
Surf Forecasts:
Strand (Pipe) surf forecast from 10 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 16s period, SW swell with 2,453 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 7s period with SSE 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 (Sep 12) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 15s is also forecast. 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 2.3m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 12) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sat 12th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Strand (Pipe) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty here, lookin' at what we've got on the cards for Strand (Pipe). Straight up, it's a mixed bag, and we're gonna have to be patient. There's a bit of a slow start, and while we get pulses of decent energy, the wind and conditions are gonna keep us on our toes.
We start off Thursday the 10th and Friday the 11th with some waist to chest high swell, around 3 ft to 5 ft. The energy is moderate, but the wind is a cross or cross-off, so it's a bit lumpy. Not really worth paddling out for, the reports are saying it's marginal. Saturday the 12th looks a touch better. The morning has a 4 ft SSW groundswell with a long 15 second period, and the energy is climbing. The wind is a cross-off, so it should be clean. The afternoon gets a bit punchier with a 6 ft SSW swell and the energy really kicks into gear, but it's still a cross-off breeze. It's a good sign, but the reports are still a little cautious.
Now, Sunday the 13th of September is where things get interesting. The morning is a true standout. We've got a clean 4 ft SSW swell, a solid 14 second period, and the wind is offshore from the ESE. The water temp is about 59°F, which is a touch cooler than usual for this time of year, but nothing crazy. The report says "expect very good surf conditions," and I'm feelin' that. The break is fairly consistent, so you should get some nice, clean lines. The afternoon fades a bit with a cross-off wind, so get your session in early.
We hit a real poor patch from Monday the 14th through Tuesday the 16th. The wind is howling onshore from the NNW and NW, making a mess of things. Swell drops right off, and the energy is weak. It's a kite-surfing special, not a paddle surfing one. Wednesday the 16th and Thursday the 17th see a return to cleaner conditions with a cross-off breeze and a 4 ft to 5 ft SW swell. The energy is back up, and the reports are improving. The morning of Thursday the 17th is particularly clean with an offshore wind, so that's a good session.
The weekend of the 20th and 21st looks promising but a bit more wild. Sunday the 20th has a solid 7 ft SSW groundswell with a long 17 second period. The energy is massive, and the wind is a clean cross-off. That's a decent swell, getting into expert territory, and it's a long period, so it'll be more walled up and better for a point or reef setup. The beach might be a bit straight. The wind is moderate, but it's clean. The following Monday the 21st still has some size (5 ft) and a strong offshore wind, which is a great sign for clean waves.
The final days from the 22nd to the 25th are all about smaller, cleaner waves. The mornings on the 22nd and 24th are glassy with offshore winds, but the swell is only 2 ft to 3 ft. It's small and clean, perfect for a longboard or a fun log, but not much push. The 25th is glassy and tiny. So, the best on offer is the Sunday the 13th morning session for the cleanest, most consistent waves, and the Sunday the 20th for the biggest, most powerful swell if you're an experienced surfer.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sat morning. Warm (max 21°C on Fri afternoon, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 39mm), heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 21°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the E on Sun night, strong winds from the NW by Tue afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SSW 15 | SSW 17 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 19 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | WSW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
924 | 647 | 529 | 277 | 307 | 175 | 750 | 1734 | 1117 | 672 | 493 | 295 | 190 | 140 | 90 | 234 | 951 | 2453 | 799 | 642 | 563 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 5:17AM1.37m | 5:28PM1.42m | 5:47AM1.26m | 5:58PM1.28m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 11:17AM0.27m | 11:43PM0.29m | 11:46AM0.38m | 00:13AM0.41m | |||||||
6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | |
— | 6:31 | — | — | 6:32 | — | — | 6:32 | — | — | 6:34 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:36 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 8 | — | — | — | 1 | 26 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 15 | 18 | 21 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 21 | 19 | 16 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 13 |
Feels °C | 16 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 17 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
924 | 647 | 529 | 277 | 193 | 150 | 750 | 1734 | 1117 | 672 | 493 | 295 | 190 | 140 | 90 | 142 | 951 | 2453 | 799 | 642 | 494 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | — | — | — | — | SSW 15 | S 7 | — | — | — | — | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SW 19 | SE 13 | ESE 12 | SW 8 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 |
3 | — | — | — | — | 85 | 97 | — | — | — | — | 81 | 19 | 43 | 7 | 234 | 7 | 15 | 283 | 531 | 563 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | SE 12 | SE 13 | — | NW 9 | SE 13 | S 9 | — | — | — | SSW 12 |
— | — | — | — | — | 86 | — | — | — | — | — | 23 | 26 | — | 3 | 7 | 6 | — | — | — | 133 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 3 | SSE 3 | SE 3 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | ESE 6 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SSE 7 | — | NW 4 | NW 5 | NNW 4 | NW 4 | NW 4 | — | S 7 | S 8 | SSE 7 |
4 | 3 | 3 | 201 | 307 | 175 | 63 | 331 | 309 | 160 | 127 | — | 13 | 60 | 15 | 17 | 52 | — | 250 | 458 | 188 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 46 | 46 | 10 | 47 | 47 | 0 | 6 | 987 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 5 | 135 | 33 | 30 | 144 | 189 | 44 | 302 | 25 | 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.










