Tubes Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.02° S 24.93° E

Tubes Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 20 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, 2PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 14s period, SW swell with 6,042 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 14s period with SSW 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 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 4.0m 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 2PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 2PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11AM (Thu 20th Aug)13ft (4.0m) 14s
Best Surf11AM (Thu 20th Aug)13ft (4.0m) 14s
Most Powerful 2PM (Thu 20th Aug)13ft (4.0m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, this is Rusty. Let's get into it.

First off, the water at Tubes is running at a super chilly 55°, which is a massive 11° colder than usual for this time of year. That’s seriously unusual, so you’ll want a thick suit and booties if you’re heading out.

The forecast starts with a bang on Thursday, August 20th, and it's a big one. We’ve got a solid 13 ft SSW groundswell wrapping in with a 14-second period. The combined energy is massive (6035), so it’s powerful. It’s a solid cross-off breeze, so the face will be clean. This is expert-only territory—over 8 ft and heavy. The morning is the pick, with the afternoon dropping to 12 ft but still holding strong. This is the standout swell of the whole window.

Friday the 21st sees the swell drop to 8 ft, but the wind switches to a cross-on from the east, which will mess with the shape. By afternoon, it gets choppy and ugly under a 16 mph breeze. Saturday the 22nd is a write-off—strong 25 mph winds, even if they are cross-off, will make it messy and tough.

Sunday, August 23rd, is the next real highlight. The swell is a clean 8 ft from the southwest, but the wind is absolutely glassy in the morning. It’s a classic. The combined energy is still strong (1585), and with that 11-second period, it will have punch. This is a solid intermediate day, and with the glass-off, it’s going to be perfect. The crowd factor is "sometimes," so you might have some company, but it’ll be worth it.

Monday the 24th is a good follow-up with clean offshore winds and 7 ft to 6 ft waves. Nice, clean, and fun. Tuesday the 25th sees a bump in size with an 8 ft SW swell and a very long 14-second period, but the cross-on wind from the east kills it. By afternoon, it’s a lumpy mess.

The middle of the week (Wednesday 26th to Friday 28th) is smaller, with waves in the 4 ft to 5 ft range. The winds are mostly offshore or cross-off, so it’s clean. This is good for logs or a fun mid-length board. The energy is moderate (701-1168), so it’s not going to be a barn burner, but it’s surfable.

Then, hold onto your leash for Saturday, August 29th. The afternoon sees a big spike to 10 ft from the SW with a 14-second period and a strong energy reading (3789). The wind is a clean cross-off from the SSE. This is another expert-only session, with plenty of power.

Sunday the 30th gets blown out by strong onshore winds, and Monday the 31st gets back to clean, punchy 8 ft surf with good energy (2233). The first two days of September are a mixed bag, with a lot of wind, but Wednesday, September 2nd, is a beauty. The morning is 8 ft, and the afternoon bumps to 10 ft with glassy conditions. The period is 15 seconds in the morning and 14 in the afternoon. This is a proper, long-period groundswell that will be making the most of Tubes' reef and point setup. The energy is strong (2368 and 3427). This is a standout for the second week.

Thursday September 3rd is big but a bit windy, and Friday the 4th wraps up the run with a clean 8 ft to 10 ft southerly groundswell under offshore winds. A solid end to the forecast.

So, the two true standouts: Thursday morning, August 20th for the biggest, most powerful swell of the run, and Sunday morning, August 23rd for the perfect glassy conditions. For the second week, Wednesday, September 2nd is your best bet, but it's a long-range call, so keep an eye on it.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

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

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
5
4
4
2
0
2
0
1
3
3
2
4
3
3
2
1
0
2
1
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
4
SSW
14
3.5
SW
13
3
SW
13
2.5
SW
12
2.2
SW
12
1.7
SSW
11
2.3
SW
11
1.7
SSW
12
2.3
SW
11
2.5
SW
11
2.4
SW
12
2.5
SW
13
2.1
SW
12
1.9
SW
12
1.7
SW
12
2.5
SW
14
2.3
SW
13
2.3
SW
14
1.4
SW
13
1.4
SSW
12
1.5
SSW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
6035
4873
2815
1742
1324
662
1279
822
1310
1585
1584
2063
1169
997
781
2371
1783
2232
700
585
595
Wind (km/h)
15
WSW
15
SSW
5
WNW
5
E
25
ESE
5
NNE
40
WSW
30
WSW
15
W
5
SW
10
SE
5
NNW
10
SSW
15
SW
10
NNW
15
E
30
E
10
NE
15
N
15
NNW
15
NNW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross
glassy
off
off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
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
3:10PM1.52m
3:15AM1.54m
Low Tide
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
8:58AM0.21m
9:14PM0.25m
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
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
6:47
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:52
5:53
5:53
5:54
5:55
5:57
5:57
 mm
Temp °C
16
17
14
15
16
14
17
17
16
16
16
14
17
17
14
17
20
15
28
32
29
Feels °C
14
14
13
13
12
11
10
10
14
16
14
13
16
15
13
14
15
12
25
26
24
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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