0.40m | 4:11PM0.49m | 5:23AM0.36m | 5:36PM0.46m | 6:35AM0.27m | 6:51PM0.37m | 7:35AM0.18m | 7:54PM0.27m | 8:28AM0.09m | 8:48PM0.17m | 9:15AM0.03m | 9:38PM0.11m | ||||||||
7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | |
— | 5:49 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 16 |
Feels °C | 17 | 16 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 8 | 11 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 8 | SSE 7 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 |
629 | 1486 | 1993 | 1605 | 1326 | 1725 | 1467 | 1175 | 931 | 1039 | 887 | 376 | 379 | 294 | 196 | 90 | 51 | 41 | 87 | 79 | 51 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 16 | S 11 | — | — | SW 13 | W 14 | W 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | SSE 7 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 9 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 12 |
319 | 1200 | 93 | — | — | 437 | 16 | 3 | 14 | 12 | 24 | 81 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 54 | 65 | 34 | 44 | 54 | 38 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 | SW 20 | SW 18 | WSW 12 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | WSW 10 | WSW 9 | SSE 10 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | W 9 |
10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 15 | 12 | 27 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 36 | 16 | 16 | 14 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SSE 4 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | SE 5 | SE 6 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 6 | SE 7 | SE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | 32 | 12 | 12 | 49 | 85 | 138 | 152 | 196 | 260 | 229 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 44 | 47 | 0 | 302 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 5 | 5 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 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.










