Surf Forecasts:
Tubes surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 13s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 4,435 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 16 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 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 Sunday (Aug 16) at 2PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 12s period. 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 Thursday (Aug 20) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 5PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tubes over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Howdy, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s headed to Tubes. We’ve got a solid block of surf on the way, one that’s going to get the heart rate up.
It kicks off on Sunday the 16th of August with a clean 5ft SW swell, period around 12 to 13 seconds. That’s a long-period groundswell, perfect for a reef and point setup. The combined energy is moderate at 854, and the water is a chilly 53°, an incredible 13° colder than usual for the time of year – that’s very unusual, so you’ll want a thick suit. Winds are offshore and cross-off, keeping the lines tidy.
Monday the 17th sees the swell build to 7ft to 8ft from the SW, period holding strong at 13-14 seconds, and the energy jumps into the strong range at 1788. Winds stay light and cross-off. This is proper quality surf, pushing into more serious territory.
By Tuesday the 18th, it’s on. Swell hits 8ft Tuesday afternoon with a massive combined energy of 2305 – that’s big, powerful surf and excellent for experienced surfers. Wednesday the 19th morning is a real standout: 10ft SW swell, 13-second period, and glassy conditions with a slight air. That’s a magic window for experts. The afternoon gets a 30 km/h offshore, still workable but more raw.
Thursday the 20th morning is another killer: 10ft clean with offshore wind and energy of 3543. That’s very strong power. The afternoon turns cross-shore with an 12ft swell, making it a bit scrappy.
Friday the 21st eases to a very clean 7ft to 8ft with light offshore winds – a great session for those who want the solid stuff without the absolute peak.
We’ve got a bit of a flat spot on Saturday the 22nd – windy, messy conditions with poor surf on a 5ft disorganised swell. Then Sunday the 23rd brings the power back with a clean 10ft swell and moderate offshore winds. Monday the 24th is still big at 10ft, but cross-onshore winds chop it up.
The absolute highlight is Wednesday the 26th of August. Early morning, we get an 12ft SSW groundswell with a very long 17-second period and completely glassy conditions. The combined energy is a monstrous 6584. That is an extraordinary setup – long period, big size, and dead calm. This is for expert surfers only; the power will be immense, but the shape should be world-class. After that, Thursday the 27th and Friday the 28th stay solid with clean to offshore conditions in the 7ft to 8ft range.
The end of August sees another pulse of 10ft to 13ft swell, but strong winds on the 31st (40 km/h) will make the 13ft swell a handful best left to the pros.
Bottom line: the morning of Wednesday the 26th of August is the standout. The combination of very long period, glassy conditions, and that incredible energy is about as good as it gets. The Tuesday the 18th afternoon and Thursday the 20th morning are also top-tier sessions. Tubes is a consistent reef and point, so it handles this long-period swell beautifully. Crowds are possible here, so plan accordingly. For the big days, this is expert territory.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sun morning, min 13°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
854 | 718 | 821 | 1788 | 1783 | 1599 | 1708 | 2305 | 2744 | 2407 | 2148 | 1760 | 3543 | 4435 | 3153 | 1655 | 1347 | 891 | 558 | 589 | 1782 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | on | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross | on | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:59PM1.67m | 6:09AM1.45m | 6:29PM1.54m | 6:39AM1.33m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:41AM0.08m | 00:10AM0.20m | 12:11PM0.20m | 00:40AM0.32m | 12:39PM0.33m | 1:12AM0.45m | 1:09PM0.48m | 1:49AM0.58m | 1:47PM0.62m | 2:53AM0.70m | 3:08PM0.75m | 5:54AM0.72m | 6:33PM0.74m | ||||||||
6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | |
— | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:53 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 22 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 19 | 16 |
Feels °C | 20 | 19 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 |
854 | 718 | 821 | 1788 | 1783 | 1599 | 1708 | 2305 | 2744 | 2407 | 2148 | 1760 | 3543 | 4435 | 3153 | 1655 | 1347 | 891 | 558 | 589 | 1782 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 4 | E 6 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 |
58 | 89 | 119 | 229 | 185 | 143 | 100 | 71 | 46 | 44 | 41 | 25 | 25 | 14 | 13 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 5 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 11 | WSW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 8 | — | — | — | — |
75 | 56 | 203 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 3 | WSW 4 | — | — | — | W 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 4 | — | WSW 4 | WSW 5 | SW 6 | — |
4 | 10 | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | — | 14 | 64 | 223 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 52 | 0 | 140 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 52 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 140 | 143 | 143 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape (South) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











