
Surf Forecasts:
Tubes surf forecast from 14 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 21 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 21 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, SSW swell with 7,950 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 15 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 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 Wednesday (Jul 15) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m 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 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 21) 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 1.5m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Wed 15th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Tue 21st Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tubes over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's coming up for Tubes.
We're in for a solid run, but it's a bit of a slow start. The first proper surfable waves don't show up until Wednesday afternoon, so you've got a quiet Monday and Tuesday getting things sorted. The water at Tubes is sitting a bit colder than normal for this time of year, at 64°.
Wednesday 15th July – The afternoon is where it kicks off. We've got a 2ft swell from the SW, with a short period of 8 seconds, so it's a bit of a windswell bump. But the wind is offshore and light, making it clean. The energy is moderate (563). It's a fun, manageable size for intermediates.
Thursday 16th July – This is the first real standout. Thursday morning sees a 10ft SW groundswell with a 14-second period, making it powerful and long-period. The combined energy is very strong (3140). The wind is cross-off and light, keeping it clean. This is big, excellent surf for experienced surfers only. The afternoon drops slightly to 8ft, still excellent.
Friday 17th July – Another big morning, 10ft SW swell with a 12-second period, and very strong energy (2580). Light cross-off wind keeps it clean. The afternoon turns a bit messy with a cross-shore wind, so get on it early.
Saturday 18th July – We get a bit of a breather. The swell drops to around 4ft, but the wind goes glassy in the afternoon. The energy is moderate (552). It's a good day for a beginner or a longboard, but it's inconsistent.
Sunday 19th July – The swell is back. We've got a 7ft SW groundswell in the morning, building to 8ft in the afternoon. The wind is offshore and clean. The energy is strong (2277). This is a very good, clean day for experienced surfers.
Monday 20th July – Another solid day. 8ft SW swell with a 12-second period, and light offshore winds all day. The energy is strong (2017). Excellent, clean conditions.
Tuesday 21st July – This is the absolute standout of the whole forecast. Tuesday morning we have a 13ft SSW groundswell with a 15-second period, and glassy conditions. The energy is exceptional (7254). The afternoon goes up to 16ft from the SSW with a 16-second period, and the energy is massive (12546). This is pumping, but it's expert-only territory. The light offshore wind is perfect for a reef like Tubes.
Wednesday 22nd July – The swell stays big, with 12ft to 13ft SW groundswell. The energy is exceptional (11866 in the afternoon). This is still excellent for experts, but watch the wind direction.
Thursday 23rd July – Still big, with 16ft SW swell, but the wind picks up to a moderate breeze. The morning gets a bit sketchy, but the afternoon is clean with a moderate offshore wind. The energy is very strong (9542).
Friday 24th July – The swell is still 12ft, but the wind swings around to a cross-onshore, making it choppy and marginal. It's a day to give it a miss unless you're a glutton for punishment.
Saturday 25th July – Similar story. 10ft to 12ft swell, but onshore winds make it lumpy. Not great.
Sunday 26th July – The swell drops back to 8ft, but the wind is still cross-shore to cross-onshore. It's marginal.
Monday 27th July – We get a late pulse. 16ft WSW swell, but the wind is a strong cross-off. The energy is massive (13702). The morning is marginal for the wind, but the afternoon brings rain showers and a fresh offshore wind. It's a wildcard.
Tuesday 28th July – A strong easterly wind blows onshore, making the 12ft swell a messy, lumpy mess. Poor.
Wednesday 29th July – The swell is still 13ft, but the wind is cross-onshore, keeping it choppy and poor.
So, if you're looking for the best of the best, Tuesday 21st July is the day. The combo of a massive, long-period SSW groundswell and glassy, offshore winds is about as good as it gets for a reef like Tubes. Just know it's for experts only. The crowd at Tubes can be a hassle sometimes, but on a day like that, the lineup will be thinned out by the size. The Thursday 16th and Wednesday 22nd are also fantastic, clean days for experienced surfers.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 14°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Mon morning). Winds increasing (calm on Sat afternoon, strong winds from the WSW by Sun afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tue 21 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | WSW 7 | SW 8 | SW 10 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | S 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 13 | WSW 7 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
61 | 186 | 355 | 939 | 3095 | 2376 | 1703 | 2281 | 1590 | 651 | 434 | 186 | 638 | 785 | 2575 | 1455 | 1968 | 1627 | 1141 | 6389 | 7853 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross | on | on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | on | glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:10AM1.67m | 4:39PM1.70m | 4:52AM1.65m | 5:20PM1.72m | 5:32AM1.59m | 6:00PM1.69m | 6:10AM1.50m | 6:39PM1.62m | 6:48AM1.39m | 7:17PM1.51m | 7:26AM1.26m | 7:58PM1.38m | 8:10AM1.14m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:03PM0.12m | 10:25AM0.01m | 10:48PM0.10m | 11:04AM0.00m | 11:31PM0.12m | 11:41AM0.04m | 00:12AM0.19m | 12:17PM0.12m | 00:52AM0.28m | 12:52PM0.23m | 1:32AM0.39m | 1:29PM0.36m | 2:16AM0.49m | 2:10PM0.49m | |||||||
— | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | |
5:28 | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 21 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 17 |
Feels °C | 14 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 20 | 16 | 10 | 8 | 12 | 13 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | SW 10 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | S 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 13 | SSE 11 | SE 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 |
293 | 249 | 188 | 922 | 3095 | 2376 | 1703 | 2281 | 1590 | 651 | 434 | 157 | 638 | 386 | 278 | 1455 | 1968 | 1627 | 1141 | 6389 | 7853 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 11 | SW 6 | SW 12 | SW 15 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | S 9 | SW 10 | E 6 | SW 13 | E 7 | E 10 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SSW 14 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 |
39 | 101 | 192 | 939 | 141 | 185 | 141 | 100 | 100 | 129 | 192 | 56 | 238 | 17 | 30 | 171 | 142 | 145 | 504 | 81 | 81 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 17 | E 10 | — | — | — | — | S 15 | S 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | E 6 | E 10 | S 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SE 11 | E 10 | — |
61 | 53 | 116 | 128 | — | — | — | — | 17 | 145 | 155 | 186 | 39 | 30 | 29 | 17 | 17 | 8 | 123 | 8 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 5 | WSW 7 | SW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 10 | E 5 | — | WSW 9 | WSW 7 | SW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
29 | 186 | 355 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 242 | 67 | — | 181 | 785 | 2575 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 67 | 140 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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.











