South Africa’s Surfing Spots

Looking for a tasty wave? Does the thrill of hitting the beach with your board tucked under your arm, board shorts snug and sand in your toes get you excited?  If you’re look for some solid surf spots, then look no further than South Africa’s coastline.  Offering multiple beaches, tons of coastline, and surf spots with quirky names, you’re bound to find some swells and tubes here.  These are only a handful of spots where you can find some “totally epic” surf:



Cave Rock, KwaZulu-Natal

Located in Durban, Cave Rock is listed as one of the area’s top surf spots along with Brighton, Garvies, Baggies, Geteway Wavehouse, and others.  Cave Rock, however, is noted as having the biggest, best waves.  Apparently the spot used to of higher quality before the storms in 2006.  It currently plays host to the Cave Rock Tube Masters surf competition.



Jeffery’s Bay

A famous surfing spot and home to the Billabong pro surfing challenge, this South African gem hosts perfect supertubes for the more experienced surfers. Beyond the touted Supertubes are other spots like Boneyards, Kitchen Windows, Albatross, and others.  This spot boasts a solid surfing population in addition to good swell.  It is recommended for experienced surfers only.



Muizenberg

With a well-known beach named Surfer’s Corner, Muizenberg is described as the “ultimate family beach“.  This is one of the spots where amateur or beginner surfers go to ease their way into surfing; it is actually considered the birthplace of surfing in South Africa.  With the iconic beach boxes decorating the beach, there are also a handful of recreational activities to be had beyond the waves.



Long Beach

One of the more surf-able spots year-round for all surf levels, Long Beach in Kommetjie, Cape Town, offer very consistent waves.  The spot has small to medium swell, with a sandbar nestled into the middle of the break, creating peaks on both sides.  According to Wanna Surf, the waves here are “easy to ride, yet meaty and fast moving”.



Dungeons

A big wave venue, Dungeons hosts a portion of Red Bull’s Big Wave surfing competition.  Located within the Hout Bay harbor, it is recognized as one of the sixteen big wave spots across the globe.  This spot is only accessible by boat and is not for the inexperienced (pros or kamikaze surfers are welcome), as swells can get up to 30 ft. high, with the highest ever recorded at 47 ft.

Now grab your board, wax it up good, and rush the beach before someone steals your wave.  Be mindful of others, avoid the reefs, and as always, watch for sharks.  And if these spots don’t fit your liking or are too intimidating, South Africa has plenty more coastline to explore and surf.  Even if you don’t surf, take the opportunity to post up on the shore and watch the surfers brave the waves.