
Surf Forecasts:
Tubes surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 17s period, SW swell with 1,929 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 15 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 15s 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 Saturday (Aug 15) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 15s 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 1.8m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 8s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tubes over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the menu for Tubes over the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, we’ve got a bit of a rough patch. The first few days are a write-off for a decent paddle. Tuesday the 11th is a mess – cross-on winds at 30 km/h and the water is a very unusual 5° colder than average for this time of year, sitting at just 14°. The swell is there but it’s lumpy and poor. Wednesday the 12th and Thursday the 13th are still battling cross-on winds, making it hard to get a clean one. The combined energy is still strong (1287 to 2117), but the wind is ruining it.
Friday the 14th is a bit of a holding pattern, still not great. But then, things start to turn. Saturday morning the 15th is the first real glimmer of hope. The wind swings offshore from the SSW at just 5 km/h, turning the 1.2m SW swell (14 sec period) clean. The energy is moderate (550), but the conditions are clean. It’s a small, glassy morning for the patient ones. Sunday the 16th is similar, with offshore WSW winds, clean 1.2m swell, but a bit more breeze at 20 km/h.
Now, let’s talk about the standout. Circle Wednesday the 19th of August on your calendar. The morning session is looking like the pick of the entire forecast. We’ve got a 12 ft SW groundswell (period 11 sec) wrapping in, combined with glassy conditions – 5 km/h wind from the SE. The combined energy is pumping at 2672, which is strong. This is a big, powerful swell, so it’s strictly for experienced surfers only. The Tubes reef and point setup will handle this size, but it’s a serious step up. The afternoon is still solid at 10 ft but gets a light cross-on breeze, so stick to the morning.
Following that, Thursday the 20th is another excellent call. Clean conditions with offshore SW winds, dropping a bit to 7 ft and 6 ft across the day, with energy in the 782 to 1505 range. Good solid waves for the skilled crew.
The second week has a few more strong days. Saturday the 22nd of August sees a 7 ft SW swell (14 sec) with moderate offshore wind, giving clean conditions and a very good session. Then Wednesday the 26th of August closes out the forecast with a bang: 8 ft SSW groundswell (12 sec) with gentle offshore wind, producing excellent conditions for experienced surfers. The energy is strong at 2035.
So, the strategy is simple: be patient through the early cross-on junk, nail the glassy morning of the 19th for the biggest and cleanest swell, and then keep an eye on the 20th, 22nd, and 26th for more solid, clean waves. Tubes can get crowded sometimes, so expect company on the best days.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the E on Wed afternoon, light winds from the N by Thu night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sun morning, min 15°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 8 | SSW 21 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 20 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
671 | 712 | 922 | 1294 | 1100 | 1929 | 1109 | 930 | 842 | 757 | 532 | 532 | 509 | 437 | 465 | 376 | 765 | 1230 | 1285 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:18AM1.63m | 3:44PM1.72m | 3:57AM1.68m | 4:20PM1.79m | 4:32AM1.68m | 4:55PM1.81m | 5:06AM1.63m | 5:28PM1.77m | 5:38AM1.56m | 5:59PM1.67m | 6:09AM1.45m | 6:29PM1.54m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:13PM0.15m | 9:31AM0.03m | 9:54PM0.07m | 10:06AM-0.03m | 10:32PM0.03m | 10:40AM-0.04m | 11:06PM0.05m | 11:11AM-0.00m | 11:39PM0.11m | 11:41AM0.08m | 00:10AM0.20m | 12:11PM0.20m | 00:40AM0.32m | ||||||
— | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | |
5:46 | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 16 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 23 | 19 | 23 | 26 | 24 | 19 | 19 | 23 | 28 | 24 | 15 | 18 | 21 | 20 |
Feels °C | 11 | 9 | 11 | 8 | 14 | 19 | 14 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 25 | 21 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 16 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | SW 14 | E 8 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | E 11 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 |
500 | 372 | 922 | 1294 | 1001 | 1929 | 1109 | 401 | 356 | 356 | 239 | 532 | 201 | 437 | 465 | 361 | 765 | 1230 | 1285 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 24 | SSW 21 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 20 | S 9 | S 9 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | E 8 | SW 13 | E 8 | E 8 | SW 13 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 |
144 | 712 | 237 | 103 | 1100 | 7 | 2 | 930 | 842 | 757 | 532 | 199 | 509 | 116 | 190 | 376 | 282 | 277 | 212 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | — | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | — | S 11 | — | — | — | S 13 | SW 4 | WSW 5 | E 10 | E 12 | — | WSW 5 | SW 16 | — |
8 | — | 55 | 31 | 16 | — | 2 | — | — | — | 3 | 9 | 3 | 98 | 71 | — | 17 | 40 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | — | E 8 | — | WSW 5 | — | — | — | WSW 3 | WSW 5 | — | — | — |
671 | 531 | 756 | 849 | 624 | 688 | 733 | — | 559 | — | 23 | — | — | — | 5 | 26 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 198 | 198 | 198 | 140 | 180 | 140 | 30 | 1 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 180 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 52 | 180 | 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.











