Surfing the False Bay Coast
Surfing is an extremely popular water sport along the False Bay coast. Along with the relaxed atmosphere, surfing forms an integral part of the beach culture of this area. Surfers from all walks of life can be seen on a daily basis getting their early morning fix before their day starts.
Most of the available breaks are relatively safe for beginner surfers, and young surfers are a common sight in the waters on days when the surf is good. An interesting fact of surfing spots at Strand is that a lot of them are some distance offshore, however, most of these spots are frequently surfed, and despite the probability of sharks, these spots are much easier and safer to surf than other offshore surf spots on the Atlantic Ocean side of the Cape Peninsula. The protective element that False Bay gives here is probably part of the reason.
As with most surf spots, windless days create the best surfing conditions, and with a medium to large size ground swell, Strand should provide some good waves.
False Bay Surf Spots West to East:
Fish Hoek
This surf spot in the Cape Peninsula is a fairly exposed beach break that has reasonably consistent surf and can work at any time of the year. Offshore winds blow from the west northwest. Groundswells more frequent than windswells and the ideal swell direction is from the southeast. The beach break offers both left and right hand waves. Likely to be crowded if working.
Type: Beach
Reliability: Fairly consistent
Best Swell: SE
Offshore Wind: WNW
Watch out for: Dangerous rips
Rating: 2/5
This surf spot in Cape Peninsula is a fairly exposed beach and reef break that has fairly consistent surf and can work at any time of the year. The best wind direction is from the west northwest. Groundswells more frequent than windswells and the ideal swell direction is from the southeast. Waves at the beach break both left and right as well as a left hand reef break.. Best around low tide. Likely to be crowded if working.
Type: Beach and reef
Reliability: Fairly consistent
Best Swell: SE
Offshore Wind: WNW
Watch out for: Strong Rips
©
Surf-Forecast.com for Glencairn
Kalk Bay Reef
This surf spot in the Cape Peninsula is an exposed reef break. Winter is the best time of year for surfing here. The best wind direction is from the southeast. Most of the surf here comes from groundswells and the ideal swell angle is from the southeast. There are left and right breaking reefs. Often Crowded.
Type: Reef
Reliability: Rarely breaks
Best Swell: SE
Offshore Wind: WNW
Watch out for: Submerged rocks.
This surf sport in the Cape Peninsula is an exposed reef break that has pretty consitent surf. Winter is the favoured time of year for surfing here. The best wind direction is from the northwest. Groundswells more frequent than windswells and the optimum swell angle is from the southeast. A choice of left and right reefs. Often Crowded.
Type: Reef
Reliability: Fairly consistent
Best Swell: SE
Offshore Wind: NW
Watch out for: Submerged rocks.
This surf spot in the Cape Peninsula is an exposed reef break. Summer in particular tends to be flat. The best wind direction is from the northwest. Tends to receive distant groundswells and the best swell direction is from the southeast. The reef provides both left and right breaks. Best around high tide. When the surf is up, crowds are likely Rocks are a hazard.
Type: Reef
Reliability: Rarely breaks
Best Swell: SE
Offshore Wind: NW
Watch out for: Rocks
Photo: Mburu
This surf spot in the Cape Peninsula is an exposed beach break. The best wind direction is from the west northwest. Clean groundswells prevail and the best swell direction is from the southeast. The beach breaks offer lefts and rights. When it’s working here, it can get crowded.
Type: Beach
Reliability: Rarely breaks
Best Swell: SE
Offshore Wind: WNW
Watch out for: Sharks have been sighted
This surf spot in the Cape Peninsula is an exposed beach break that only works when conditions are just right with no particular seasonal pattern. Offshore winds are from the west. Most of the surf here comes from groundswells and the ideal swell direction is from the southeast. The beach breaks offer lefts and rights. Sometimes crowded.
Type: Beach
Reliability: Inconsistent
Best Swell: SE
Offshore Wind: W
Watch out for: No known threats
Nine Mile Reef in Cape Peninsula is an exposed reef break that has fairly consistent surf and can work at any time of the year. The best wind direction is from the north. Clean groundswells prevail and the ideal swell direction is from the south southeast. Reef breaks provide lefts and rights. Sometimes crowded.
Type: Reef
Reliability: Fairly consistent
Best Swell: SSE
Offshore Wind: N
Watch out for: Rocks are a hazard
©
Surf-Forecast.com for Nine Mile Reef
Monwabisi Strand
This surf spot in the Cape Peninsula is an exposed beach break that has pretty consitent surf and can work at any time of the year. Offshore winds blow from the north northeast. Most of the surf here comes from groundswells and the ideal swell angle is from the south. The beach breaks offer lefts and rights. When it’s working here, it can get crowded.
