Strand (Pipe) Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.12° S 18.83° E

Strand (Pipe) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 am 27 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Strand (Pipe) sea temperature is
14.9°C
0.7° 

Strand (Pipe) surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Strand (Pipe) surf forecast from 27 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 2 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, SSW swell with 6,489 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 11s 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 Thursday (Aug 27) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 16s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 3s is also forecast. 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 3.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Thu 27th Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 11s
Best Surf 5AM (Wed 2nd Sep)11ft (3.5m) 16s
Most Powerful 5AM (Wed 2nd Sep)11ft (3.5m) 16s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Strand (Pipe) over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Righto, let’s get into it. The first proper surf window gets going on Thursday the 27th of August. Not a classic start, but things pick up. Water temp is sitting at 59°, which is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual there.

Thursday morning at Strand (Pipe) is a bit average – we’ve got 4ft southerly swell with an 11-second period, but the north wind is making it a bit cross and messy. The swell energy’s moderate at 555. Thursday afternoon goes similar, maybe a touch more swell energy (630) but the wind swings southwest and goes cross-on. Not the best, but you could sneak a few if you’re keen.

Friday the 28th is a beauty of a morning if you can get out. By 9am, the wind drops to glassy – dead calm, that’s clean as a whistle. Swell drops a bit to 3ft from the south, period still solid at 11 seconds. The energy’s moderate (299), but with glassy conditions, the wave shape will be tidy. Afternoon stays clean too, 3ft, cross-off wind from the SSE. That’s a solid little session.

Saturday the 29th morning is clean again with offshore wind from the ESE and a 2ft swell from the southwest – that’s a long period groundswell at 14 seconds. That’s proper energy for a small wave, but at Strand it’s a beach and reef setup, so those long-period swells might stand up nicely on the reef but could close out on the beach. Worth a look. Afternoon gets a bit wet and scrappy with light rain and cross wind.

Sunday the 30th morning is the standout of this first week, no question. We see 5ft from the southwest, 12-second period, combined swell energy at 723 (moderate to strong), and cross-off wind from the southeast. The waves will have some punch and the wind will keep ’em clean. That’s your go-to session early Sunday.

Monday the 31st and Tuesday the 1st of September fade a bit – wind turns onshore or cross, swell gets a little bumpy. Not worth rushing for.

Now, Wednesday the 2nd of September – this one’s for the experienced crew only. The morning has a thumping 10ft southwest swell with a 16-second period, and the combined energy is a massive 4826. That’s strong, deep ocean energy. Wind is light and cross from the south, so it’ll be a beast. If you’re a charger, this is your day. But if you’re not solid on a bigger wave, stay well clear. Afternoon is still 8ft with the same long period, still heavy.

Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th of September drop back in size but get stronger winds – 18 to 22 mph SSE to ESE winds, cross-off but fresh. Swell sits around 5ft to 8ft, period shortens to 8-9 seconds. This setup with strong side-off wind at a beach break starts looking more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. Conditions are cleanish but the wind is full on.

Saturday the 5th of September is a much nicer proposition – 6ft to 7ft swell from the southeast, 7-second period, and offshore wind from the ESE at 6-9 mph. That’s clean, a bit short period but good fun. Sunday the 6th goes glassy with a tiny 2ft left-over swell from the southwest – long period again at 16 seconds, but small. Nice for a longboard if you’re patient.

Monday the 7th is glassy again, 5ft from the southeast, 9 seconds. That’s clean and has a bit of push. A good way to start the week.

From Tuesday the 8th through to Thursday the 10th of September, it gets small and poor – waves drop to 2ft and winds are onshore or cross-on. Not worth paddling out. That’s a quiet stretch of a few days.

Friday the 11th of September picks up a little with 5ft from the south-southwest, period 12-14 seconds, but the wind is cross or cross-on. The energy is moderate to strong (631-725), but the wind holds it back from being a standout. It’s a maybe, but nothing special.

Best on offer: Sunday morning the 30th of August for clean 5ft waves with cross-off wind, and Wednesday the 2nd of September for the big-wave crew hitting that 10ft monster with light wind. Both at Strand (Pipe). If you’re after a glassy morning, Friday the 28th of August with that 3ft is a gem.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Warm (max 26°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
2
2
1
2
0
1
3
1
2
1
0
2
1
1
6
4
4
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
S
11
1.3
S
11
1.2
S
11
1
S
11
0.9
S
10
0.6
SW
13
0.7
SW
14
1
SW
10
1.4
SW
8
1.6
SW
12
1.5
SW
12
1.1
SW
12
1.2
SW
11
1.2
SW
11
1.6
SW
11
1.7
SW
13
1.7
SW
13
3.5
SSW
16
3
SW
16
2.5
SW
16
2.3
SSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
433
433
344
229
175
136
186
188
232
712
625
349
369
338
604
951
951
5323
4826
3340
2109
Wind (km/h)
10
N
10
SW
5
W
5
NW
5
SSE
5
S
10
ESE
15
SSW
15
SSE
15
SE
20
S
10
SE
10
W
10
WSW
15
N
20
NNW
15
W
10
SE
10
S
10
SSW
15
SSE
Wind State
cross
cross-on
glassy
glassy
cross-off
cross
off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
on
cross-on
cross
cross
on
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
High Tide
3:05PM1.53m
3:14AM1.49m
3:33PM1.61m
3:44AM1.52m
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
Low Tide
8:55AM0.14m
9:15PM0.17m
9:22AM0.09m
9:44PM0.11m
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
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:09
7:09
7:07
7:05
7:05
7:03
7:01
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:22
6:22
6:23
6:23
6:24
6:25
6:25
 mm
3
1
1
3
Temp °C
25
26
18
22
21
18
16
19
14
14
15
12
14
15
12
15
18
14
15
13
11
Feels °C
22
24
17
20
20
17
15
17
12
10
9
8
11
13
10
11
15
13
12
12
8
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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.

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