Strand (Pipe) Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.12° S 18.83° E

Strand (Pipe) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 08 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Strand (Pipe) sea temperature is
13.5°C
2.1° 

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 8 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 12 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, SSW swell with 1,354 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 8 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 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 (Sep 08) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. 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 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Friday (Sep 11) at 11AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Tue 8th Sep)2ft (0.6m) 11s
Best Surf 8AM (Thu 10th Sep)5ft (1.5m) 16s
Most Powerful 5PM (Sat 12th Sep)5ft (1.6m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s talk about Strand (Pipe). It’s a beach and reef setup, open to the SW swell, and it’s been a real mixed bag lately. The water’s at 56°, which is a good 4° colder than usual for this time of year – that’s a real shock to the system, so you’ll need a thick suit.

We’ve got a slow start, with a tiny 2ft SW swell on Tuesday afternoon, only 205 combined energy (weak), and a light cross breeze. It’s surfable but nothing to get excited about. Wednesday’s even worse – poor conditions, onshore vibes, just leave it.

Thursday the 10th sees a bump up to 5ft SW, with a 15-second period, and the combined energy jumps to 927 (moderate). The wind is cross, so it’s a bit chopped, but that’s a solid groundswell. It’s still marginal though, so keep your expectations low.

Friday morning the 11th cleans up with a cross-off breeze and 3ft SW, period of 12 seconds, energy at 384 (moderate). It’s clean, but small. The afternoon gets messy with a short-period 6ft S swell, only 7 seconds and 525 energy – that’s a windswell, and it’s blown out by 15 mph winds. Not great.

Saturday the 12th has a chunky 4ft SW in the morning, 14-second period, but the energy is strong at 1115 (moderate). The afternoon brings 5ft SSW, 16 seconds, and a massive 2192 energy (strong). The wind is cross-off, so it’s clean, but the tide or something’s making it marginal. It’s a good wave for intermediates, but too big for beginners.

Now, Sunday the 13th – that’s a standout. Glassy conditions in the morning, 4ft SSW, 14-second period, and 1008 energy (moderate). The wind is glassy, absolutely perfect. This is the best you’ll see for a while. The afternoon gets a bit weird with an 8ft SE swell, 10 seconds, and 2066 energy (strong), but it’s cross-shore and a bit lumpy. The morning is the time.

Then we hit a dead zone. Monday the 14th through Tuesday the 15th are poor – onshore winds, lumpy, no quality. Wednesday the 16th morning picks up again with a 7ft SW, 15 seconds, and 2858 energy (strong). Cross-off wind, clean, but it’s big – only for experienced surfers. The afternoon is similar but smaller.

Thursday the 17th and Friday the 18th are clean with cross-off winds, but the swell hangs around 4ft to 5ft, moderate energy. Friday afternoon actually gets offshore wind, 5ft SW, 13 seconds, and 692 energy – that’s clean and fun, a good session for intermediates.

Saturday the 19th is glassy again in the morning, 4ft SW, 12 seconds, 388 energy – small but clean. A nice mellow session.

But the real highlight is Monday the 21st of September. Morning: 8ft SSW, 17 seconds, and a massive 4556 energy (very strong). Offshore wind, clean. This is a serious groundswell, very long period, so it’ll be powerful and perfect for the reef setup. Afternoon is similar at 8ft, 16 seconds, 3232 energy. This is the best of the whole run – for experts only, no beginners. The crowd is sometimes around, so you might have a few out, but with that size, it’ll be worth it.

After that, Tuesday the 22nd and Wednesday the 23rd go downhill fast – onshore winds, lumpy, messy. Wednesday the 23rd morning has a 12ft WSW, but it’s cross-on and choppy, just a washing machine.

So, the standout is Sunday the 13th morning for the glassy, clean conditions, and Monday the 21st for the big, powerful groundswell.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Tue afternoon, min 15°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 24°C on Sun afternoon, min 16°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Tue
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
0
0
2
2
1
1
2
1
3
3
3
4
4
3
2
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SW
11
0.4
SW
15
0.6
SW
13
0.6
SW
13
0.6
SSW
17
1.5
SW
15
1.3
SW
14
1.2
SW
13
1
SW
12
1.9
S
7
1.7
SSE
7
1.2
SW
14
1.6
SSW
16
2.5
SSE
9
1.3
SSW
14
2.5
SE
10
0.9
SW
13
0.7
SW
12
0.6
SW
12
0.6
SSW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
96
75
109
106
214
924
647
473
277
316
302
606
1354
1083
617
1200
245
154
112
91
Wind (km/h)
10
S
5
SE
10
SSW
15
S
5
SE
15
S
20
S
15
SE
15
SE
25
SSE
15
ESE
20
SE
20
SE
15
ESE
5
ENE
5
SSW
15
NE
15
NW
20
NNW
25
N
Wind State
cross
glassy
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
glassy
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross
High Tide
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
4:58PM1.55m
Low Tide
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
10:48AM0.16m
11:14PM0.17m
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
cloud
light rain
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:52
6:50
6:50
6:48
6:47
6:46
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:30
6:30
6:31
6:32
6:32
6:34
6:35
 mm
2
4
Temp °C
26
22
20
20
16
18
18
15
19
22
16
18
22
18
21
24
20
20
16
15
Feels °C
25
22
19
19
15
17
16
12
17
20
13
16
20
16
22
25
20
19
15
12
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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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