Surf Forecasts:
Strand (Pipe) surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 11s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 14s period, SW swell with 1,034 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 11PM (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 Saturday (Aug 22) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 15s. 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 1.6m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Strand (Pipe) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s coming up for Strand (Pipe).
Alright, so we’re looking at a bit of a slow start here. The water’s sitting at 58°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year. Nothing crazy, but you’ll feel it.
For the first stretch, from Saturday the 22nd through the 24th, it’s pretty average. We’ve got some chest-high, 4ft to 4ft SW swell rolling in with moderate energy (367 to 581), but the wind is cross or cross-on, so it’s going to be a bit messy and rippled. Not worth paddling out for unless you’re desperate. The scores reflect that it’s a tough call.
Now, Tuesday the 25th morning is where we start to see a real kick. The swell bumps up to 5ft from the SW, with solid, moderate energy (1027) and a 14-second period. That’s a proper groundswell. The wind is cross-off, which cleans it up nicely. This is the first standout window. For the experienced crew, this will be fun, with good shape. It’s a bit too big for beginners though.
Wednesday the 26th is the real gem of the first week. We get clean, offshore winds from the E and ESE all day. The swell drops slightly to 3ft-3ft from the SSW, but the period stays long at 12 seconds. The energy is still moderate (548-646), and with glassy, clean conditions, this is the best wave quality you’ll see in this early run. It’s not huge, but it’ll be peaky and lined up. This is your pick for the first week.
From Thursday the 27th through Saturday the 29th, it gets messy again. Wind shifts to the NW and NNW, bringing cross and cross-on chop, and the swell drops back under 3ft. It’s a write-off for a few days. The wave energy stays moderate (375-585), but the wind is just no good.
Then we hit Sunday the 30th. Big change. The swell pumps up to 10ft from the SW, with strong energy (2930) and a 13-second period. This is expert territory only – 8ft plus is for the brave and the skilled. The wind is onshore, so it’ll be a bit of a beast, but for the heavy crew, there will be bombs.
Monday the 31st is a good follow-up. Swell drops to a more manageable 6ft from the SW, with clean cross-off winds from the SSE. Energy is still strong (952). This is a solid session for intermediates who can handle it.
The standout of the entire 16-day window is Tuesday, September 1st. Morning sees 6ft of SSW swell, a very long 13-second period, and glassy, dead-calm conditions. The energy is strong (1169). This is as good as it gets for Strand. Perfect conditions, clean, long-period groundswell. For experienced surfers, this is the one to circle.
After that, the wind gets ugly again for the 2nd and 3rd, but then we see another huge pulse on Thursday the 3rd afternoon: 12ft from the SW with a 15-second period and extreme energy (7108). That’s a monster. Only for experts, and the wind is cross-off, so it will be raw and powerful. There are big waves on offer through the 4th and 5th, with 10ft to 13ft, but the wind is mixed, so it’s a bit of a gamble.
The very end of the outlook, on Saturday the 5th afternoon and Sunday the 6th, shows 13ft SW groundswell with very long periods (16-21 seconds) and extreme energy (4986 to 7523). The wind is cross or cross-on, so it’ll be a battle, but for the big-wave chargers, the ocean will be alive.
To wrap it up: your best bets are Wednesday the 26th for clean, fun waves in the chest-high range, and Tuesday, September 1st for the glassy, perfect session. The end of the window is all heavy, big-wave territory.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
337 | 533 | 581 | 555 | 448 | 331 | 254 | 763 | 938 | 637 | 390 | 199 | 280 | 285 | 348 | 344 | 282 | 223 | 177 | 217 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 00:08AM1.05m | 1:00PM1.08m | 1:03AM1.15m | 1:38PM1.20m | 1:41AM1.25m | 2:09PM1.32m | 2:14AM1.35m | 2:37PM1.44m | 2:44AM1.43m | 3:05PM1.53m | 3:14AM1.49m | 3:33PM1.61m | 3:44AM1.52m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:08PM0.67m | 6:48AM0.53m | 7:08PM0.57m | 7:29AM0.42m | 7:46PM0.46m | 8:00AM0.31m | 8:17PM0.35m | 8:28AM0.21m | 8:47PM0.25m | 8:55AM0.14m | 9:15PM0.17m | 9:22AM0.09m | 9:44PM0.11m | |||||||
— | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | |
6:19 | — | — | 6:19 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:21 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 17 | 18 | 14 | 17 | 20 | 14 | 18 | 24 | 20 | 24 | 26 | 20 | 26 | 29 | 27 |
Feels °C | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 10 | 15 | 22 | 17 | 21 | 23 | 18 | 23 | 28 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SSE 8 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SW 15 |
337 | 533 | 581 | 555 | 448 | 331 | 254 | 763 | 938 | 637 | 327 | 99 | 280 | 285 | 348 | 344 | 282 | 223 | 177 | 217 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 16 | SW 14 | — | — | — | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SW 10 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SW 12 | S 15 | S 14 | SW 16 | SW 14 | S 10 |
27 | 102 | — | — | — | 70 | 113 | 96 | 89 | 126 | 135 | 199 | 92 | 109 | 35 | 17 | 63 | 127 | 169 | 102 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 11 | — | — | — | — | SW 15 | — | — | — | SSW 14 | SW 13 | S 16 | S 15 | WSW 12 | SW 16 | SW 11 | S 13 | — | SSE 14 |
— | 219 | — | — | — | — | 181 | — | — | — | 390 | 136 | 127 | 112 | 196 | 11 | 30 | 87 | — | 36 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 4 | — | — | — | — | SE 3 | SSE 4 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 6 | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 8 | — | NW 3 | — | SE 10 | SSE 5 | NNW 3 |
3 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 15 | 35 | 45 | 98 | 203 | 114 | 147 | 527 | — | 3 | — | 148 | 8 | 3 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 5 | 0 | 10 | 41 | 0 | 25 | 25 | 6 | 6 | 364 | 41 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
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.











