6 Best Surf Spots in South Africa

Best Surfing Spots in South Africa
Best Surfing Spots in South Africa

Best surf spot in South Africa where you can surf and play with the waves. South Africa is a popular destination for surfing, with several great spots for beginners and experienced surfers alike.

The country has a long coastline with a variety of breaks, and the water temperature is generally warm and comfortable throughout the year.

If you’re a surfer, you’ll be spoiled for choice in South Africa, as it’s over 1,600 miles/2,500 kilometers of coastline. You’d like to master world-famous waves like Supertubes and Dungeons, or if you’re a novice in search of a mellow ride, this place still has so many opportunities to sharpen your skill of surfing.

Some of the popular surf spots in South Africa include:

  • Jeffreys Bay: Located on the Eastern Cape, Jeffreys Bay is known for its long, right-hand point breaks and is a popular destination for surfers from around the world.
  • Durban: The city of Durban, located on the KwaZulu-Natal coast, is known for its consistent surf and is a popular spot for both beginners and experienced surfers.
  • Cape Town: The Western Cape, particularly the area around Cape Town, is home to several great surf spots, including the famous break at Dungeons.
  • Port Elizabeth: Located on the Eastern Cape, Port Elizabeth is known for its consistent surf and is a popular spot for both local and international surfers.

There are a number of surf schools and rental shops throughout South Africa, where visitors can rent gear and take lessons from experienced instructors. Overall, South Africa is a great destination for surfers of all levels, and offers a wide range of waves to suit different abilities and preferences.

Best Surf Spots in South Africa

Let’s explore South Africa’s 6 best surf spots.

1. Elands Bay, Western Cape

Elands-Bay-Western-Cape
Elands-Bay-Western-Cape

Elands Bay is the best surf spot in South Africa located 135 miles/220 kilometres north of Cape Town on South Africa’s West Coast.

This spot is the best choice for surfers looking to avoid the crowds. You’ll find some great guesthouses and self-catering rentals.

The wave here works best in summer when a southeaster holds up a westerly swell to create a cranking left point break.

2. Victoria Bay, Western Cape

Victoria-Bay-Western-Cape
Victoria-Bay-Western-Cape

This is a very narrow, steep-sided bay on the outskirts of George, and is well guarded by young locals when it’s working well. Because of the shape of the bay, this spot operates most of the year and is best for surfers of all experience levels. Better to book a guesthouse if you’re planning on hanging around for a while.

3. Long Beach, Western Cape

Long-Beach-Western-Cape
Long-Beach-Western-Cape

This beach is located an hour’s drive south of Cape Town. Located on the Atlantic side of the southern Cape Peninsula, it offers the best and most consistent shore break in the Cape and probably in the country after Durban.

It works at small to medium swell. You can enjoy a bigger ride, as the Outer Kom kicks up massive curlers on a big westerly swell but must not venture out if you a faint-hearted.

4. Muizenberg, Western Cape

Muizenberg-Western-Cape
Muizenberg-Western-Cape

Located on the edge of False Bay, Muizenberg is home to quite a popular swimming beach called Surfer’s Corner. Also called a long boarders’ paradise, it offers a wide assortment of surf schools renting out boards and wetsuits. Summer is the best time to get there before the crowds and the pumping southeaster ruin things.

5. Stilbaai, Western Cape

Stilbaai-Western-Cape
Stilbaai-Western-Cape

Starting from the east of Cape Town, Stilbaai is one of many excellent surf spots along the Garden Route. Stilbaai is a shore break in front of the village, but you can also wait for big south-to-southeast swell when the right-hand point break grinds. 

6. Cape St. Francis, Eastern Cape

Cape-St.-Francis-Eastern-Cape
Cape-St.-Francis-Eastern-Cape

This place is unbeatable when it comes to the reticent wave known as Bruce’s Beauties which pumps down the arm of the bay, creating barrels that roll for kilometres.

The Cape is a great choice at any other time, with a range of point and shore breaks, the best of which is Seal Point near the lighthouse.

Synopsis

These are some of the most amazing and popular surf spots that you must not miss out on checking out if you happen to visit South Africa.

About the author

Mamta Sharma