Surf Forecasts:
Tubes surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 8,204 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 14s 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 (Aug 17) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 14s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Tubes in the next 16 days are 4.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 8AM. 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 Saturday (Aug 22) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 15ft (4.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 15ft (4.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tubes over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's get into it for Tubes. We've got a solid run of surf on the way, so let's break it down.
We're kicking off straight away. Monday the 17th, the swell is already here. Tubes is a reef and point set-up, and it's going to be absolutely cranking. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing weird going on. The first highlight is Monday morning with a 8ft SSW groundswell at 14 seconds and light offshore winds. The energy is pumping at 1886 (moderate to strong), and it's clean. That is a proper start.
The quality holds right through the week. Tuesday the 18th afternoon looks special with an 8ft SW groundswell at 13 seconds, light offshore wind, and the energy jumping to 2235. This is clean and powerful, a real treat for anyone with a bit of experience. Things ramp up again on Wednesday the 19th morning with a 10ft swell, but that's getting into the size where you need to know what you're doing. The wind is cross-off, but it's clean. Thursday the 20th sees the swell peak, with the morning hitting 12ft and the afternoon a solid 13ft, both from the SW with clean conditions. The energy on Thursday afternoon is massive at 5012. That's strong stuff, experts only.
Now, the absolute standout of the entire forecast window is Sunday the 23rd. We've got a 15ft SSW groundswell with a 14-second period, and the wind is offshore and light. The energy readings are off the chart at 7830 for the morning and 7020 for the afternoon. That is a serious, powerful groundswell with perfect wind. Tubes is a reef and point, which is exactly where you want to be for a long-period swell like this, as it won't just close out. This is the one to circle on your calendar. Just be aware that with a spot like Tubes, crowds are possible, so get in early.
The surf stays solid into the following week. Monday the 24th is another great one, with an 8ft S swell but a very long 16-second period and glassy conditions in the morning. That's a dreamy session, but that long period means the waves might run a bit straight at a beach break; at a point and reef like Tubes, it should be perfect.
The second week gets a bit more mixed. There's a definite drop in quality around the 25th with smaller, choppier onshore wind. But it builds back. The 26th has a 10ft SSW swell with a very long 17-second period, but the winds are a bit tricky. The 27th brings back the glassy conditions with a clean 7ft SW groundswell. Then Friday the 28th looks like another good day with a 7ft SW groundswell and clean offshore winds. It gets a bit windier and more marginal from the 29th onwards, with some strong breezes making conditions tough, even if the swell is still around. A couple of days at the end of August and into September have some size but the wind is not your friend.
All in all, this is a fantastic run of swell for Tubes. The first week is stacked, with Sunday the 23rd being the absolute king. The second week has its moments but requires more careful timing with the wind.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, fresh winds from the WSW by Wed afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, fresh winds from the WSW by Sat afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
821 | 1886 | 1915 | 1599 | 1589 | 2235 | 2702 | 2407 | 2257 | 1292 | 4800 | 5012 | 3217 | 1852 | 1396 | 1027 | 1580 | 2720 | 5960 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | off | off | cross-off | off | off | on | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:09AM1.45m | 6:29PM1.54m | 6:39AM1.33m | 6:59PM1.39m | 7:09AM1.19m | 7:31PM1.24m | 7:46AM1.06m | 8:17PM1.09m | 9:08AM0.94m | 10:35PM1.00m | 12:36PM0.96m | 00:52AM1.07m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:10AM0.20m | 12:11PM0.20m | 00:40AM0.32m | 12:39PM0.33m | 1:12AM0.45m | 1:09PM0.48m | 1:49AM0.58m | 1:47PM0.62m | 2:53AM0.70m | 3:08PM0.75m | 5:54AM0.72m | 6:33PM0.74m | |||||||
— | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | |
5:50 | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:53 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | E 8 | E 8 | — |
821 | 1886 | 1915 | 1599 | 1589 | 2235 | 2702 | 2407 | 2257 | 1292 | 4800 | 5012 | 3217 | 1852 | 1396 | 1027 | 5 | 5 | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 5 | E 8 | — | — |
119 | 229 | 185 | 143 | 100 | 71 | 48 | 44 | 27 | 25 | 23 | 13 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 5 | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 8 | — | — | — |
203 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 6 | — | — | — | NE 8 | — | WSW 4 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 12 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 287 | — | — | — | 18 | — | 15 | 1580 | 2720 | 5960 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 52 | 0 | 140 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 52 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 143 | 1 |
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.











