Cape Town surf forecast

Surfing in Cape Town

Cape Town sits on a peninsula with two very different coastlines, and that split is the key to reading the surf. The Atlantic side, from Bloubergstrand down through Hout Bay to Kommetjie, faces west into open ocean and takes the full force of south-westerly swell from the Southern Ocean. False Bay, home to Muizenberg and Gordon's Bay, faces south and is more sheltered.

Wind usually decides which side to surf. The south-easter that dominates summer blows offshore around Kommetjie, while in winter north-westerly winds tend to clean up False Bay and rough up the Atlantic side. Long Beach at Kommetjie is one of the most consistent waves on the peninsula, with lefts and rights for intermediate and advanced surfers. Dungeons, off Hout Bay, is a big-wave reef that only works on very large, long-period south-west swells and is reached by boat; it is strictly for experienced big-wave surfers. Big Bay at Bloubergstrand, north of the city, has shorter beach-break rides that suit a range of abilities on small days, though the summer south-easter makes it messy for surfing and draws kitesurfers instead.

Muizenberg is the classic learner's beach, with gentle rolling waves along a long beach, surf schools and board hire. Gordon's Bay, in the north-east corner of False Bay, is fickle and usually needs a large winter swell to break.

Atlantic water stays cold, around 12 to 15°C all year because of the Benguela Current, so a 4/3mm wetsuit is the norm; False Bay is noticeably warmer. Winter, roughly May to August, brings the largest swells, while summer is calmer and kinder to learners. Sharks are present, and the Shark Spotters programme flies coloured flags at several beaches, especially in False Bay. Rocky reefs at the advanced breaks add to the hazards.