A brief guide to a few of the better surf spots around Cape Town

Derde Steen

Just a short drive past Big Bay and Blaauberg on the west coast, Derde’s is a really fun little beach break that can serve up some awesome waves in the right conditions. Normally a short, punchy ride, it doesn’t need a lot of swell to work and is best in a light North Easter, however it handles light cross shore breeze pretty well. Intermediate to Advanced

Big Bay

One of the more well known spots on the west coast, Big Bay can get crowded at times but can also produce some pretty fun waves while wall up nicely for beginners and experts alike. Can be a bit of a hassle to get out at times, as the main spot is just behind what often turns into a vicious little shorebreak. Beginners to Advanced

Milnerton Lighthouse

Thermos

A very rare point break in Cape Town, Thermos is named after the wreck that sits just beneath the takeoff zone, the Thermopylae. Rumour has it the Thermopylae was adrift for days before the crew sighted Robben island and made a swim for shore only to be eaten by Leper cannibals (obviously before they imprisoned Nelson over there). But thats just a rumour, in any case, Thermos needs a really big swell to work but becomes quite a long ride under optimum conditions. Intermediate to advanced.

Glen Beach

Tucked away to the side of Camps Bay, Glen Beach can have quite a strong local element to it at times. The wave is normally short and closes out, but can be good option when other spots this side are struggling for swell. Intermediate to Advanced

Llandudno

Real world class wave when its working, Llandudno can deliver some firing barrels at the ‘gat’. Often crowded with a strong local element, Llandudno is still worth the hassle of finding the waves. While there is almost always a wave in the ‘gat’ on the right, there is often a left hander on the opposite side while the shifting banks in the middle of the beach can work on their day as well. Intermediate to advanced.

Sandy Bay

A 15min walk from the car park, Sandy’s can be absolute perfection under the right conditions. While not catching nearly as much swell as Llandudno, Sandy’s is a great option when a huge swell is making other spots unrideable. Watch out for the beach wildlife! Advanced

The Hoek

Another of Cape Towns top quality waves, the Hoek is known for its crunching barrels and shallow banks. Definitely not for beginners, the Hoek on its day can compete with spots anywhere in the world for pristine barrel sections and heavy takeoffs. Advanced

Dunes

About a 15min walk down the beach from the Hoek is another amazing spot. Beginners beware, this wave is deceptively heavy. Open ocean swell breaking over a shallow sand bar, the Dunes is famous for its perfect tube sections and bone crunching wipeouts. With more than one takeoff depending on how the sand banks are lined up, and the isolated feel of the spot, Dunes is definitely one of Cape Town’s surfing treasures.

Long Beach

Probably Cape Town’s most well known surf spot. Long Beach can get unbelievably crowded at times. Still a great wave is you can hassle a ride, Long beach is one of the few spots that works well in a south westerly. On its day can deliver a nice long left with a rippable wall, before closing out on the beach.

365

365 gets its name based on the fact that there seems to be a wave breaking here 365 days a year. If you’re looking for a consistent wave away from the crowds, then this is your spot. Apart from the masses of kelp, 365 can deliver epic waves in solid proportions and is scenically situated away from the city. Intermediate to Advanced

Crayfish Factory

Not for the faint hearted, the factory is one of the premier big wave spots in Cape Town. This lurching slab will chew you up and spit you out a couple 100 meters down the way at Witsand. While still a challenging wave at 4 – 6ft, the crayfish is at its spectacular best when it’s cranking between the 10 – 15ft range. Advanced only

Witsand

Frustratingly fickle, witsand varies between unsurfable to world class, depending on the banks and conditions. More often than not its a frustrating paddle for an average wave, but not a bad option when the North Westerly is blowing, putting most of the atlantic side out of action. Beginners to advanced.

Scarborough

The beach break in front of the car park can get fun at 3 – 5ft but doesn’t often serve up the best shape. The point break on the outside to the left of the car park is slightly more consistent and can be a fun left hander suitable for long boarders and short boarders alike. Intermediate

Kalk Bay

Probably the most localised spot in Cape Town, the takeoff zone at Kalk Bay is notoriously small and jealously guarded by the locals and for good reason, as this little reef break can get amazingly good in the right conditions and consistently offers makeable tube sections to the left.

Muizenberg

Where many a Capetonian learns to surf, Muizenberg is rightfully considered the best place to start out as a beginner and this is reflected in the number of surf schools based around this area. For anyone other than a beginner this spot is definitely more suited to a long board or paddle board, but in a decent sized swell can be a fun option for the North Westerly that blows consistently throughout winter.