Tubes Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.02° S 24.93° E

Tubes Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 19 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Tubes sea temperature is
13.0° C
5.9° 

Tubes surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Tubes surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 14s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 14s period, SSW swell with 6,035 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 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 Thursday (Aug 20) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 14s 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 4.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 7s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 8PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8AM (Thu 20th Aug)11ft (3.5m) 14s
Best Surf11AM (Thu 20th Aug)13ft (4.0m) 14s
Most Powerful11AM (Thu 20th Aug)13ft (4.0m) 14s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tubes over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s get into it. This is a classic Tubes window, and it’s gonna be a wild ride.

We start off with a bang on Thursday, August 20. Tubes is pumping with a solid 13ft SSW swell, period a nice 14 seconds, and clean cross-off wind. The energy is massive – 6035 – and it’s all set up for experienced surfers only. This is the standout of the whole run. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing weird going on. The swell direction is a perfect match for the optimum SSW, so those reef and point waves are gonna be well-shaped and powerful. Crowds are possible, but with that size, it’s a serious session for the crew who know what they’re doing.

Thursday afternoon drops a bit to 12ft but still clean with offshore wind, and the energy is still strong at 4873. It’s still excellent for experienced surfers, but the morning is the real prize.

Friday, August 21, is a letdown. The swell drops to 8ft, but the wind goes cross-on, and the energy falls to 1742. By the afternoon, it’s a choppy mess with 25 km/h cross-on wind and a score of zero. Not worth paddling out.

Saturday, August 22, stays tricky. The morning has 8ft swell and clean cross-off wind, but the period is short at 11 seconds and the energy is moderate at 1727. The conditions are poor, so it’s not a goer. The afternoon drops to 5ft and is marginal.

Now we get a nice run from Sunday, August 23, through Monday, August 24. Sunday morning has 8ft SW swell with offshores and light wind, energy at 1464. It’s clean and very good surf conditions. The swell direction is a bit off from the optimum (SW vs SSW), but still good. Sunday afternoon and Monday stay clean with light winds, swell around 7ft to 6ft, and good energy. This is a solid, consistent stretch – not the biggest, but clean and fun.

Tuesday, August 25, brings a big-groundswell pulse: 10ft SW swell with a 16-second period, energy 5768. That’s a powerful, long-period swell, but it’s cross-on wind and the tide might be questionable. This kind of long-period swell can break too straight at beach breaks, but Tubes is a reef and point, so it should handle it well. Still, the morning is marginal, and the afternoon is poor with cross-on wind. A bit of a letdown given the size.

Wednesday, August 26, is small and weak, with 6ft and 5ft, and the wind is onshore or cross-on. Not much to get excited about.

Thursday, August 27, is a no-go in the morning with strong wind, but the afternoon is interesting: 5ft S swell, offshore wind, and moderate energy at 754. It’s a small south swell, not the optimum direction, but it’s clean and could be a sneaky session for a longboard or a quieter paddle.

We then have a big gap from Friday, August 28, to Saturday, August 29, where the wind is strong and conditions are poor, with the swell dropping to 5ft or blowing up to 10ft with a near gale. Not good.

Sunday, August 30, is small again, with 5ft and cross-on wind, not worth chasing.

But then, Monday, August 31, into Tuesday, September 1, we get another massive pulse. Monday morning is 12ft SW swell, but cross-on wind and marginal. Monday afternoon is 13ft and poor. Tuesday, September 1, is the real deal: morning is 15ft SW swell, clean cross-off wind, and energy at 6326. The afternoon is even better – 15ft, offshore wind, and excellent conditions for experienced surfers. This is the second standout of the outlook. The energy is huge, the wind is perfect, and it’s all for the big-wave crew.

Wednesday, September 2, is a glassy morning with a 8ft SW swell, zero wind, and energy at 1753. It’s very good surf conditions – a perfect day for those who missed the bigger stuff. The afternoon stays clean at 7ft.

Thursday, September 3, to Friday, September 4, is a fade-out. Strong wind, small swell, and poor conditions. The last mention is a 4ft WSW swell with onshore wind.

So, the best on offer is clear: Thursday, August 20, morning is the top standout – massive, clean, and perfect direction. Tuesday, September 1, afternoon is a close second, with huge size and offshore wind. The Sunday-to-Monday stretch around August 23-24 offers consistent, clean waves for the intermediate crew. For the rest, it’s a mix of big but messy or small and clean. Keep an eye on that long-range stuff – it’s promising but less certain.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri morning, strong winds from the WSW by Sat morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
5
4
4
2
0
3
0
1
3
3
3
2
3
3
4
3
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.3
SW
12
4
SSW
14
3.5
SW
13
3
SW
13
2.5
SW
12
2.2
SW
12
1.7
SSW
11
2.4
SW
11
1.5
SSW
12
2.3
SW
9
2.5
SW
11
2.4
SW
11
2.3
SW
13
2
SW
12
1.7
SW
12
2.4
SSW
14
3
SW
16
3
SW
16
2.3
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1470
6035
4873
2815
1742
1324
662
1370
702
866
1464
1452
1619
1094
792
2250
4288
3641
1962
Wind (km/h)
25
WSW
15
WSW
15
SSW
5
WNW
10
E
25
ESE
5
N
40
WSW
30
WSW
10
WNW
10
SW
10
SSE
5
NNW
10
SSW
15
SW
15
WNW
5
N
20
ESE
15
NE
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross
off
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
on
High Tide
7:46AM1.06m
8:17PM1.09m
9:08AM0.94m
10:35PM1.00m
12:36PM0.96m
00:52AM1.07m
1:40PM1.10m
1:44AM1.20m
2:15PM1.24m
2:18AM1.33m
2:43PM1.39m
2:47AM1.44m
Low Tide
1:49AM0.58m
1:47PM0.62m
2:53AM0.70m
3:08PM0.75m
5:54AM0.72m
6:33PM0.74m
7:28AM0.60m
7:41PM0.62m
8:04AM0.46m
8:16PM0.49m
8:32AM0.33m
8:46PM0.36m
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:54
6:52
6:52
6:50
6:48
6:48
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:52
5:52
5:53
5:53
5:54
5:55
5:57
 mm
Temp °C
15
16
17
14
15
17
14
17
17
15
17
16
14
17
17
14
17
19
15
Feels °C
11
13
14
13
13
13
11
10
10
12
16
14
14
16
14
13
17
17
13
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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.

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