
Surf Forecasts:
Strand (Pipe) surf forecast from 2 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 9 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 9 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, S swell with 3,298 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 7 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 11s 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 Tuesday (Jul 07) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m 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 3.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 09) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 09) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Tue 7th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 9th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Thu 9th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Strand (Pipe) over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's coming our way at Strand (Pipe). It's a beach and reef setup, fairly consistent, exposed to the swell, and it needs a south-west direction to really fire.
At first glance, it's a bit of a rough start. We've got a lumpy, cross-onshore wind and weak, choppy surf for the first few days. For the first half of this week, it's pretty messy. You can practically forget about pulling into anything good before the weekend is through.
Things start to turn the corner on the morning of Monday, July 6th. We are looking at a light cross-shore wind with some small wind ripples. The swell is still average at around 4 to 4ft from the SSW, with a moderate combined wave energy of 400 to 409. The water temperature is sitting at 59°, which is about normal for the time of year. It's marginal, but there's a glimmer. By Tuesday morning, July 7th, it gets really interesting. The wind swings to a cross-offshore from the SSE at only 3 mph, making for clean conditions.
Now, the real standout for the experienced crew is Thursday, July 9th. The morning of July 9th is where it all comes together. We've got a solid 10ft swell from the south at 14 seconds, and a clean offshore wind from the ESE at 12 mph. The combined swell energy is a powerhouse 3298 (strong to very strong). That's proper, solid groundswell. This is expert territory, no doubt, with a long period swell that will favour the reef lines, carving out some serious barrels. The afternoon is just as good with 8ft from the south, same wind.
Following that, Friday July 10th afternoon is also a beauty. Swell drops a touch to 6ft but the wind goes glassy from the east at only 3 mph. It's clean, perfect conditions with excellent shape. Combine that with a moderate energy of 1223.
You’ve got a few more promising windows, like Saturday July 11th morning with a solid 5ft and gentle offshore wind, and Sunday July 12th looking glassy with the same. The second week starts to look less certain and a bit choppy again from the 15th with strong cross-onshore winds and messy surf.
If you are a beginner, stick to the smaller days around the 11th and 12th when the swell is around 4-5ft. Over 8ft on the 9th and 16th is strictly for experts only. Crowds are a possibility at Strand, so expect company on the really good days.
Stay sharp.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sun afternoon, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thu 2 | Friday 3 | Saturday 4 | Sunday 5 | Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 12 | SSW 9 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | WSW 9 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | S 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
311 | 231 | 254 | 127 | 108 | 67 | 115 | 106 | 89 | 297 | 561 | 403 | 398 | 377 | 383 | 396 | 1291 | 1042 | 2320 | 2916 | 3298 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 4:57PM1.41m | 5:01AM1.35m | 5:30PM1.42m | 5:35AM1.32m | 6:05PM1.41m | 6:13AM1.27m | 6:43PM1.39m | 6:57AM1.21m | 7:26PM1.36m | 7:50AM1.16m | 8:19PM1.33m | 8:58AM1.11m | 9:25PM1.30m | 10:19AM1.11m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:03PM0.33m | 11:12AM0.21m | 11:38PM0.34m | 11:44AM0.24m | 00:15AM0.36m | 12:18PM0.29m | 00:57AM0.37m | 12:58PM0.34m | 1:48AM0.39m | 1:48PM0.41m | 2:49AM0.41m | 2:51PM0.47m | 4:03AM0.40m | ||||||||
— | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | |
5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | 5:49 | |
mm | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 20 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 13 |
Feels °C | 7 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 9 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 12 | WSW 8 | SW 9 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 9 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | S 14 |
311 | 231 | 254 | 127 | 108 | 32 | 75 | 80 | 37 | 80 | 561 | 403 | 398 | 377 | 383 | 396 | 1291 | 1042 | 2320 | 2916 | 3298 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 6 | W 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 10 | W 8 | SW 11 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SSW 22 | SW 20 | SW 17 | — | — | — |
21 | 58 | 22 | 72 | 33 | 40 | 115 | 106 | 89 | 82 | 14 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 45 | 190 | 844 | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SW 19 | SSE 11 | W 8 | SE 12 | SW 16 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SW 10 | SE 12 | SW 18 | S 8 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SW 23 | SE 10 | W 10 | — | — | — | — |
21 | 15 | 12 | 29 | 22 | 67 | 44 | 25 | 27 | 23 | 12 | 1 | 60 | 30 | 21 | 4 | 71 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | NW 4 | N 3 | N 3 | NW 3 | N 3 | N 3 | WSW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 5 | — | SE 6 |
47 | 34 | 22 | 15 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 297 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 72 | — | 228 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 239 | 30 | 16 | 27 | 5 | 16 | 16 | 5 | 16 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 16 | 5 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 282 | 6 | 6 | 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.











