
Surf Forecasts:
Strand (Pipe) surf forecast from 7 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 15s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 12 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s period, SSW swell with 1,633 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 7 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 12s 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 Monday (Sep 07) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 13s. 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 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Friday (Sep 11) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Mon 7th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Strand (Pipe) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk in feet and miles per hour.
Our one and only spot is Strand (Pipe), a beach and reef break that’s exposed to the SW and fairly consistent. The water is about 55°, which is 5° colder than normal – that’s a real cold snap for this time of year.
The first few days are a bust. Monday the 7th has a 4ft SSW swell, but the wind is cross and it’s marginal. Tuesday and Wednesday the 8th and 9th drop to 2ft, with poor conditions and cross or cross-on wind. Not worth it.
Thursday the 10th brings a 5ft SW groundswell at 15 seconds, clean cross-off wind, and moderate energy. It’s still a marginal call, but it’s the first real look. Friday the 11th jumps to 7ft to 8ft, but it’s short-period junk from the SSE at 7 seconds – that’s not going to be fun. The energy is moderate, but the quality is poor.
The standout is Sunday the 13th. You’ve got a 5ft SSW swell at 14 seconds, clean cross-off wind, and strong energy. The call is excellent for experienced surfers. That morning session is the one to aim for.
The middle of the next week gets wild. Monday the 16th sees an 8ft SW swell, but it’s onshore and choppy with very strong energy (3512). It’s big and messy – experts only. Saturday the 19th morning goes glassy with a tiny 2ft SW swell – clean but small.
The late call is Tuesday the 22nd. A 7ft SW swell at 12 seconds, offshore wind, clean conditions, and strong energy. That’s a long-range standout, but it looks good.
Most of the rest is marginal or poor with moderate to fresh breezes. The stretch from the 14th to the 15th is all poor surf and strong wind – better for kite surfing if that’s your thing.
So, bottom line: Sunday the 13th morning is the real winner. If you’re patient, Tuesday the 22nd morning is also worth a look. Everything else is either too small, too windy, or too messy.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Mon afternoon, min 15°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Warm (max 20°C on Thu afternoon, min 14°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 11 | SW 11 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SSW 17 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
569 | 387 | 144 | 75 | 75 | 109 | 106 | 210 | 949 | 696 | 431 | 413 | 523 | 387 | 905 | 1588 | 1255 | 763 | 525 | 382 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 1:06AM1.34m | 1:36PM1.45m | 1:53AM1.45m | 2:16PM1.58m | 2:33AM1.53m | 2:52PM1.68m | 3:10AM1.57m | 3:26PM1.72m | 3:44AM1.57m | 3:58PM1.71m | 4:16AM1.53m | 4:29PM1.64m | 4:47AM1.46m | |||||||
Low Tide | 7:03PM0.35m | 7:24AM0.23m | 7:51PM0.20m | 8:05AM0.12m | 8:32PM0.09m | 8:42AM0.05m | 9:09PM0.01m | 9:16AM0.01m | 9:43PM-0.01m | 9:48AM0.03m | 10:15PM0.01m | 10:19AM0.08m | 10:45PM0.08m | |||||||
— | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | |
6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:32 | — | — | 6:32 | — | — | 6:34 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 18 |
Feels °C | 26 | 21 | 24 | 25 | 22 | 21 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 16 | 19 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 11 | S 10 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SSW 17 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
569 | 387 | 144 | 70 | 40 | 109 | 106 | 210 | 949 | 696 | 431 | 281 | 236 | 268 | 905 | 1588 | 1255 | 763 | 525 | 382 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SW 18 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 15 | SSE 9 | S 8 | SW 17 | SE 9 | — | — | — | — | SW 14 | — | SSW 18 | — | SSE 8 | S 7 | S 7 |
93 | 12 | 112 | 75 | 75 | 15 | 5 | 143 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 387 | — | 826 | — | 128 | 112 | 108 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ESE 10 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSE 9 | SSW 8 | SSE 10 | SSE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 10 | — | SSW 8 | — | — | — | SE 12 |
— | 61 | 10 | 38 | 16 | 7 | 9 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | 62 | — | 51 | — | — | — | 6 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SSE 2 | S 4 | S 3 | SSE 3 | — | S 3 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | — | — |
— | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | 3 | 2 | — | 11 | 160 | 413 | 523 | 326 | 730 | 466 | 320 | 492 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 10 | 0 | 20 | 10 | 0 | 21 | 25 | 0 | 25 | 302 | 41 | 50 | 343 | 6 | 176 | 177 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Town | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










