Strand (Pipe) Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.12° S 18.83° E

Strand (Pipe) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 17 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Strand (Pipe) sea temperature is
14.4° C
1.0° 

Strand (Pipe) surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Strand (Pipe) surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 23 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 18s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 18s period, SSW swell with 6,188 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 17 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 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 Friday (Jul 17) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 11s period. 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 18s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 11s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 8PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8AM (Fri 17th Jul)4.5ft (1.4m) 11s
Best Surf 8PM (Thu 23rd Jul)10ft (3.0m) 18s
Most Powerful 5PM (Thu 23rd Jul)10ft (3.0m) 18s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Strand (Pipe) over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s shaping up for us at the Strand over the next couple of weeks.

The first few days are a bit of a mixed bag, but we’ve got a real pulse of energy building towards the end of the first week and into the second. The water is sitting at 58°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so don’t forget the booties for the morning sessions.

We kick off on Friday the 17th. The morning is glassy with a clean 4ft SW swell, period at 11 seconds, and only a light breeze. The wave energy is moderate (375). It’s looking good, with clean, lined-up waves. The afternoon goes glassy calm with 4ft SW swell. A solid start.

Saturday the 18th sees the swell drop to 3ft and the wind goes cross-on, so it’s a bit smaller and bumpy. Sunday the 19th is similar, with a bigger dose of cross-shore wind making things messy. These are days to maybe sit out or grab a log if you’re desperate.

Monday the 20th morning is back to glassy conditions with a 4ft SW swell. The energy is moderate (367). It’s clean and fun, a good one to get out for a few before work.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Tuesday the 21st afternoon: the wind goes glassy, and the swell jumps to 6ft from the SSW with a period of 14 seconds. The combined energy is strong (1141). The water is clean, and the waves will have some real push. This is a standout for experienced surfers. The longer period (groundswell) means better shape, especially if you can find a bank that holds.

Wednesday the 22nd gets blown out by a moderate cross-onshore breeze, so conditions are poor. Thursday the 23rd is a day of two halves. The morning is choppy with 7ft SSW swell, but the afternoon is where it’s at. A 10ft SSW swell rolls in with a very long 18-second period, generating very strong energy (6188). The wind is light cross-on, so it’s not perfect, but the size and power are there for experts only. This is a big-set day.

Friday the 24th afternoon is the real standout. The swell is still a solid 10ft from the SSW, period 16 seconds, and the wind goes clean, cross-offshore. The energy is extreme (5155). This is exceptional surf for expert surfers. The sets will be meaty, with long gaps between them, making it easier to get out. This is a session to remember if you’ve got the skills.

Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th keep the size up, with 8ft and 7ft SSW swells, but the wind is fresh offshore on Saturday, keeping it clean. Sunday the 26th is a gem: glassy conditions with an 8ft to 6ft SSW swell, period 17 seconds, and extremely strong energy (4007+). The morning is glassy, the afternoon is glassy. This is classic, heavy, powerful surf, and it’s going to be clean.

The following week, from Monday the 28th onward, the swell drops back to the 3ft to 5ft range, with periods settling around 12 to 14 seconds. The energy is moderate. The wind is mostly light and variable, with some glassy periods. It’s a return to smaller, cleaner conditions, but nothing that will get the heart racing like the previous weekend.

The very end of the outlook, on Saturday August 1st, sees a jump back to 10ft swell, but it’s accompanied by a strong cross-onshore wind, making it a choppy, blown-out mess. Not worth it.

Overall, the best bet is the period from Thursday the 23rd afternoon through to Sunday the 26th. The standout window is Friday the 24th afternoon and Sunday the 26th. That’s where the real power and clean conditions align.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, fresh winds from the NW by Wed afternoon).

Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
1
1
2
2
0
2
2
1
2
1
4
3
1
0
2
3
6
5
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
SW
11
1.2
SW
10
1
SSW
10
0.8
S
11
0.7
SW
12
1.1
SW
12
1.1
SW
12
1.2
SW
11
1.3
SSW
10
1.1
SW
11
1
SW
10
0.5
SSW
16
1.1
SSW
14
1.7
SSW
14
1.8
SW
14
1.6
SW
13
1.7
SW
13
1.6
SW
11
2
SSW
12
3
SSW
18
2.5
SSW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
375
316
200
157
159
319
303
319
302
286
181
142
460
1111
1267
802
954
675
1135
6188
3731
Wind (km/h)
5
SW
0
SSW
5
N
10
NNW
10
NW
15
NNW
15
NNW
10
SW
5
SE
5
W
5
WSW
5
N
5
N
5
SSW
15
N
25
NNW
20
NW
15
N
15
NNW
5
WSW
5
ESE
Wind State
glassy
glassy
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
glassy
glassy
cross-on
glassy
cross
glassy
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
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
11:20AM0.07m
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
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:47
7:47
7:46
7:46
7:45
7:43
7:43
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:53
5:53
5:54
5:55
5:55
5:57
5:58
 mm
Temp °C
17
18
16
17
19
16
16
18
15
15
16
14
15
18
15
15
17
14
16
18
15
Feels °C
18
18
17
16
18
15
13
15
15
15
15
14
13
17
14
10
11
11
13
16
15
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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.

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