Surf Spots

Llandudno

Cape Town, South Africa

intermediate · advanced · shortboard

Long Beach

Cape Town, South Africa

Lookout beach

South George, South Africa

Maclear Beach

West Coast/Cape Peninsula, South Africa

Magna Tubes

South J Bay, South Africa

Magna Tubes is a fast, powerful right-hand reef break that fires best during southeast swells with west-northwest offshore winds. The wave favors high to rising tides and produces steep, technical takeoffs with hollow, barreling sections that demand solid technique and paddle power. The reef consists of sharp coral and rocks studded with mussel shells, requiring protective booties and careful positioning. Best suited for experienced surfers; on larger days (around 4-5 feet) a strong rip current develops and the wave can close out sections. The break draws experienced surfers seeking an alternative to the more crowded nearby reef breaks. Magna Tubes has limited documented surf history and does not appear to host major competitions. It functions primarily as a local's spot in South Jeffreys Bay, known within the regional surfing community but rarely featured in wider surf media or historical records. The break sits in front of the Beach Hotel in Jeffreys Bay proper, a short distance from the main strip. The nearest airport is Port Elizabeth, roughly 65 kilometers away. Parking and specific access arrangements should be confirmed with local sources or the Beach Hotel directly. Water temperatures range from 15–19°C depending on season.

Margate

Wild Coast/KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Melkbosstrand

West Coast/Cape Peninsula, South Africa

intermediate · advanced · shortboard

Middle Beach

West Coast/Cape Peninsula, South Africa

Millers

Port Elizabeth, South Africa

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Milnerton Beach

West Coast/Cape Peninsula, South Africa

Mossel Bay

Southern Cape, South Africa

intermediate · advanced · shortboard

Muizenberg

West Coast/Cape Peninsula, South Africa

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Nahoon Reef

East London, South Africa

Nahoon Reef is a right-hand reef break with a distinctive ledging takeoff and barreling sections that run 150–300 meters across the rocky bottom. It performs best in winter (June through August) with southeast to northeast swell combined with offshore wind from the west-northwest, hitting its peak shape around low tide as the water rises. The boulders and shallow rocks demand technical positioning, and sea urchins line the entry—though a concrete walkway mitigates this hazard. Stronger swells bring powerful rips and undertow that challenge the paddle-out; shark risk is documented, including great white incidents. Nahoon Reef is recognized worldwide in waveski racing as the finest wave for the discipline and has hosted the World Waveski Surfing Titles as a regular host venue since 1993, most recently in 2024. The reef also anchors the Buffalo City Surf Pro, a WSL Qualifying Series event held regularly since at least 2017. The reef's reputation draws national championships in both board surfing and waveski disciplines, reflecting its status as one of the Southern Hemisphere's most consistent and quality reef waves. The spot sits in the Nahoon suburb of East London about 15 minutes from the city center, accessed via a dedicated car park with free parking and a beachfront café. A concrete boardwalk leads to the water entry, reducing barefoot contact with the reef.

intermediate · advanced · shortboard

New Pier

Durban, South Africa

New Pier is a pier-influenced beach break offering both left and right-hand waves that works best at low tide, where the swell becomes hollow and fast with the potential for barrels exceeding six seconds. The break responds well to south or southwest swell paired with offshore westerly winds, though it can be ridden on higher tides with smaller boards during bigger swells. Water temperatures stay between 20–24°C year-round. The wave draws large crowds and attracts intense, competitive surfing that occasionally turns confrontational; hazards also include fishing line from anglers working the pier and marine life including sharks and jellyfish. Durban's surfing community has ridden New Pier since at least the 1950s. The break's definition improved significantly when a fishing pier was constructed and sand accumulated around its pilings, transforming what had been a mediocre break into one of the area's most reliable waves. Jordy Smith, South Africa's most prominent modern pro surfer, began his career in the water here as a young child. New Pier lies on Durban's Golden Mile beachfront promenade and is accessible by paddling from the beach in small waves or jumping from the pier itself for larger swells above six feet. Parking and basic amenities are available in the surrounding Golden Mile area.

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Noordhoek

West Coast/Cape Peninsula, South Africa

North Beach

Durban, South Africa

North Beach breaks as an exposed beach and pier setup with right-handers that turn hollow and critical in larger swells while offering rippable walls on smaller days. Southeast groundswell combined with westerly morning winds creates the most reliable conditions, though the break works across all tidal stages with a rising tide generally preferred. Crowd is heavy whenever conditions align, and the beach provides reasonably consistent waist-high to double-overhead surf across the year, peaking during Southern Hemisphere winter. North Beach holds significance as South Africa's original professional surfing venue, hosting the Gunston 500 from 1969 through 1999—the country's first pro event. Shaun Tomson, a Durban local, won six consecutive Gunston titles between 1973 and 1978 before becoming the 1977 World Surfing Champion. The venue later hosted the Mr Price Pro series and continues to draw competition events such as the Zigzag Durban Surf Pro. The beach sits along the Golden Mile with public parking available near the Or Tambo Parade beachfront, though spots fill quickly during peak sessions. Lifeguards are on duty and basic facilities exist, but the lineup attracts consistent crowds. Hazards include sharks, rocks, and seasonal jellyfish, and the bottom is sandy throughout.

