Surf Forecasts:
Tubes surf forecast from 31 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 18s period, SSW swell with 7,433 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 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 Tuesday (Sep 01) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 12s 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 3.5m 18s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 8s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Tue 1st Sep) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Sun 6th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tubes over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, let's have a look at what's on the cards. The whole 16-day window is basically a one-break story, and that break is Tubes. It's a reef and point set-up, consistent, and it's sheltered. The best of the action is definitely right at the start, and then again much later on.
We kick off on Tuesday, September 1st, with a solid start. Morning glass-off with a light SE breeze, 3 mph, and a clean 8 ft SW swell at 12 seconds. The combined energy is pumping at 1488 (moderate wave energy). That's a very good session waiting to happen. The water temp is about average for this time of year. Good stuff. Tuesday afternoon gets a bit cross-shore, and the swell bumps up to 8 ft, but it's still a decent option.
The real standout of the first week lands on Wednesday, September 2nd. The morning is a classic: glassy conditions, 3 mph wind, and a solid 10 ft SW groundswell at 13 seconds. The combined energy is a very strong 3415. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. With that size and period, it's best left to the crew who know what they're doing. It could be a bit much for beginners. The afternoon sees the wind shift and the conditions get a little lumpy, but the morning window is pure gold.
Thursday, September 3rd, drops off a bit. The swell is still 8 ft from the SSW, but the wind is cross-offshore and stronger, and the morning has light rain. The energy is still moderate at 1799, but it's not the same quality as the day before. Not a write-off, but not a standout.
Then we hit a long, dry spell. From Friday, September 4th, right through to Friday, September 11th, the conditions are poor. The wind is onshore or cross-onshore, mostly fresh to strong, and the swell is messy. There's a big spike of energy on Sunday, September 6th, with an 12 ft, 18-second groundswell hitting 7564 (very strong wave energy), but the wind is howling from the ESE at 22 mph, making it a lumpy, blown-out mess. That one is a kite-surfing setup, not a paddle-surfing one. This stretch of weak or poor-quality surf goes on for about a week.
The ocean starts to wake up again on Friday, September 11th. The afternoon looks promising with a light cross-offshore breeze and a 6 ft SW swell at 11 seconds. The energy is 901 (moderate). It's a decent return to form.
The next real standout, and the best call of the whole forecast if you can wait, is on Wednesday, September 16th. That's a long way out, so there's a bit of uncertainty, but it looks special. The morning offers a glassy 10 ft SSW groundswell with a very long 16-second period. The combined energy is a massive 3965 (strong wave energy). The wind is a gentle offshore from the WSW at 9 mph. That is a recipe for clean, powerful, lined-up waves at Tubes. For experienced surfers only, but it's the one to circle on the calendar.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 47mm), heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 15°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SE on Thu night, moderate winds from the E by Fri night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | ESE 8 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 17 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
836 | 1488 | 2111 | 3809 | 3415 | 2873 | 2235 | 1799 | 742 | 4243 | 1608 | 766 | 469 | 366 | 358 | 632 | 7433 | 4658 | 2279 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 5:40AM1.54m | 5:58PM1.65m | 6:14AM1.43m | 6:35PM1.52m | 6:53AM1.29m | 7:20PM1.36m | 7:49AM1.14m | 8:32PM1.19m | 9:45AM1.02m | 10:56PM1.12m | 12:16PM1.11m | 00:45AM1.23m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:38PM0.10m | 11:41AM0.11m | 00:12AM0.19m | 12:15PM0.23m | 00:51AM0.32m | 12:56PM0.38m | 1:44AM0.48m | 1:55PM0.54m | 3:16AM0.61m | 4:00PM0.66m | 5:47AM0.59m | 6:28PM0.58m | |||||||
— | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | |
6:00 | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 11 | 42 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 14 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 9 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 |
836 | 1488 | 2111 | 3809 | 3415 | 2873 | 2235 | 1799 | 742 | 341 | 655 | 422 | 367 | 366 | 358 | 286 | 7433 | 4658 | 2279 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 9 | E 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | E 9 | — | WSW 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | SSW 17 | WSW 10 | SSE 8 | SE 8 |
70 | 64 | 48 | 29 | 27 | 26 | 14 | 15 | 13 | — | 207 | 254 | 108 | 105 | 76 | 632 | 20 | 280 | 216 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 12 | S 14 | E 10 | E 10 | WSW 10 | — | — | — |
8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 174 | 144 | 31 | 31 | 58 | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 9 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 6 | ESE 5 | SE 7 | E 7 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 632 | 4243 | 1608 | 766 | 469 | 231 | 186 | 123 | 111 | 741 | 382 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 180 | 0 | 0 | 191 | 425 | 1764 | 1764 | 198 | 562 | 601 | 198 | 595 | 595 | 198 |
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.











