Cape Town Activites

Cape Town has a wave to suit all types of surfers and bodyboarders, if your an experienced rider then maybe a wave on the Atlantic Ocean at the Hoek or maybe the infamous Long Beach might suit, if your new to surfing then a wave at surfers corner in Muizenberg in the southern suburbs might be more for you.

Atlantic Sea Board Surfing

The Atlantic sea board offers some of the best waves in Cape Town due to its open face to the Atlantic Ocean, three or four surf spots of note including the Hoek in Nordhoek where waters can get to an icy 8C - 9C but the waves are a perfect glassy blue and 4ft - 8ft. Longbeach in the sleep suburb of Kommetjie is a local ground for the younger surf generation learning the ropes in the water, a long left hand can make a ride last up to 50 meters with a close out almost on the beach itself. Another cold water spot can be found at Llandudno beach in front of the exspensive but odd coloured and shaped houses set into the mountain side. It can get very crowded out in the cold waters.

False Bay Surfing

False Bay is a refuge for the novice surfer where one can learn to stand and surf in relatively safe waters. Perhaps the safest of all beaches to learn to surf at is surfers corner in the souther suburbs (Muizenberg beach). This is the original Cape Town surf spot! Gentle waves of 2ft - 3ft makes it the perfect place to catch your first wave. The best place to find a decent wave in the False Bay area is probably at Kalk Bay Reef - dont be put off by being so close to the train lines, this place can get extremely busy with a strong local vibe, when this place fires it resembles Pipeline (a surf mecca in Hawai).

Sharks!

At most beaches through out Cape Town (and South Africa) shark spotters are present and are actively keeping a look out for great whites in the area. There will normally be a person present on the beach and possibely one on the mountain keeping a long range look out. Where a shark spotter is located you will notice a flag system to notify you of any danger in the water.

The green flag means excellent visiblity and no sharks in sight, a black flag means visibility is under 200 meters and no sharks in sight, a white flag with a shark in center means there is currently a shark in the area - get out of the water now (at most beaches you will also hear a siren) and lastly a red flag means that a shark was spotted in the area within the last two hours enter the water at your own risk.

Important Contacts:
Wavescape
Indepth wave reports for all surf spots in Cape Town as well as those listed above. In depth coverage of surfing in South Africa.
Shark Spotters
Informaiton and advice from the shark spotters of Cape Town.

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