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Oasis Beach

Wild Coast/KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Pansy Beach

Southern Cape, South Africa

Pipe

Port Elizabeth, South Africa

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Plettenberg Bay

Southern Cape, South Africa

intermediate · advanced · shortboard

Pollok Beach

Jeffreys Bay, South Africa

Queens Beach

West Coast/Cape Peninsula, South Africa

Richards Bay

East Coast North, South Africa

Richards Bay is a sand beach break in East Coast North, South Africa, that accommodates both left and right wave directions across all tidal conditions. The spot works best with southern swells and northwest winds. Watch for sharks and rips.

Robben Island

West Coast/Cape Peninsula, South Africa

Scarborough

West Coast/Cape Peninsula, South Africa

Scottburgh

Hibiscous Coast, South Africa

Scottburgh is a right-hand point break on South Africa's Hibiscus Coast with a reef and sand bottom that works best with southern swell and westerly winds. The break works across all tides and hosts notable events including the Cutty Sark Pro and Scottburgh Ocean Festival. Hazards include sharks, rocks, and crowds.

Seal Point

South J Bay, South Africa

Seal Point is a right-hand point break near Cape St Francis that breaks over rock, responding best to SSE swell and NW winds. Hazards include a rock ledge exposed at low tide known as "Full Stop," alongside sharks, urchins, and strong rips.

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Shark Rock Pier

Port Elizabeth, South Africa

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Simon's Town

West Coast/Cape Peninsula, South Africa

Skulpiesbaai

Southern Cape, South Africa

Solly's

West Coast/Cape Peninsula, South Africa

St Francis Bay

Jeffreys Bay, South Africa

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

St Mikes

Wild Coast/KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Strand

West Coast/Cape Peninsula, South Africa

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Summerstrand

Jeffreys Bay, South Africa

Sunrise Beach

West Coast/Cape Peninsula, South Africa

Sunset Beach

West Coast/Cape Peninsula, South Africa

Sunset Beach

West Coast/Cape Peninsula, South Africa

Sunset Reef

West Coast/Cape Peninsula, South Africa

advanced · gun

Supertubes

Jeffreys Bay, South Africa

Supertubes is a long, fast, hollow right-hand point break renowned as one of the finest tubular waves in the world, capable of producing rides that extend for 300 meters or more down the point. The wave breaks over reef and rocky bottom, offering the most consistent conditions between May and mid-September when southwest swells combine with offshore west-southwest winds. Optimal swell sizes fall between 4 and 10 feet on the Hawaiian scale, with the break demanding advanced technique and strong tube-riding ability. The spot rose to prominence after surfers explored the South African coast in the 1960s following the film "Endless Summer." The first organized competition took place in 1984, and the break joined the professional circuit as the Billabong Pro in 1996, becoming a mainstay of the World Surf League Championship Tour. Kelly Slater won four times at the break, while Mick Fanning achieved four victories as well. Other notable champions include Andy Irons, Joel Parkinson, and South African native Jordy Smith. The event was rebranded as the J-Bay Open and remains the only WSL Championship Tour event held on the African continent. Supertubes sits at Dolphin Beach within the town of Jeffreys Bay, accessible via public parking, though competition for spots intensifies during peak season. The break lies approximately 80 kilometers south of Port Elizabeth via the N2, or can be reached from Cape Town by taking the coastal highway and exiting for Jeffreys Bay. The surrounding area offers restaurants, retail shops, and nearby attractions within walking distance of the break itself.

Surf Action

South Africa

Swartvlei Beach

South George, South Africa

Swartvlei Beach near Sedgefield is a sandy beach break with waves from multiple directions. Conditions work best during low to mid tide with north to northwest wind and south to southwest swell. Swimmers and surfers should be aware of strong rips and undertows as well as sharks in the area.

The Dunes

West Coast/Cape Peninsula, South Africa

advanced · shortboard

The Hoek

Cape Town, South Africa

The Hoek near Noordhoek is an advanced beach break that works on both wave directions with southwest swell, peaking at low tide on southeast wind. The spot features a combination bottom with shallow rocks and reef, hazardous great white shark sightings, cold water requiring full wetsuit, and significant overcrowding.

advanced · shortboard

The Point

South J Bay, South Africa

The Point is a right point break over sand-covered reef that produces long, mellow walls ideal for carving and cutbacks. It handles moderate to large swells well, working best in the three to eight foot range, though it can occasionally exceed fifteen feet. The wave requires southwest swell and benefits from southwest wind, with the break peeling away across an area where sand accumulates between fingers of exposed reef. The Point was the first wave surfed at Jeffreys Bay when longboarders including Brian McLarty and Gus Gobel discovered it in the early 1960s. The break became the foundation for the entire J-Bay reputation before the adjacent Supertubes break overshadowed it in prominence. Rides can extend hundreds of meters down the point, and the wave has attracted longboarders and intermediate surfers seeking less-critical conditions than the heavier sections nearby. Access is via a public carpark, but the entry and exit present serious hazards from sharp, mussel-encrusted rocks and the mussel-covered reef itself. Great white sharks travel along the point structure between deep and shallow water, making this a real rather than theoretical concern. Paddling in and out requires careful line selection to avoid the worst rock zones.

The Wedge

South George, South Africa

The Wedge is an advanced beach break near Plettenberg Bay offering left-hand waves best approached at low tide. Southeast swells and westerly winds provide optimal conditions, though the sand bottom is interspersed with rocks and poses shark hazards.

Tongaat Beach

Wild Coast/KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Umhlali Beach

Wild Coast/KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa