Western Cape, South Africa
Surf Spots & Information
Jutting into the southern Atlantic, the western peninsula of Cape Town is in prime position to pick up plenty of southwest swell energy, and deliver gracious amounts of tube time from the many points, reefs and slabs that line this stretch of coast. Waves are biggest during the winter months.
When traveling to this area during winter, be sure to pack extra rubber and wool, as air and sea temps get pretty cold.
Find a surf school in South Africa.
Western Cape South Africa Surf Breaks |
Thermopylae – Cape Town West |
| Surf Location |
West Cape Town |
| Best Swell Direction |
Southwest |
| Best Tide |
Any |
| Best Wind Direction |
Light northeast |
| Best Surf Season |
Fall and Spring |
| Wave Quality |
Left-hand point break that breaks over sunken ship remains |
| The Surfers |
Can get crowded |
| Boards |
Shortboard, funboard, fish, longboard |
| Paddle Out |
Moderate |
| Skill Level |
Beginner to Advanced |
| Watch Out For… |
Sharks, sewage spill, ship remains |
| Water Condition |
Cold, dirty, E. coli outbreaks on occasion |
Rocklands – Cape Town |
| Surf Location |
Sea Point in Cape Town |
| Best Swell Direction |
Southwest |
| Best Tide |
High |
| Best Wind Direction |
East or light southeast |
| Best Surf Season |
Fall and Spring |
| Wave Quality |
Left-hand reef break. After the take-off, waves wall-up and peel along a rock ledge. Very speedy. Very consistent. |
| The Surfers |
Can get crowded, mellow vibe |
| Boards |
Shortboard, fish |
| Paddle Out |
Moderate |
| Skill Level |
Intermediate to Advanced |
| Watch Out For… |
Rocks and reef |
| Water Condition |
Cold |
Glen Beach – Cape Town |
| Surf Location |
Inside Camps Bay |
| Best Swell Direction |
Southwest |
| Best Tide |
Any |
| Best Wind Direction |
East or light southeast |
| Best Surf Season |
Fall and Spring |
| Wave Quality |
Right-hand sandbar break with short rides that can get hollow. Somewhat sheltered from the howling southeast winds of summer. |
| The Surfers |
Can get crowded, home to some of Cape Town's best surfers |
| Boards |
Shortboard, fish |
| Paddle Out |
Moderate |
| Skill Level |
Intermediate to Advanced |
| Watch Out For… |
Rocks and reef |
| Water Condition |
Cold |
Llandudno – Cape Town |
| Surf Location |
Go to Llandudno Beach |
| Best Swell Direction |
Southwest |
| Best Tide |
Any |
| Best Wind Direction |
Light northeast |
| Best Surf Season |
Fall and Spring |
| Wave Quality |
Can be a totally epic right-hand wedge with nice tubes |
| The Surfers |
|
| Boards |
Shortboard, funboard, fish, longboard |
| Paddle Out |
Moderate |
| Skill Level |
Total Beginner to Advanced |
| Watch Out For… |
Sharks |
| Water Condition |
Cold |
Sandy Bay – Cape Town |
| Surf Location |
Western tip of Cape Town |
| Best Swell Direction |
Southwest |
| Best Tide |
Any |
| Best Wind Direction |
Southeast |
| Best Surf Season |
Fall and Spring |
| Wave Quality |
Short, hollow rights and lefts peel down the beach |
| The Surfers |
Popular with surfers and bodyboarders |
| Boards |
Shortboard, fish |
| Paddle Out |
Easy to moderate |
| Skill Level |
Beginner to Advanced |
| Watch Out For… |
Shorepound |
| Water Condition |
Cold |
