
Surf Forecasts:
Strand (Pipe) surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 15 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 22 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 10,046 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 15 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 14s 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 Wednesday (Jul 15) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m 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 5.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 12s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 18ft (5.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Strand (Pipe) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s happening at Strand (Pipe). This spot faces southwest, and the water temp is 58°F, which is about 2°F cooler than average for this time of year – you’ll feel it.
We start with a few clean days, then it gets big and sloppy, then we might get a reward if you’re patient.
On Wednesday the 15th, we’ve got a 6ft southwest swell at a long 16 second period, but the wind is cross-on and it’s only marginal. Not the pick.
Thursday the 16th is the real winner early on. Both morning and afternoon are glassy, with light westerly then south-southwest winds. Swell holds around 5ft to 5ft from the southwest, 13 second period. Clean, lined up, and rideable – that’s your best bet.
Friday the 17th stays glassy but the swell drops to 4ft to 5ft – fun for a smaller board.
Then we hit a rough patch. Saturday the 18th turns choppy. Swell builds through the week, but the wind gets nasty. Tuesday the 21st pumps a 8ft southwest groundswell at 14 seconds with 35 km/h cross winds. The energy is strong (2589 combined), but it’s lumpy and messy. Not a paddle session.
Wednesday the 22nd brings a massive 16ft southwest swell at 13 seconds – combined energy of 12605. That’s huge, but cross-on wind at 25 km/h makes it a kite-surfing show, not a surfer’s wave.
The messy pattern sticks around through the end of July with swells over 7ft and poor winds.
Finally, Wednesday the 29th shapes up nicely. Light south-easterly winds go glassy in the morning and cross-off in the afternoon. Swell is 5ft from the southwest at 12 seconds, combined energy 1163. Conditions are excellent for experienced surfers – clean, well-shaped. That glassy morning is the standout of the second week.
Thursday the 30th holds similar size (7ft to 7ft) with a bit more breeze, but still cross-off and clean. Good for confident surfers.
So, your call: Thursday the 16th is the clean, fun one early. Then a long stretch of onshore junk and big, messy energy. The next real gem is Wednesday the 29th – glassy, clean, and promising, but it’s a ways out, so stay tuned.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Mon morning). Winds increasing (calm on Sun morning, fresh winds from the N by Tue morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wed 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SSW 10 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1384 | 1581 | 933 | 734 | 578 | 423 | 316 | 168 | 220 | 251 | 442 | 349 | 202 | 182 | 105 | 245 | 920 | 2589 | 1977 | 1401 | 9190 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | glassy | off | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 4:12PM1.63m | 4:28AM1.56m | 4:55PM1.64m | 5:11AM1.50m | 5:37PM1.61m | 5:53AM1.40m | 6:18PM1.54m | 6:36AM1.30m | 7:00PM1.44m | 7:20AM1.18m | 7:44PM1.32m | 8:12AM1.08m | 8:35PM1.21m | 9:19AM1.01m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:25PM0.08m | 10:40AM0.01m | 11:11PM0.10m | 11:20AM0.07m | 11:55PM0.16m | 12:00PM0.16m | 00:39AM0.25m | 12:38PM0.27m | 1:23AM0.34m | 1:19PM0.39m | 2:13AM0.44m | 2:06PM0.51m | 3:13AM0.52m | ||||||||
— | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:43 | |
5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:55 | — | 5:57 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2 |
Temp °C | 17 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
Feels °C | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SSW 10 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 13 |
1384 | 1581 | 933 | 734 | 578 | 423 | 316 | 168 | 220 | 251 | 442 | 349 | 202 | 182 | 105 | 245 | 920 | 2589 | 1977 | 1401 | 3415 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | S 15 | S 13 | S 11 | SW 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 8 | S 7 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 11 | — |
3 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 51 | 116 | 157 | 61 | 100 | 116 | 66 | 27 | 21 | 487 | 13 | 12 | 5 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | E 11 | SW 16 | SSW 14 | S 11 | — | S 10 | WSW 8 | WSW 10 | SW 7 | W 9 | SE 12 | — | — | — | — |
59 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 10 | 123 | 85 | — | 123 | 6 | 19 | 19 | 6 | 22 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 11 | — | — | — | — | WNW 3 | — | — | NW 4 | NW 5 | SW 13 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 403 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 16 | 87 | 9190 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 16 | 33 | 5 | 239 | 239 | 233 | 34 |
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.











