
Surf Forecasts:
Tubes surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 16 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SW swell with 3,659 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 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 (Sep 14) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 12s 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 3.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 4.0m 9s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Mon 14th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tubes over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break it down. The first stretch is a dead zone – nine days of nothing worth mentioning. The first real sign of life shows up on Tuesday, September 15. In the morning you’ve got a 4ft SW swell with a clean offshore breeze from the WSW at 6 mph. The period is 11 seconds, so it’s a little short, but it’s clean. Combined energy is low at 335 – weak. By afternoon the swell bumps to 5ft from the SW, period drops to 10 seconds, but it stays clean with a light cross‑off. Not a barnstormer, but you can have a surf.
The water temperature on that first surfable day is a shock to the system: 60°F, which is 6°F colder than normal for this time of year – that’s very unusual, so you’ll want a thick suit.
The absolute standout of the whole outlook is Tuesday, September 22. The morning is glass – no wind – with a 5ft SW swell and a 13-second period. Combined energy is 736, solid moderate power. The break here is Tubes (reef and point), a consistent, sheltered spot that loves the SW swell direction. Crowds are possible, but on a glassy morning like this, you’ll be stoked to share the take‑off zone.
Later that week, Saturday, September 26 is another cracker: morning brings 7ft from the SSW with a 14-second period, a moderate offshore wind from the WSW at 12 mph, and combined energy at 1719 – strong. This is expert territory at that size. The afternoon stays clean with 7ft and a lighter offshore breeze.
The last few days have some big numbers – a 12ft SSW groundswell on Friday, September 25 with a very long 17-second period – but the wind is cross‑onshore and lumpy, making it more of a kite‑surfing day than a paddle session.
So, to sum it up: the two days to circle are Tuesday, September 22 for the glassy dawn patrol, and Saturday, September 26 for the clean, powerful afternoon session. Everything else is either waiting or fighting the wind.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Sun morning. Warm (max 22°C on Mon afternoon, min 16°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the E on Sun morning, calm by Tue morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 35mm), heaviest during Wed morning. Warm (max 20°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Wed afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | ||||||||||||||
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 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 11 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
1542 | 2928 | 2307 | 1649 | 961 | 543 | 444 | 303 | 278 | 370 | 990 | 3187 | 3144 | 1544 | 1401 | 1125 | 923 | 1070 | 1812 | 1569 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross |
High Tide | 4:24PM1.83m | 4:37AM1.64m | 4:53PM1.77m | 5:06AM1.58m | 5:20PM1.67m | 5:33AM1.48m | 5:46PM1.53m | 5:59AM1.37m | 6:12PM1.39m | 6:25AM1.24m | 6:38PM1.24m | 6:55AM1.09m | 7:11PM1.09m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:36PM0.01m | 10:39AM0.02m | 11:04PM0.07m | 11:06AM0.10m | 11:30PM0.16m | 11:33AM0.21m | 11:56PM0.27m | 11:59AM0.34m | 00:22AM0.40m | 12:25PM0.48m | 00:53AM0.54m | 12:56PM0.63m | 1:41AM0.68m | |||||||
— | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | |
6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | |
mm | — | 6 | 12 | 3 | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | 1 | 10 | 12 | 8 | — | — | 1 | 3 | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 19 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 17 |
Feels °C | 19 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 17 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | ESE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | SW 11 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
1542 | 2928 | 2307 | 1649 | 1618 | 1370 | 1076 | 1137 | 713 | 459 | 990 | 3187 | 3144 | 1544 | 1401 | 1125 | 923 | 1070 | 1812 | 1569 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 13 | — | — | — | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 10 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | S 7 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 |
7 | — | — | — | 961 | 543 | 444 | 303 | 278 | 370 | 317 | 204 | 162 | 152 | 273 | 268 | 397 | 375 | 315 | 259 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 5 | WSW 7 | SSW 15 | SW 16 | — | — | E 10 | SSE 6 | — | — | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 |
7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 55 | 57 | 152 | 508 | — | — | 284 | 70 | — | — | 33 | 33 | 20 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | SSE 5 | — | — | — | SSE 6 | ESE 9 | — | — | — |
355 | 1599 | 2762 | 2033 | 2135 | — | — | 49 | — | — | — | 94 | — | — | — | 60 | 336 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 140 | 198 | 198 | 198 | 142 | 52 | 64 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 140 | 140 | 140 | 171 | 198 | 180 | 140 | 140 | 172 |
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.










