
Surf Forecasts:
Tubes surf forecast from 26 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 3 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 27 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, SSW swell with 7,262 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 27 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 12s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Tubes this week:
The surf forecast for Tubes over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 27) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Tubes in the next 16 days are 3.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 27) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 9s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 01) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Mon 27th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Mon 3rd Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Mon 27th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tubes over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. The window ahead has a big, powerful run of swell at Tubes, but you’ve gotta pick your moments.
Right now, we’re in a waiting game. The first solid recommendation isn’t until Tuesday August 3rd. The week prior sees a lot of onshore wind and choppy conditions, with the swell getting up to 10 ft in the afternoon of July 27th, but the wind is cross-off and there’s a lot of energy in the water – 5499 combined energy – but the conditions are just too messy. We’ve got a block of poor surf from July 28th right through to August 2nd.
The standout period kicks off on Monday morning, August 3rd. The swell at Tubes is a solid 7 ft from the SW with a period of 14 seconds, pushing moderate to strong energy (1999). The wind is WSW and cross-off, keeping it clean. That’s the start of a good run. By Monday afternoon, the wind swings SSW and goes offshore, with a 7 ft SW groundswell – still clean and very good. This will be a proper session for the experienced crew.
Then Thursday morning, August 6th is the true highlight. Tubes lights up with a 8 ft SW swell, 14-second period, and the wind is light offshore from the SW. The combined energy jumps to 2599. The file calls it excellent for experienced surfers, and I’d say that’s about right. That’s a serious, powerful reef-and-point wave with clean conditions – if you can handle the size, this is the one to aim for.
Friday and Saturday of that same week are huge. Friday afternoon, August 7th, you’ve got 10 ft of SW groundswell with a 15-second period, and it’s glassy with NNE wind. That’s a rare combination of size and perfection, with 3390 combined energy. Then Saturday, August 8th is all-day glassy – morning and afternoon – with 10 ft SW swell, 14-second period, and energy over 3800. Both days are excellent for experts only. This level of consistency and quality is a real standout.
The swell fades after that. Sunday August 9th still has a 7 ft SW swell but cross-on wind, and by Monday August 10th it’s dropping to 4 ft with cleaner conditions but much less power.
The water temperature is about average for this time of year – nothing unusual to report there.
Crowds at Tubes can be an issue sometimes, but with this kind of size and the fact it’s a sheltered reef-and-point break, the lineup should be manageable for those who know what they’re doing.
So, bottom line: the best surf is from Monday August 3rd through Saturday August 8th, with Thursday through Saturday being the top-tier window. If you’re an experienced surfer, don’t miss that Saturday glass-off. For beginners, the swell is too big most of that week, so keep an eye on the smaller days around August 10th if you want safer waves.
Stay safe out there.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Mon night. Warm (max 23°C on Sun night, min 13°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Sun night, fresh winds from the WSW by Mon morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | ||||||||||||||
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 17 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 14 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
765 | 1065 | 5160 | 6823 | 3135 | 2708 | 2141 | 1387 | 1308 | 1235 | 1144 | 1027 | 996 | 784 | 437 | 236 | 367 | 298 | 286 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 2:32AM1.34m | 3:02PM1.34m | 3:06AM1.43m | 3:33PM1.44m | 3:37AM1.50m | 4:02PM1.53m | 4:06AM1.55m | 4:31PM1.59m | 4:35AM1.57m | 4:59PM1.64m | 5:04AM1.57m | 5:27PM1.66m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:26PM0.49m | 8:51AM0.34m | 9:02PM0.39m | 9:22AM0.24m | 9:34PM0.31m | 9:50AM0.16m | 10:04PM0.25m | 10:17AM0.10m | 10:34PM0.20m | 10:44AM0.07m | 11:04PM0.18m | 11:12AM0.07m | 11:34PM0.18m | ||||||
— | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | |
5:36 | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | |
mm | — | — | 1 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 14 | 16 | 19 | 15 |
Feels °C | 19 | 11 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 17 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | E 8 | SW 12 | E 9 |
765 | 1065 | 5160 | 6823 | 3135 | 2708 | 2141 | 1387 | 1308 | 1235 | 1144 | 1027 | 996 | 784 | 437 | 212 | 546 | 298 | 691 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | S 8 | — | — | S 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 13 |
479 | 590 | 21 | 14 | 15 | 190 | — | — | 7 | 264 | 372 | 450 | 460 | 175 | 280 | 236 | 367 | 33 | 286 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 9 | — | — | — | — | — | SW 18 | SW 16 | — | S 11 |
15 | 29 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | 41 | — | 61 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WSW 7 | SSW 7 | — | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | — | — | — | — | E 9 | E 6 | E 7 | — | E 8 | — |
— | 332 | 339 | — | 412 | 362 | 230 | 289 | 251 | — | — | — | — | 427 | 249 | 521 | — | 616 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 140 | 644 | 352 | 198 | 198 | 172 | 172 | 198 | 9 | 52 | 140 | 23 | 30 | 198 | 30 | 172 | 140 | 140 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape (South) | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Tubes Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Tubes provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Tubes can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Tubes 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 (Tubes) 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 Tubes 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.
Tubes is 19 km (12 miles) from the city of Kruisfontein. If you plan a holiday in Eastern Cape (South), look for hotels and other accommodation in Kruisfontein. Kruisfontein has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










