Surf Forecasts:
Tubes surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 14s period, SW swell with 5,868 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s 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 (Aug 18) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 13s 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 offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 10s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tubes over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, it’s Rusty. We’ve got a solid stretch at Tubes coming up. The water is way colder than usual for this season – about 54°F, which is nearly 12 degrees colder than normal. You’ll want a thick wetsuit.
It starts on Tuesday, August 18th, in the afternoon. We’re looking at a clean 10-foot swell from the southwest with a 13-second period. The wind is light offshore, and the combined energy is a strong 2483. This is real, heavy groundswell. Wednesday the 19th, morning is your best bet: 10-foot SW swell, a light 6 mph offshore breeze. The afternoon gets a bit more wind at 16 mph, still clean but with more texture.
Thursday the 20th is a standout: the morning brings a big 13-foot SW swell with a long 14-second period, light offshore wind, and a massive combined energy of 5868. This is only for experts. The afternoon holds at 12 feet with a cross-offshore breeze. Friday the 21st the wind turns onshore, and the surf turns to junk.
Saturday the 22nd is a total loss with gale-force 25 mph winds. Sunday the 23rd, morning has 12-foot SW swell, 12 mph offshore wind, and energy at 3260. The afternoon drops to 10 feet with lighter winds. Monday the 24th, we’ve got clean 8-foot to 5-foot SW swell all day with offshore breezes. Tuesday the 25th gets messy with onshore wind.
Wednesday the 26th is a gem: 6-foot SW swell in the morning with glassy, flat-calm conditions, and the afternoon drops to 5 feet, still glassy. This is the cleanest surf of the run. Thursday the 27th through Friday the 28th keeps that offshore flow with consistent 4-foot to 6-foot waves for all abilities.
Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th are blown out. Monday the 31st, a 8-foot SW swell with a very long 16-second period is hitting, but the wind is iffy. Tuesday, September 1st, is choppy, but Wednesday, September 2nd, finishes the run with a solid 7-foot clean swell.
The big highlight is the morning of Thursday, August 20th: 13-foot SW, 14-second period, light offshore wind, and energy at 5868. That’s heavy and clean, but for experts only. The glassy 6-foot session on Wednesday, August 26th, is the best bet for a fun, clean day. Crowds can be a thing here at Tubes on the good days, so get out early. Over and out – Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Sat afternoon, calm by Sun night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | ||||||||||||||
PM | 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 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | WSW 8 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 11 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 2483 | 3165 | 2536 | 2373 | 1292 | 5868 | 4527 | 2672 | 1638 | 1324 | 560 | 1896 | 840 | 2432 | 3260 | 2577 | 1702 | 1305 | 603 | 1467 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | on | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | glassy | off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 1:40PM1.10m | 1:44AM1.20m | 2:15PM1.24m | 2:18AM1.33m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:12AM0.45m | 1:09PM0.48m | 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 | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — |
 | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 13 |
Feels °C | 13 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 9 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | E 9 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | E 7 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 11 |
| kJ | 2483 | 3165 | 2536 | 27 | 1292 | 5868 | 4527 | 2672 | 1638 | 1324 | 560 | 15 | 583 | 2432 | 3260 | 2577 | 1702 | 1305 | 603 | 1467 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | — | WSW 11 | — | ENE 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 |
| kJ | 69 | 48 | 43 | 43 | 26 | 23 | 13 | 6 | 6 | — | 411 | — | 12 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 550 | 111 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 9 | SSW 15 | E 10 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 225 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SW 12 | SW 7 | — | — | — | — | E 4 | — | SW 11 | WSW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 3 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 2373 | 395 | — | — | — | — | 12 | — | 1896 | 840 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 52 | 0 | 140 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 183 | 0 | 143 | 180 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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.
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