
Surf Forecasts:
Strand (Pipe) surf forecast from 11 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 12 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 17s period, SSW swell with 1,714 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s 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 Saturday (Sep 12) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 1.6m and 7s. 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 1.7m 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 17) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Strand (Pipe) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk about Strand (Pipe) in feet and degrees.
Right off the bat, the first few days are a bit of a mixed bag, but there’s a solid pulse of energy building through the weekend and into next week. The first decent opportunity we see is Saturday afternoon, September 12th. The swell is 6ft from the SSW with a very long period of 17 seconds – that’s proper groundswell energy, and the combined energy is pumping at 1969 (moderate to strong). The wind is offshore from the ESE at 19 mph, so it’ll be clean. This is a standout session for experienced surfers. That long period will make it a bit fat at a beach-and-reef setup, but the power is there.
Then, Sunday morning on the 13th is your real gem. Swell drops to 5ft from the SSW, but the period is still a solid 14 seconds, and the wind is gentle offshore from the ESE at just 9 mph. The water temp is 59° – about average for this time of year. The combined energy is still strong at 1038, and conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. That’s the session to circle.
From Monday the 14th through Tuesday the 15th, the wind swings cross and cross-onshore from the NNW and NW, blowing 19–22 mph. The swell drops right off, and the wave energy plummets (as low as 238). It’s a write-off – poor conditions, lumpy and choppy. Not worth paddling out.
We get a bit of a rebound Wednesday the 16th, with a 6ft SW swell and a period of 14 seconds, combined energy 1819, but the wind is cross-off from the SE at 12–16 mph. It’s clean but marginal. Worth a look if you’re keen, but not a standout.
Thursday the 17th and Friday the 18th are small and underwhelming – 4ft to 5ft, mostly cross-off winds, energy in the 600–1000 range. Nothing special.
Now, Saturday the 19th – here’s a nice surprise. The swell is 5ft from the SSW, period 13 seconds, and the wind is glassy – dead calm at 3 mph from the SE. That’s about as clean as it gets. The combined energy is moderate at 763, but with glassy conditions, it’s a real treat. A good option for intermediate surfers.
Sunday the 20th is also clean, with a 4ft SW swell and gentle cross-off breeze. Nice but not the top pick.
Monday the 21st of September – another glassy morning, with 4ft from the SW, 15-second period, and dead calm winds (0 mph from the WSW). Combined energy is 505. That’s a beautiful morning for a smooth, lined-up wave.
From Tuesday the 22nd through Wednesday the 23rd, it turns ugly again. Cross-onshore winds, lumpy chop, and weak to moderate energy (236–390). Not worth it.
Thursday the 24th shows a bit of life with 6ft SSW swell and a 12-second period, combined energy 980, and cross-off wind from the SSE at 12 mph. Clean but marginal.
The standout in the second week is Friday the 25th of September. Morning session has a 5ft SW swell, 12-second period, combined energy 696, and light offshore wind from the ESE at just 6 mph. Expect very good conditions. That’s the one to plan for.
Saturday the 26th is small and glassy in the morning with 3ft from the SW, but it’s not a big energy day (255). Nice for a longboard or a cruise.
Overall, the best on offer is Sunday morning, September 13th, and Friday morning, September 25th. Both have clean winds, solid groundswell, and good energy. The rest of the period has plenty of average to poor days, with a couple of gems sprinkled in. If you’re picky, wait for those two.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Sun night. Warm (max 21°C on Fri afternoon, min 15°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon afternoon, min 10°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NW on Mon afternoon, light winds from the NNW by Tue night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SW 15 | SSW 17 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
384 | 244 | 805 | 1714 | 1222 | 785 | 493 | 295 | 190 | 142 | 101 | 110 | 920 | 1413 | 1249 | 878 | 572 | 418 | 343 | 386 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:26PM1.72m | 3:44AM1.57m | 3:58PM1.71m | 4:16AM1.53m | 4:29PM1.64m | 4:47AM1.46m | 4:58PM1.55m | 5:17AM1.37m | 5:28PM1.42m | 5:47AM1.26m | 5:58PM1.28m | 6:21AM1.14m | 6:33PM1.15m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:43PM-0.01m | 9:48AM0.03m | 10:15PM0.01m | 10:19AM0.08m | 10:45PM0.08m | 10:48AM0.16m | 11:14PM0.17m | 11:17AM0.27m | 11:43PM0.29m | 11:46AM0.38m | 00:13AM0.41m | 12:17PM0.51m | 00:50AM0.54m | |||||||
— | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | |
6:32 | — | — | 6:32 | — | — | 6:34 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:36 | — | — | 6:37 | — | |
mm | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | 7 | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | 14 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 21 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 18 | 14 |
Feels °C | 18 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 19 | 17 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 15 | SSW 17 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 12 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
228 | 153 | 805 | 1714 | 1222 | 785 | 493 | 295 | 190 | 142 | 101 | 91 | 920 | 1413 | 1249 | 683 | 437 | 414 | 343 | 386 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 15 | — | — | — | S 8 | — | S 7 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SSW 17 | SW 15 | SE 13 | ESE 12 | SW 14 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | W 12 | W 12 | SSW 14 |
— | 85 | — | — | — | 71 | — | 51 | 20 | 12 | 30 | 110 | 7 | 15 | 565 | 878 | 572 | 418 | 276 | 186 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 10 | — | — | — | SSE 12 | — | SE 9 | SSE 13 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SW 6 | — | — | SE 12 | — | E 12 | — | — | — |
— | 78 | — | — | — | 14 | — | 62 | 16 | 7 | 7 | 10 | — | — | 5 | — | 3 | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 9 | SSE 8 | NW 2 | NNW 5 | NW 5 | NW 4 | NW 4 | NW 5 | NNW 4 | — | S 7 | SSE 7 | SE 4 | SSE 5 | SE 4 |
384 | 244 | 278 | 255 | 173 | 168 | 348 | 2 | 65 | 77 | 15 | 51 | 63 | 17 | — | 173 | 121 | 18 | 76 | 24 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 364 | 47 | 47 | 41 | 0 | 0 | 176 | 16 | 135 | 233 | 16 | 189 | 189 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 900 | 10 |
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.










