Surfing spots north of Cape Town on the West Coast include the following:
This is a reasonable wave which is not very popular, and works in a south easter. If Blouberg is crowded to death, then Tableview is the place to go.
Blouberg is renowned as one of the coldest spots in the area. This spot is next to Tableview and has a large amount of surfable breaks. As you drive along the main road, you will see little parking lots all the way along the beach and at most of these lots, there will be a surfable wave most of the time.
The break at Blouberg is similar to that at Milnerton. The wave breaks quite close to the shore and is more powerful than it looks.
Big Bay is situated next to Blouberg. The water here is as cold and a suit is definately needed.
This beach break is fun to surf and the paddle in is very easy. The waves have a tendency to dump sometimes, so it is necessary to find out what the wind is doing to see if it will hold the wave up or not.
This is not a popular spot, as the surf is usually small. However there is sometimes a 3-4 foot wave which is shaped by the south easter. This is a pleasent spot to go to avoid the crowds at Big Bay.
Milnerton is situated Cape Town side of Blouberg. The water here is extremely cold all year round, and a suit is essential.
Surf here is fairly slow. The wave does however have a surprising amount of power. In front of the tanks has long been a favourite surf spot, but accesability has seriously affected that.
The break at the lagoon mouth is usually fairly large large and works on a south easter. On most days, ther is a 2-3 foot wave that breaks fairly slowly, and is ideal for the beginner.
Surfing Spots south of Cape Town on the western seaboard include the following:
The Cape peninsula provides surfing equal to the best in the world. While in False Bay (eastern side) the surf is slow and even, at Kommetjie, the sees are higher and the waves much faster. Despite of the problems with access, the west coast provides the most interesting and most thrilling surfing.
Kommetjie is one of the most popular spots after the west wind starts blowing, and following the encroachment of the south easter, the surf begins to work. Inner and Outer Kom are the favourite spots.
The Crayfish Factory (between Kommetjie and Scarborough) is a big wave spot in the Western Cape. Similar to Misty Cliffs, it is not advisable to venture forth into the 7 foot plus swells that are quite common here if you are not familiar with big wave surfing.
Bring your gun if you are planning to enjoy your surf, the big waves tend to get a bit bouncy and surfing a short board on a big day is suicide.
Sentinel is situated further out to sea from crayfish factory, and is renowned for its tow-in sized waves.
This spot (near Scarborough) is very suitable for competent surfers. It breaks left and right, but keep an eye on the rocks. When the wind blows strongly from the north west "concave jumpers" turn out in force.
There is an easily accessable platform from where the surfers can be seen. Watching this display , it is understandeble why surfing is such a spectator sport.
Misty Cliffs is a big wave spot, make no doubt about it. Do not come here if you are not prepared to face 8 foot plus swells.
Sandy Bay is situated Kommetjie side of Llandudno. This spot is very secluded and inaccessability keeps it from becoming over-crowded. You will have to walk about 5km along a little path to get to the beach.
This area is quite picturesque and if you are prepared to make a day out of it, it is well worth it. Sandy Bay is also a renowned nudist beach, and it has happened that surfers have had to use their boards to discourage eager bathers who are keen on getting to know them better.
The surf at Sandy Bay is very surfable. It is normally about 3 -4 foot. The advantage of this spot is the fact that it is un-crowded, and it appeals to the more 'soul-surfer' type.
Llandudno is one of the most most picturesque places you will ever surf. The water is electric blue and as clear as that of the Mediteranean. The beach is also extremely popular with Cape Town's body beautiful.
The break does tend to get a little bit crowded here, as do all smallish spots. The local presence is also felt, and it is not advisable to paddle out with an attitude.
The break outside the carpark called dunes works in the South Easter and is relatively slow.A wetsuit is essential, as this spot is on the cold Atlantic side. A number of surfing competions are held here.
Opposite the wreck is another well known surfing spot.
Surfing Spots south of Cape Town at Muizenberg and surrounding area include the following:
Muizenberg has the longest break in the Cape Peninsula. The wave is rideble for approximately 1,5 km.
The
wave that you will find at Muizenberg is not the quickest or most
powerful one in the area. It is a beach break that works on a north
wester, however, there is sometimes a ridable wave with the south easter
that starts breaking pretty far out to sea and then re-swells a couple
of times before it reaches the beach.
The most ridden place is in
the corner of the bay, and is aptly named the Corner. As a result of
the emense expance of surfable coast, the large amount of people that
always surf here will not be a problem if you are prepared to surf a
slightly lesser wave further down the beach.
If you are a
longboarder, then Muizenberg is definately the place for you because of
its slow flat wave. Shortboarders will also be able to have fun, but if
you are looking for a big fast wave, don't come here.
Muizenberg
is fairly reliable, and the waves range between 2 and 5 foot. Bigger
waves are possible, but it is advisable to surf bigger swell elsewhere.
Very
close to Muizenberg, Dangers is a reef break which is not quite as
dangerous as Kalk Bay. If the swell is around 2 - 3 foot at Muizenberg,
then Dangers will be very surfable if you do not feel like the gentle
slow wave at Muizenberg. Like all of the reef breaks in the area,
Dangers gets very crowded. The locals at Dangers carry quite a lot of
weight likewise at Kalk Bay, and respect will be demanded. Dangers is
predominantly a left break.
It is very rocky here, and as a result the paddle out can be very tricky, depending on the tide.
The
surfable waves are on the South shore. There is a usefull rip current
to get to the back, but conditions can be trecherous, so take care.
When the north easter blows strongly, many windsurfers are around.
Kalk
Bay Reef is situated a little way down the road from Muizenberg and
offers the more experienced surfer a superb reef break. Because of the
shallow reef it is only really surfable at high tide. Many of the
Western Capes top surfers will be seen in action here regularly. If you
are not a very competent surfer, then this is quite definately not the
place for you.
Cemetries is situated Strand side of Muizenberg. This spot is also very dirty, as is Muizenberg.
The
wave here is very similar to that at Sunrise Beach at Muizenberg a
short way down the road, the only difference being that this wave is a
littlte bit more hollow. It is never crowded, and offers surfers a calm
slow fun wave.
Cemetries must be tried when the wave at
Muizenberg is too messy, otherwise, Muizenberg is probably a better bet
if the small slow wave is what you are after.
Nahoon Reef is another famous South African surf spot.
It is situated in the Nahoon suburb of East London.
The
wave here breaks on a point and can be very gnarly. The waves do get
quite big, but the sheer power and speed is what seperates the groms
from the surfers.
The paddle out is fairly tough, as you paddle out
from the beach and go around the waves to the break. It is quite shallow
here, and you are surfing on a reef. Stay away if you aren't prepared
to surf this reef wave!
Jeffreys Bay is world-renowned for its surfing spots
The
waves here can get large ( up to about 10 - 12 feet). They are very
fast, and as the name suggests, getting tubed is the name of the game.
The sweel usually runs in the winter months. After having surfed Supers
when its working, you will be stoked for years.
Boneyards
is right next to Supers. You will be able to recognise it with ease, as
it is the spot where the waves are breaking almost perfectly, but there
are only one or two guys sitting out there.
Don't be fooled, this is a locals only break and they take it as a serious offence if you as an outsider decide to surf there.
Yeah, it may have the better wave, but that is the bonus of being a local at Jeffrey's Bay for quite some period of time.
Point
is situated further down the beach, towards the Kabeljous side. The
waves here tend to be a little smaller than those at Boneyards and
Supers. The difference is, that you will have a much longer ride here
than at the other two.
This is also the place that the guys surf,
when there is a competition on at Supers, and they either need to warm
up, or are not surfing in the competition