Surf Forecasts:
Tubes surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 13s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 3,866 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 10s 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 Sunday (Aug 30) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 14s. 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 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 12s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 30) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tubes over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let’s have a look at what’s comin’ our way for Tubes. It’s a bit of a mixed bag to start, but there’s some real magic hiding in the middle of the outlook.
The forecast kicks off on Sunday, August 30th, with a solid SW groundswell rolling in at 7ft. The wind is a touch on the cross-off side, keeping things clean enough, but honestly, the wrap-around energy is moderate (1257) and the tide might be a pain. It’s surfable, but we’re not firing on all cylinders just yet. The afternoon cleans up nicely with a proper offshore wind and a 7ft SW swell, and the wave energy is still moderate (1148). It’s a good session, but not the highlight.
Now, Monday, August 31st, is a cracker. The morning is pure glass, with a 6ft SW groundswell and a 12-second period. The energy is moderate (924), but that glassy wind and chest-high swell will have Tubes looking like a piece of art. This is a proper standout for a smooth, clean session. The afternoon gets a bit chopped up with a cross-shore, so get in early.
Tuesday, September 1st, is the real deal. The morning kicks off with a 8ft SW swell and a light offshore breeze. The wave energy is racking up nicely (1398). By the afternoon, we’ve got a 8ft SW swell with a 13-second period and a solid offshore wind. The energy is ramping up into the strong range (1805). This is the best on offer. Perfect, clean conditions, solid head-high to slightly overhead surf, and that offshore wind will have the barrels standing up. This is the one to circle on the calendar.
The swell continues to build into Wednesday, September 2nd, but the wind turns nasty. We’re looking at 10ft and 10ft SW groundswells, but with a cross-on wind and a cross-shore, the surface is going to be a mess. The energy is very strong (3743), but it’ll be a washing machine. Not for the faint-hearted, and definitely not for beginners.
Thursday, September 3rd, is a write-off. Massive 12ft to 13ft swell, but the wind is howling, with a near-gale on the afternoon. That’s big, dangerous, and ugly. Give it a miss.
The whole first week of September takes a downturn after Tuesday. Friday, the 4th, through to the end of the first week is blown out with strong cross-on winds and poor surf. The swell drops, but the wind stays poor. There’s a long gap of poor conditions for several days.
Now, look ahead to Sunday, September 6th. This is another standout. The morning is glassy again, with a 8ft SSW groundswell at a 14-second period. The wave energy is strong (2121). This is groundswell perfection, but with that long period, it can be a bit tricky on a beach break – it’ll be better if the banks are holding. For experienced surfers, this is a serious session. The afternoon stays clean with a light offshore.
The week after that is a bit of a write-off again. Strong winds on Monday, the 7th, and the swell drops right off. We get a tiny, clean 2ft SW swell on Tuesday, September 8th, with a 16-second period – that’s a very long period groundswell, but it’s knee-high. The energy is weak (540). It’s clean, but it’s a log day.
The outlook from the 9th to the 11th is mostly poor, with small swell and onshore winds. Then, on Saturday, September 12th, we get another big pulse – a 10ft SW groundswell, but with a cross-on wind. The energy is very strong (4282), but the wind will spoil it. It’s a kite-surfing setup more than a paddle one.
The final weekend of the outlook, Sunday, September 13th, is a messy one with a 8ft SW swell, but strong winds ruin it. The 14th of September sees a small, clean 5ft SW swell to finish, but it’s a bit of a whimper.
So, to sum it up: the absolute standouts are Tuesday, September 1st, for the best combination of size, wind, and energy, and Sunday, September 6th, for the glassy, long-period groundswell. Don’t bother with the rest of the second week unless you’re desperate.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat night, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the E on Wed morning, near gales from the SE by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | ||||||||||||||
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 6 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | S 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SW 12 | SSW 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
301 | 851 | 784 | 1250 | 913 | 913 | 897 | 1398 | 1805 | 3250 | 3743 | 3105 | 2305 | 1402 | 2545 | 1169 | 450 | 752 | 591 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | glassy | cross | glassy | off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 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 | 7:49AM1.14m | 8:32PM1.19m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 1:55PM0.54m | 3:16AM0.61m | ||||||
— | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
5:59 | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:02 | — | |
mm | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 14 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 13 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 12 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 10 | SW 12 | SSW 11 |
169 | 851 | 784 | 1250 | 913 | 913 | 897 | 1398 | 1805 | 3250 | 3743 | 3105 | 2305 | 1034 | 791 | 578 | 399 | 752 | 591 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 13 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SSW 16 | WSW 11 | SSE 8 | ESE 8 |
139 | 406 | 364 | 46 | 78 | 100 | 70 | 63 | 68 | 45 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 15 | 15 | 95 | 329 | 167 | 191 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 11 | E 11 | E 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | SE 10 | S 10 | E 4 | E 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | WSW 12 |
66 | 121 | 73 | 10 | 11 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 95 | 253 | 161 | 280 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | — |
301 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1402 | 2545 | 1169 | 450 | 313 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 140 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 560 | 30 | 143 | 66 | 462 | 690 | 3029 | 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.











