
Surf Forecasts:
Tubes surf forecast from 10 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 16s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 12 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 17s period, SSW swell with 3,083 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 10 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 13s 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 Thursday (Sep 10) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 13s period. 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 2.3m 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 5PM (Thu 10th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tubes over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on offer. The next few weeks at Tubes are a real mixed bag, but there are some absolute gems hiding in there if you’re willing to wait.
We kick off on Thursday, September 10th with a solid pulse of groundswell. Thursday morning sees a clean 3ft SSW swell with a very long 17-second period. The wind is offshore from the WSW, so the lineup is going to be clean and organised. The combined energy is moderate (960). It’s a lovely start, but the real action is Thursday afternoon. The swell jumps to 7ft from the SW, period still a long 16 seconds, and the offshore wind holds. The energy cranks up to strong (2017). This is proper surf, but at that size, it’s for the experienced crew only. The water temp is about average for the time of year, so no surprises there.
Friday morning, September 11th, is still decent. The swell drops a touch to 6ft from the SW, period 13 seconds, with a light cross-offshore breeze from the SE keeping things clean. The energy is still strong (1211). It’s a good option, but the wind shifts in the afternoon to a moderate cross-onshore, and the quality drops right out. That’s pretty much it for the first week, mate. Saturday through to Monday are dominated by cross-onshore winds and choppy, lumpy conditions. The swell sticks around, but the wind ruins it. There’s a window on Monday afternoon with a clean cross-offshore breeze, but the swell is only 4ft and the energy is weak (437), so it’s only marginal.
The next real standout doesn’t show up until Wednesday, September 16th. The morning brings a clean 7ft SW swell, with a very long 16-second period, and a fresh offshore wind from the SW. The energy is very strong (3731). The wind is fresh, so it’ll be a bit bumpy on the surface, but still clean. The afternoon is even better, with 7ft of SW swell and a moderate offshore wind, energy still very strong (3430). This is a solid day for the experienced surfer.
But the absolute best of the whole forecast window is Thursday, September 17th. Get this: an 8ft SSW swell, 13-second period, with glassy conditions. The wind is virtually nothing from the SSE, and the energy is strong (1815). It’s a brief, perfect window. The crowd situation at Tubes can be “sometimes” busy, so get out early on that Thursday morning – it’s going to be a session to remember.
After that, the wind turns ugly again until Saturday, September 19th. That Saturday afternoon is another cracker: 8ft of SW swell, 15-second period, with a moderate offshore wind from the WSW. The energy is very strong (2553). It’s excellent for experienced surfers, but it’s not as clean as the Thursday session.
There’s a long gap of poor conditions until Monday, September 21st. And that Monday morning is the real wildcard. It’s a standout: 12ft of SSW swell, 15-second period, and the wind is glassy. Absolutely glassy. The combined energy is extreme (7384). This is a monster session for experts only. The swell is massive, but with that period and that wind, Tubes will be firing. If you are not an expert, stay well clear. The afternoon stays good with a 10ft SSW swell and a moderate offshore wind, but the morning is the magic hour.
The final week pretty much falls apart, with strong onshore winds and messy, lumpy conditions. A few marginal windows appear, but nothing worth getting excited about. The run from September 22nd onwards is a write-off.
So, the clear standouts are the Thursday morning, September 17th, for the glassy conditions and solid swell, and the Monday morning, September 21st, for the sheer power and size, but only for the brave. Saturday afternoon, September 19th, is a solid backup.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 23°C on Wed night, min 16°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri morning, fresh winds from the ESE by Sat afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Mon morning. Warm (max 24°C on Tue afternoon, min 16°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ESE on Sat night, calm by Tue afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | ||||||||||||||
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 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | ESE 9 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 18 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
326 | 481 | 2009 | 1762 | 1204 | 956 | 561 | 301 | 1246 | 2731 | 1956 | 1965 | 804 | 543 | 437 | 268 | 376 | 403 | 1415 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:02AM1.61m | 3:22PM1.77m | 3:36AM1.66m | 3:54PM1.83m | 4:07AM1.67m | 4:24PM1.83m | 4:37AM1.64m | 4:53PM1.77m | 5:06AM1.58m | 5:20PM1.67m | 5:33AM1.48m | 5:46PM1.53m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:01PM0.11m | 9:09AM0.03m | 9:35PM0.03m | 9:41AM-0.02m | 10:07PM-0.00m | 10:10AM-0.03m | 10:36PM0.01m | 10:39AM0.02m | 11:04PM0.07m | 11:06AM0.10m | 11:30PM0.16m | 11:33AM0.21m | 11:56PM0.27m | ||||||
— | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | |
6:07 | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 3 | — | 1 | 8 | — | 2 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 23 | 16 | 22 | 24 | 18 |
Feels °C | 22 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 13 | 20 | 23 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 15 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | SSW 18 |
326 | 479 | 2009 | 1762 | 1204 | 956 | 561 | 285 | 1246 | 2731 | 1956 | 1554 | 1916 | 1330 | 1208 | 1137 | 599 | 375 | 1415 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | SSW 17 | E 10 | E 9 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | S 15 | SW 14 | SSW 10 | — | — | — | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | E 10 |
108 | 481 | 88 | 64 | 7 | 47 | 4 | 301 | 104 | — | — | — | 804 | 543 | 437 | 268 | 376 | 403 | 196 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | E 10 | SSE 9 | — | ENE 9 | — | SE 14 | SSW 10 | SE 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 4 | SW 15 | SSW 23 | E 10 |
22 | 90 | 8 | — | 26 | — | 8 | 110 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 60 | 204 | 233 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 3 | W 4 | WSW 4 | SW 4 | — | E 10 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 10 | — | W 4 | — | — | — | SW 11 |
2 | 30 | 20 | 19 | — | 153 | 220 | 276 | 554 | 1204 | 1376 | 1965 | 2493 | — | 10 | — | — | — | 627 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 198 | 140 | 198 | 595 | 198 | 198 | 198 | 59 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 142 | 0 |
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.










