Surf Forecasts:
Tubes surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 25 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 12s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SW swell with 3,469 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 11s 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 23) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 11s 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 3.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tubes over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Rusty here again, same spot, different numbers.
Tubes is a reef and point break, and the water is running at 57°F right now, which is a whopping 9°F colder than average for the time of year. You are going to feel that chill, so suit up.
Friday afternoon (21st August) is a total loss with onshore wind chopping up the 7ft SW swell. Wave energy ramps up hard over the weekend, hitting 2602 (strong) on Saturday with 10ft waves, but the wind is cross-off and gusty. Sunday morning (23rd) finally cleans up: 8ft SW groundswell (11-second period), light offshore breeze, solid energy at 1542. Sunday afternoon is good, too.
Monday (24th) stays clean. Morning has 7ft SW with light offshore wind, afternoon is 6ft with a moderate offshore. Tuesday (25th) is the big one. Tuesday morning is *dead glass* – no wind, 10ft SW swell, 14-second period. The energy is massive at 3469 (very strong). That’s a long-period groundswell, so slower sets but better shape. This is for experts only at that size. Standout of the whole outlook.
Wednesday (26th) is stormy and lumpy. Thursday (27th) afternoon turns glassy again with a 6ft S swell at 15 seconds – another long-period gem. Friday and Saturday (28th-29th) see it drop off and get messy.
Sunday the 30th of August brings a giant: 18ft WSW swell with 6959 energy (very strong). That’s huge, but it’s with near gale winds and rain. Only for the hardcore.
Monday the 31st: glassy again, 10ft SW swell. Clean and powerful.
Into September, Wednesday afternoon (2nd) and Thursday (3rd) give us clean conditions with 6-8ft SW swell, good offshore wind. Saturday morning (5th September) is a weird one: 10ft from the ESE, glassy, but it’s the wrong direction for Tubes.
The Standout: Tuesday morning, 25th August. 10ft SW, 14-second period, dead calm. That’s the one.
Second call: Thursday afternoon, 27th August. 6ft S swell, 15-second period, glassy.
Choose your moment – the big days are for experts, the glassy days are for everyone else.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun morning, min 13°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Sat morning, calm by Sun night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, fresh winds from the E by Wed afternoon). | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | S 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
1324 | 650 | 1466 | 2602 | 1562 | 1542 | 1183 | 1545 | 1094 | 897 | 1968 | 3469 | 2866 | 1568 | 2534 | 1033 | 976 | 1927 | 1697 | 1191 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | glassy | off | off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 3:36PM1.63m | 3:42AM1.60m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 9:23AM0.11m | 9:41PM0.15m | |||||||
— | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | |
5:53 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 22 | 26 | 21 |
Feels °C | 14 | 13 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 21 | 25 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 14 | E 8 | E 8 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | S 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 16 | S 15 | E 10 |
1324 | 650 | 362 | 5 | 5 | 1542 | 1183 | 1545 | 1094 | 897 | 1968 | 3469 | 2866 | 1568 | 2534 | 1033 | 976 | 1927 | 1697 | 1043 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | WSW 11 | E 4 | — | E 8 | E 8 | SW 14 | E 8 | E 9 | SSW 14 | SW 12 | E 10 | E 9 | S 15 | SW 13 | SSW 16 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | S 14 |
5 | 329 | 2 | — | 5 | 5 | 336 | 1 | 6 | 301 | 37 | 7 | 7 | 1258 | 816 | 860 | 255 | 98 | 81 | 1191 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 8 | E 8 | — | — | — | E 9 | — | SE 11 | E 9 | E 10 | — | — | E 9 | — | WSW 13 | S 16 | — | — | WSW 12 |
— | 5 | 5 | — | — | — | 1 | — | 4 | 7 | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | 437 | 246 | — | — | 88 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 4 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 4 | E 5 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | — |
— | 10 | 1466 | 2602 | 1562 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 14 | 77 | 417 | 535 | 1034 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 514 | 30 | 257 | 140 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 172 | 198 | 198 | 140 | 30 | 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.











