Strand (Pipe) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the table for this stretch of coast. The forecast is a bit of a mixed bag early on, but there’s a solid run of clean waves brewing for the end of the first week and into the second. We’ll have a few small days with tough winds to get through, but patient souls will be rewarded.

The water temperature at Strand (Pipe) is sitting at 58.3°F, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year – that anomaly is about a degree and a half below average, so don’t skip the wetsuit.

Monday the 24th kicks things off, but honestly, it’s a write-off. You’ve got a 3.6ft SW swell, but a moderate cross-shore breeze has it chopped and messy. The energy is weak, and the score is a no-go. Wait it out.

Tuesday the 25th morning sees the first real pulse of interest. A 5.2ft SW groundswell with a very long 15-second period rolls in. The wind is a clean cross-offshore from the SE, and the energy picks up. This will be a standout session for the intermediate crew – the longer period means better shape and more push, though that big period can make it a bit straight at Strand if the tide’s off. Tuesday afternoon drops a bit to 4.3ft but stays clean.

Wednesday the 26th morning offers a shift: a 4.9ft SE swell with a short 7-second period, but it’s got clean offshore wind from the east. The energy is moderate and conditions are clean. It’s a solid, fun option. Wednesday afternoon goes glassy and small with a 2.6ft SSW groundswell – an incredibly long 16-second pulse that is best for the experienced, as it’ll be a bit straight but very clean with gentle offshore wind.

Then we hit a rough patch from Thursday the 27th through to Monday the 31st. Winds go onshore or cross, swell drops and gets messy. There’s a window on Friday the 28th afternoon with a 3.0ft S swell and light cross-off breeze, but it’s small. Also, Monday the 31st afternoon has a 3.9ft SW swell with light SE cross-off breeze – both of these are just "good," not great.

Tuesday the 1st of September is a write-off with strong onshore winds, and Wednesday the 2nd is sloppy with rain.

Now, the real excitement starts Thursday the 3rd of September. Thursday morning brings a solid 9.8ft SE swell with moderate cross-offshore wind from the SE – energy is strong. This is big and clean, but at 9.8ft, it’s expert territory only. Thursday afternoon the swell pumps up to a massive 14.8ft SSE swell – that’s powerful stuff, and with fresh cross-off winds, it’s one of the best on offer for big-wave chargers. This is a true standout.

Friday the 4th of September keeps the energy going: 13.1ft SSE swell with clean offshore winds from the east. Again, purely for experts, but the conditions are excellent – that offshore wind will groom it beautifully.

Saturday the 5th of September drops to a still-chunky 6.6ft S swell with moderate offshore wind. This is more accessible for strong intermediates, and the conditions are clean.

Sunday the 6th of September is a glassy winner: 6.6ft to 6.9ft S swell with light offshore and glassy conditions. This is the best all-rounder of the run – still sizeable but cleaner than clean. Perfect for a Sunday session.

Monday the 7th of September fades to 2.6-3.0ft SW groundswell with a long 16-second period and glassy morning winds. It’s small but clean, a nice finisher.

Tuesday the 8th of September morning has a 3.0ft SSW groundswell with light cross-off wind, but it’s marginal.

Overall, the standouts are Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th for the brave, or Sunday the 6th for the best combo of size and glassy conditions. Don’t bother paddling out until Tuesday the 25th morning.

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