Surfing South Africa

Surf South Africa - Quick Facts
LOCATION: Err, south of North Africa
POPULATION: 44,350,000
NATIONALITY: South African
LANGUAGE: 11 official languages, including Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu (gives Senegal a run for it's money)
CURRENCY: Rand
South Africa Surf Spot Map

So, anyone heard of Jeffery's Bay? Fly to Port Elizabeth, drive south round the coast and you'll find it. One of the finest waves on the planet. But South Africa has a lot more to offer in the surf and wave department.

South Africa cops plenty of swell from antarctic lows and is surrounded by the ocean on three sides (all but the north). It's 3 000 km coastline has a 270 degree swell exposure - and we all know what that means - waves waves waves. This coastline is swept by two major ocean currents, the warm south-flowing Mozambique-Agulhas Current and the cold Benguela, and every coast is pounded by surf throughout the year.

South Africa is famous for its sunshine. Generally speaking, April and May are the most pleasant months. The rainy season over the summer-rainfall region has then ended, while it has not yet really started in the winter-rainfall area. March to September sees the best surf, the Roaring Forties provide all the swells you are going to need. The surf can be anywhere in the 6-15ft range, but there are spots that will hold much bigger. At this time of the year you can be almost guaranteed offshore conditions in the morning.

There are to many world class spots to mention so we will just recommend the main areas of St Francis Bay, Durban and the Cape Peninsular (where the surf is most consistent. South Africa really is a great place for a surfing vacation.

Surfing South Africa - The Good
Consistent, Quality Surf
Long Surfing Season

Surf South Africa - The Bad and the Ugly
Cold Water
Crime in Urban Areas

South Africa Surfing Conditions

South Africa Swell Size	South Africa Water Temperature

If you have information on surfing in South Africa we would like to know. Tell us how good or bad your surfing vacation was by posting your trip details on our Surf Forum.

Click the link for some background (non surfing related) information on South Africa.

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If you are serious about surfing and travel you will need a decent surfing guide book. Take a look at the Stormrider Guide Europe, Stormrider Guide North America and the World Stormrider Guide books. We cannot emphasise just how good these books are.