Surf Forecasts:
Tubes surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 2 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, SW swell with 4,103 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 13s period with WSW 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 (Aug 29) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 13s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Tubes in the next 16 days are 3.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.4m 7s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 05) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tubes over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let me break down what’s happening at Tubes. It’s a reef and point set-up that really likes swell from the SSW direction, and we’ve got a solid run of SW groundswell heading our way.
The best window is from Sunday, August 30th. That afternoon, you’re looking at a 7ft SW swell with a light offshore wind from the SW. The water energy is strong (1244), and the water temp is about normal for the time of year. It’s clean, it’s got power, and that’s your session to circle. The morning of that day is a bit rougher with a 7ft swell and a cross-offshore wind, so it’s surfable but not as good.
Monday, August 31st, still has a nice 6ft SW swell, but the wind is light and cross-off in the morning, so it stays clean enough. Afternoon goes cross-shore and gets weaker. Tuesday, September 1st, is another standout. Morning has a light offshore breeze and 7ft SW swell with moderate energy (1130)—clean. The afternoon builds to 8ft with the same offshore wind and strong energy (1805). Really good shape.
Now, from Wednesday, September 2nd, the wind starts messing things up. Wednesday morning sees a huge 12ft SW swell with very strong energy (4041), but a light cross-shore wind makes it lumpy. That size is for experts only, and Tubes can get crowded. From Wednesday afternoon through to September 8th, the wind goes onshore and cross-onshore, turning the surf choppy and poor. There’s a gap of several days with nothing worth paddling out for.
We get another look on Friday, September 11th. A fresh offshore wind from the SW returns, with a 5-6ft SW swell and a very long period of 15-16 seconds. Energy is solid (1357-1808), but it’s marginal. That long period will work great at this point break, but it’s a week and a half out—promising but less certain.
September 12th and 13th bring another pulse of big 10ft SW swell, but the wind is cross-shore and then cross-onshore again, so it’s messy and only for the brave.
Bottom line: nail Sunday afternoon, August 30th, and Tuesday, September 1st. The rest has moments but gets blown out.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 27°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri night, fresh winds from the SW by Sat afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Thu morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, fresh winds from the SE by Thu morning). | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 12 | S 11 | SW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | S 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
384 | 260 | 230 | 233 | 851 | 768 | 1182 | 929 | 913 | 754 | 1127 | 1805 | 3936 | 4041 | 3204 | 2356 | 1834 | 1100 | 2323 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 4:10AM1.64m | 4:29PM1.77m | 4:39AM1.64m | 4:57PM1.78m | 5:08AM1.61m | 5:26PM1.74m | 5:40AM1.54m | 5:58PM1.65m | 6:14AM1.43m | 6:35PM1.52m | 6:53AM1.29m | 7:20PM1.36m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:09PM0.09m | 10:15AM0.00m | 10:38PM0.05m | 10:42AM-0.00m | 11:07PM0.06m | 11:11AM0.04m | 11:38PM0.10m | 11:41AM0.11m | 00:12AM0.19m | 12:15PM0.23m | 00:51AM0.32m | 12:56PM0.38m | 1:44AM0.48m | ||||||
— | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
5:59 | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 7 | 4 | 2 |
Temp °C | 26 | 27 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 17 |
Feels °C | 22 | 22 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | E 10 | E 11 | WSW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 13 | ENE 9 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 14 |
384 | 262 | 227 | 233 | 347 | 456 | 1182 | 929 | 913 | 754 | 1127 | 1805 | 28 | 4041 | 3204 | 2356 | 1834 | 1100 | 553 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | S 11 | SW 13 | E 12 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 5 | SSW 16 | E 8 |
282 | 260 | 230 | 213 | 119 | 74 | 47 | 80 | 100 | 68 | 63 | 47 | 42 | 16 | 24 | 24 | 13 | 196 | 12 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | WSW 13 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 8 |
114 | 222 | 164 | 66 | 21 | 20 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 6 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 25 | 25 | 12 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 3 | WSW 4 | SW 5 | SW 5 | SW 10 | SW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 13 | — | — | E 5 | — | S 6 | S 11 |
2 | 13 | 51 | 69 | 851 | 768 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3936 | — | — | 29 | — | 148 | 2323 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 64 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 66 | 198 | 0 | 297 | 180 | 1391 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape (South) | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.