Type: Sandbar
Reliability: Fairly consistent
Best Swell: S
Offshore Wind: NNE
Watch out for: Take care of rocks in the line up
Photo: Charl de Waal
Strand (Pipe) in Cape Peninsula is an exposed beach and reef break that has quite reliable surf and can work at any time of the year. Works best in offshore winds from the east. Clean groundswells prevail and the ideal swell angle is from the southwest. Waves at the beach break both left and right together with both left and right hand reef breaks offshore.. Best around high tide when the tide is rising. Sometimes crowded.
Type: Beach and reef
Reliability: Fairly consistent
Best Swell: SW
Offshore Wind: E
Watch out for: Sharks
Photo: Charl de Waal
Gordons Bay Harbour in Cape Peninsula is a sheltered reef break that does not work very often. Winter is the best time of year for surfing here. Works best in offshore winds from the northeast. Most of the surf here comes from groundswells and the ideal swell angle is from the southeast. A left hand reef. When it’s working here, it can get crowded. Take care of sharks,.
Type: Reef
Reliability: Inconsistent
Best Swell: SE
Offshore Wind: NE
Watch out for: Sharks
©
Surf-Forecast.com for Gordons Bay Harbour
Koeel Bay
Source: www.surf-forecast.com
Koeel Bay in Boland and Southern Cape is a quite exposed beach break that has fairly consistent surf The best wind direction is from the east southeast. Most of the surf here comes from groundswells and the optimum swell angle is from the south. Waves at the beach break both left and right. Sometimes crowded. Watch out for dangerous rips.
Type: Beach
Reliability: Fairly consistent
Best Swell: S
Offshore Wind: ESE
Watch out for: Dangerous Rips
©
Surf-Forecast.com for Koeel Bay
Paranoia
Photo by: wannasurf.com
Paranoia in Boland and Southern Cape is a fairly exposed beach and point break that has quite reliable surf Offshore winds blow from the east southeast. Most of the surf here comes from groundswells and the best swell direction is from the south. The beach break offers both left and right hand waves and in addition, there is also a left hand point break. Even when there are waves, it’s not likley to be crowded. Submerged rocks are a hazard.
Type: Beach and Point
Reliability: Fairly Consistent
Best Swell: S
Offshore Wind: ESE
Watch out for: Submerged rocks
©
Surf-Forecast.com for Paranoia
Moonlight Bay
Photo by Jono
Moonlight Bay in Boland and Southern Cape is a reasonably exposed reef break that has inconsistent surf The best wind direction is from the east southeast. Tends to receive distant groundswells and the ideal swell direction is from the south. A right hand reef. It very rarely gets crowded here. Watch out for rocks.
Type: Reef
Reliability: Inconsistent
Best Swell: S
Offshore Wind: ESE
Watch out for: Rocks
©
Surf-Forecast.com for Moonlight Bay
Betty’s Bay
Photo credit: Max Jay
Betty’s Bay in Boland and Southern Cape is a reasonably exposed beach break that has quite reliable surf The best wind direction is from the east southeast. Tends to receive distant groundswells and the ideal swell direction is from the south. The beach breaks consists of rights. Surfable at all stages of the tide. It’s sometimes crowded here. Take care of rocks in the line up.
Type: Beach
Reliability: Fairly Consistent
Best Swell: S
Offshore Wind: NNW
Watch out for: Rocks
Surf-Forecast.com for Betty’s Bay
Pringle Bay
Photo credit: Choppy
Pringle Bay in Boland and Southern Cape is a sheltered beach and point break that has pretty consitent surf Offshore winds are from the southeast. Groundswells more frequent than windswells and the best swell direction is from the southwest. The beach break provides left and right handers and in addition, there is also a left hand point break. When it’s working here, it can get crowded. Take care to avoid the rocks.
Type: Beach and Point
Reliability: Fairly Consistent
Best Swell: SW
Offshore Wind: SE
Watch out for: Rocks
Surf-Forecast.com for Pringle Bay
Haardebaai
Photo credit: Stephan
Haardebaai in Boland and Southern Cape is a sheltered reef break that has consistent surf, although summer tends to be mostly flat. The best wind direction is from the northwest. Groundswells more frequent than windswells and the best swell direction is from the west. There is a right hand reef break. It’s sometimes crowded here. Watch out for rocks.
Type: Reef
Reliability: Consistent
Best Swell: W
Offshore Wind: NW
Watch out for: Rocks
Surf-Forecast.com for Haardebaai
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