
Surf Forecasts:
Strand (Pipe) surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 23 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 18s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 17s period, SSW swell with 3,298 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 17 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 10s 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 Friday (Jul 17) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 13s. 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 2.4m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 8ft (2.4m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Strand (Pipe) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let’s have a look at what’s coming down the line for the next couple of weeks.
We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but things build into a proper run of solid, clean surf at Strand (Pipe). The water’s a bit colder than average for the time of year, sitting at 58°, so you’ll want a decent wetsuit, no question.
The first real chance to get wet comes Friday afternoon, the 17th of July. It’s not huge, but you’ll find 4ft of SW swell with a 10-second period. The wind is glassy, and the combined energy is moderate (320). It’s clean, and should be a fun way to ease into the weekend.
Saturday morning, the 18th, drops off a bit – 3ft from the S, with cross-shore wind. Not much to write home about. The afternoon is even less inspiring, with onshore wind and 2ft of weak SW swell. Sunday the 19th is a write-off – the morning is choppy and messy, and the afternoon is marginal at best.
Monday the 20th morning redeems things. Glassy conditions again, 4ft of SSW swell at 9 seconds, and moderate energy (270). It’s not a standout, but a solid little session. The afternoon goes a bit cross-shore and drops off.
Now, Tuesday the 21st is where it starts to get interesting. The morning has 4ft of long-period groundswell from the SSW – 14 seconds! – with glassy wind and moderate energy (473). That’s a clean, lined-up morning. But the real highlight of the first week is Tuesday afternoon. 5ft, glassy, 14-second period, and strong combined energy (816). That’s a proper session, with good shape and not too big for most.
Wednesday the 22nd and Thursday the 23rd are a write-off – strong cross-shore winds and messy conditions. The swell is there, but the wind kills it.
Alright, now for the real standout. Friday the 24th of July. Morning you’ll see 8ft of SSW swell, 15-second period, and very strong energy (2207). The wind is cross-offshore and clean. Afternoon bumps up to 8ft, same direction and period, energy at 2734. This is expert territory – too big for beginners, but for experienced surfers, it’s pumping. The wind is light and clean, so expect long, powerful lines. Crowds are possible at Strand, so get in early.
Saturday the 25th morning still has a solid 6ft of SSW swell, clean cross-off wind, and strong energy (1235). Excellent for experienced surfers. The afternoon drops off to 4ft and the wind picks up, but it’s still clean.
Sunday the 26th morning is a beast – 12ft of SSE swell, but only 10 seconds, so it’s a bit wind-affected and choppy. The energy is massive (3779), but this is more of a kite-surfing setup than a paddle session. The afternoon has a very long 16-second period from the SSW but is still marginal.
Monday the 27th is back to clean. Morning has 3ft of SSW swell, 17 seconds, and very strong energy (1373). Glassy, clean, and perfect for a longboard or a mid-length. The afternoon is glassy with 5ft of SSW swell at 16 seconds – that’s a gorgeous session.
The first week of August sees the surf fade out. By Saturday the 1st, it’s down to 2ft with poor winds. The run is over. So, overall, the best on offer is definitely Friday the 24th and Monday the 27th of July. Those are the days to circle.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, fresh winds from the NW by Wed afternoon). | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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 10 | SSW 10 | S 11 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SSW 17 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
316 | 200 | 155 | 162 | 319 | 309 | 326 | 394 | 181 | 123 | 188 | 453 | 802 | 934 | 669 | 748 | 611 | 368 | 497 | 3298 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | glassy | cross | on | cross | cross-on | cross | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | on | glassy |
High Tide | 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 | 9:42PM1.12m | 10:47AM0.98m | 11:05PM1.09m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 3:11PM0.61m | 4:33AM0.56m | 4:45PM0.65m | ||||||||
— | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | |
5:53 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 21 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 18 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 19 | 15 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 10 | SSW 10 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SSW 17 |
316 | 200 | 117 | 159 | 319 | 309 | 326 | 394 | 181 | 123 | 188 | 453 | 802 | 934 | 669 | 748 | 611 | 368 | 497 | 3298 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | S 13 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | S 8 | SSW 12 | SSW 7 | ESE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 13 | SSW 16 | — |
4 | 51 | 155 | 116 | 133 | 75 | 33 | 40 | 81 | 41 | 94 | 15 | 14 | 5 | 5 | 29 | 11 | 7 | 166 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSE 11 | S 10 | SE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | W 9 | SW 7 | SE 12 | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 22 | — |
2 | 10 | 95 | 162 | 187 | 77 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 27 | 5 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | 46 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NW 2 | NNW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 | N 3 | NW 4 | — | NNW 2 | — | — |
— | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 11 | 20 | — | 1 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 5 | 16 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 144 | 33 | 5 | 16 | 16 | 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.










