Surf Forecasts:
Strand (Pipe) surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 13s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 12s period, SW swell with 1,859 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 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 Saturday (Aug 29) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Strand (Pipe) in the next 16 days are 2.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Tue 1st Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Sun 30th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Strand (Pipe) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid 16-day window ahead at Strand (Pipe) and while it kicks off with a bit of a slow start, there are a couple of absolute gems buried in there that’ll get the blood pumping. The water is sitting at about 59°, which is 1° cooler than normal for this time of year—nothing too wild, just a touch fresher than average, so grab a steamer if you’re a bit of a sook.
The first few days are a bit average. Saturday morning the 29th sees a 2ft SW swell with a nice 14-second period, moderate energy (370), and a light cross-off breeze from the NE. It’s clean enough, but the wave comment says “expect good surf conditions” so it’s a gentle warm-up—nothing to rush for. Saturday afternoon gets messy with rain, a cross-shore wind, and the swell drops to 2ft (394 energy). Not worth paddling out. Sunday the 30th has a bigger bump—5ft SW swell, 12-second period, solid energy (753), but the SSE wind jumps to 12-16 mph, blowing cross-off. It’s clean, but the forecast says “marginal” and it’s a bit on the punchy side for intermediates. Monday the 31st drops back to 4ft SW, 11-second period (382 energy), with light cross-shore winds—surfable but nothing special.
Now, here’s where it gets good. Tuesday morning the 1st of September is a standout. We’ve got a 6ft swell from the SSW, 13-second period, and the combined energy is cranking at 1045—moderate to strong. The wind is glassy, coming from the SW at just 3 mph. That’s about as clean as it gets. The wave comment says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers,” and I’ll echo that. This is the top pick in the whole run. It’s a bit much for beginners—over 5ft—but for intermediate to expert crew, this is the morning to be in the water. Tuesday afternoon gets a bit bigger at 7ft (1543 energy), but the wind turns cross-shore, so the morning session is the call.
Wednesday the 2nd keeps the fire lit. Morning brings a 7ft SSW swell, 14-second period, massive energy at 1590, and a light cross-off from the SE. Again, “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers”—big, powerful, and clean. This is for the chargers only; over 8ft it’s expert territory. Wednesday afternoon eases to 6ft (1006 energy) but stays cross-off. Two days of world-class potential.
After that, things get tricky. Thursday the 3rd gets blown out by a fresh 22 mph SE breeze, dropping the swell to 4ft (554 energy)—poor conditions, not worth it. Friday the 4th is a weird one: a 6ft to 7ft SSE swell (1324 energy) with a strong offshore ESE wind at 25-28 mph. The wave comment says “strong offshore and clean but hard to paddle into.” That’s a kitesurfer’s dream, honestly—for paddle surfing, it’s a battle just to get out. Saturday the 5th calms right down with a 3ft SSW swell and light offshore or glassy winds—clean, small, fun for a longboard or a fish.
The second week is more of a mixed bag. Sunday the 6th has a 4ft SW swell with a very long 15-second period (551 energy) but a cross-shore wind—not ideal. Monday the 7th through Wednesday the 9th are mostly poor, with onshore or cross-onshore winds and small, messy swells. Thursday the 10th offers a tiny 2ft SSE swell with a clean offshore breeze, but it’s weak (74 energy)—surfable but ordinary. Friday the 11th has a 3ft SW swell with a long 16-second period (450 energy), but a strong cross-wind makes it poor. The weekend of the 13th and 14th sees a return of 5ft SW swells (852 energy) with light cross-onshore winds—not terrible but not a standout.
So, the best on offer is Tuesday morning the 1st of September and Wednesday morning the 2nd of September—both bring solid, clean, powerful SSW groundswell with glassy or light cross-off winds. Get on it before the second week gets messy.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat morning, min 9°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (calm on Tue morning, strong winds from the SE by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | |||||||||||||||
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 14 | SW 14 | SW 8 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | S 9 | SSE 11 | SSE 7 | SSW 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
186 | 164 | 288 | 742 | 511 | 355 | 380 | 354 | 360 | 1045 | 1543 | 1788 | 1590 | 1006 | 649 | 479 | 355 | 994 | 831 | 403 | 270 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | cross | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 4:01PM1.65m | 4:15AM1.52m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:49AM0.06m | 10:14PM0.07m | 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 | |||||||
7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | |
— | 6:23 | — | — | 6:23 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:28 | — | |
mm | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 3 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 19 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 12 |
Feels °C | 16 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 9 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 10 | SW 8 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 |
186 | 115 | 288 | 742 | 511 | 355 | 380 | 354 | 360 | 1045 | 1543 | 1788 | 1590 | 1006 | 649 | 479 | 355 | 167 | 204 | 251 | 270 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | S 7 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 15 | S 16 | SSW 14 | WSW 11 | S 15 | S 14 |
116 | 164 | 208 | 11 | 20 | 47 | 2 | 2 | 163 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 43 | 126 | 301 | 176 | 110 | 104 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 13 | S 11 | SSE 11 | — | — | SE 10 | — | — | S 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SW 11 | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 |
68 | 61 | 37 | — | — | 4 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 32 | 215 | 43 | 113 | 110 | 153 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 6 | — | — | S 4 | ESE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | S 5 | SSE 4 | S 9 | SSE 11 | SSE 7 | SE 7 |
— | 54 | — | — | 39 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 56 | 62 | 57 | 31 | 994 | 831 | 403 | 247 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 10 | 0 | 25 | 302 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 364 | 0 | 155 | 364 | 965 | 1201 | 50 | 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.











