
Surf Forecasts:
Tubes surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with 8,471 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 9s 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 Saturday (Jul 18) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 11s. 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 4.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tubes over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on offer at Tubes.
We’ve got a run of solid south-west groundswell rolling in, and the opening window kicks off from Saturday the 18th of July. That first afternoon brings a clean 5ft SW swell with light offshore wind. The water’s a touch colder than normal for this time of year at 64°, so you’ll want a decent winter suit. The combined swell energy is moderate (903).
Sunday the 19th keeps things clean through the morning with a little 5ft SW swell and barely any wind. Not huge but very rideable. By afternoon, wind cranks up hard from the WSW at 25 mph and the swell jumps to 8ft – it gets messy and rough. Wouldn’t bother unless you’re after a battle.
Monday the 20th is where it gets interesting. Morning glass-off conditions with a solid 7ft SW swell, moderate energy (2344), and light wind. This is for experienced surfers – it’s pushing overhead and clean. Afternoon holds at 6ft with light offshore breeze, still very good.
Tuesday the 21st sees the swell kick up to 8ft from the SSW with a proper long period of 14–15 seconds. That sort of period is best suited to Tubes because it’s a reef and point setup – long-period groundswell will wrap in and hold shape. The combined energy is strong (2402). It’s worth a look but the wind is a bit cross in the morning and cross-shore in the afternoon, so conditions are a bit marginal for perfection.
Wednesday the 22nd and Thursday morning the 23rd are decent – 7ft to 10ft SW / SSW swell with clean cross-off winds and moderate offshore flow. Thursday morning spikes to 10ft with 11-second period and excellent conditions for strong surfers, big energy (2431). That’s a standout session.
Thursday afternoon the wind goes cross-onshore and it gets choppy. Leave it.
Friday the 24th has a monster pulse: 13ft SSW groundswell with a 16-second period early and clean cross-off winds. That’s very strong energy (7473). Not for the faint-hearted. The afternoon is a gorgeous 12ft SSW swell with 15-second period and clean offshore wind. Best left to experienced crew who know the reef.
Saturday the 25th morning is about as good as it gets – 10ft SW groundswell, 14-second period, glassy conditions. Combined energy is strong (2995). That’s a standout. The afternoon drops to 8ft but gets a little funky with cross-shore wind.
From Sunday the 26th, the swell backs off a bit and the winds start to turn onshore or cross-off at times. Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th see another big push with 12ft SW swell but winds are messy – onshore and choppy, especially Tuesday afternoon. Not great.
The end of July and into early August is a mixed bag. Wednesday the 29th through Friday the 31st keep pumping 10ft+ SSW swell but with rain showers, strong winds, and lumpy conditions. Big but not clean. You’d need to be keen and experienced if you paddle out.
Then Saturday the 1st of August drops right back – small 5ft SW swell, glassy morning, clean but tiny. Not really a goer.
Sunday the 2nd of August is a curveball: 13ft from the ESE with an 11-second period and glassy conditions in the morning. That’s very rare for this spot and it would be huge. Energy is very strong (6324). If it lines up, that’s a specialist-only session.
Overall, the standout sessions are Thursday the 23rd morning and Saturday the 25th morning – both offer big, clean SW groundswell with good wind conditions. Friday the 24th afternoon is also a gem for experts. Tubes is a consistent reef and point break that handles the bigger swells well, especially the long-period stuff. Crowds can be a factor sometimes, so expect company on the better days.
That’s the call. – Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Mon night). Mainly strong winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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 10 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 9 | WSW 10 | SW 10 | SW 11 | SE 11 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
520 | 606 | 370 | 1058 | 1649 | 993 | 791 | 447 | 1254 | 2121 | 2135 | 1497 | 1144 | 1107 | 2343 | 1687 | 7222 | 7426 | 4823 | 3924 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:39PM1.62m | 6:48AM1.39m | 7:17PM1.51m | 7:26AM1.26m | 7:58PM1.38m | 8:10AM1.14m | 8:45PM1.26m | 9:10AM1.04m | 9:52PM1.15m | 10:51AM0.98m | 11:31PM1.11m | 12:39PM1.02m | 00:56AM1.15m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:52AM0.28m | 12:52PM0.23m | 1:32AM0.39m | 1:29PM0.36m | 2:16AM0.49m | 2:10PM0.49m | 3:10AM0.59m | 3:05PM0.61m | 4:31AM0.65m | 4:37PM0.69m | 6:18AM0.63m | 6:31PM0.67m | ||||||||
— | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | |
5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:34 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 15 | 17 | 20 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 15 |
Feels °C | 16 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SE 10 | SE 12 | SW 10 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
348 | 606 | 370 | 293 | 361 | 993 | 791 | 396 | 1254 | 2121 | 2135 | 1497 | 1144 | 1107 | 2343 | 1687 | 7222 | 7426 | 4823 | 3924 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | S 11 | SE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | SE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 |
49 | 231 | 216 | 33 | 29 | 407 | 488 | 447 | 311 | 281 | 180 | 186 | 177 | 121 | 88 | 64 | 48 | 47 | 31 | 30 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 9 | SW 13 | SW 12 | E 10 | E 10 | SSE 9 | E 10 | SSW 16 | E 10 | — | E 9 | ESE 14 | — | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | ESE 11 | — | — | — |
35 | 208 | 295 | 31 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 380 | 8 | — | 7 | 74 | — | 24 | 13 | 6 | 48 | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 10 | — | — | SW 9 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 4 | SW 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
520 | — | — | 1058 | 1649 | 928 | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 26 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 323 | 140 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 30 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 59 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape (South) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










