Top 5 coolest surfing beaches in Cape Town
It’s summer in Cape Town! Making it the perfect time to surf the cool Cape Town waves. Whether you’re an avid surfing pro looking for your next big wave or a surfing first timer, Cape Town is the ultimate surfing hotspot. Home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, coolest waves and a stunning year-round mild Mediterranean climate, Cape Town has fast become a sought-after surfing destination for surfers from around the world. But before you put on your wetsuit, wax up and venture into the deep blue, we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 coolest surfing beaches in Cape Town. Are you ready to surf the cool Cape Town waves like a real pro? Here we go!
#1 Muizenberg Beach Surfer’s Corner
Experience level: Beginner
We’re kicking off our top 5 coolest surfing beaches in Cape Town list with one of the Mother City’s favourite surfing spots, Muizenberg’s Surfer’s Corner. Known as one of the top surfing hotspots as well as the best place for learning how to surf, Muizenberg’s famous Surfer’s Corner has become one of the most popular surfing beaches in Cape Town for locals and travellers alike. And the best thing is, it welcomes surfers of all ages and experience levels to join in on the surfing fun.
Known for its perfect ‘smooth ride’ waves, Muizenberg’s gentle waves and clean lines can be surfed almost year-round. Making it the ideal Cape Town surfing spot as well as any longboarder’s paradise. The fact that the laid-back sea-side town of Muizenberg embodies Cape Town’s surfing culture in every way means you can find a variety of places to rent wetsuits, surf boards and take up some surfing lessons. In addition to being one of the coolest surfing spots, Muizenberg Beach is also one of Cape Town’s best blue flag swimming beaches. Thereby making it the perfect place to enjoy a fun beach day out with the whole family.
#2 Llandudno Beach
Experience level: Intermediate – Advanced
Llandudno Beach is not only known as one of Cape Town’s most beautiful hidden beach gems, but one of its coolest surfing beaches too. Situated just around the corner from Camps Bay towards Hout Bay, Llandudno boasts crystal clear blue water, a stunning white sand beach and large granite boulders emerging from all angels. It truly is pure beach bliss! But besides its undeniable beach beauty, Llandudno has become one of Cape Town’s top surfing beaches. Easily known as one of the most scenic breaks in the city, Llandudno’s hollow waves that work in a south-to-south-easterly wind have become a fan-favourite for avid surfers from around the globe. And when the swell arrives you better know its game on as Llandudno becomes the surfing place to be.
The waves are known to be best during the Summer and Spring months when storms haven’t dug into the sand just yet. While Llandudno certainly offers one of the most scenic surfs in Cape Town, it’s not recommended for surfing first timers or inexperienced surfers. It’s unpredictable granite boulders and big, hollow barrels requires a certain level of surfing skill and experience to navigate. Intermediate and advanced suffers are also advised to take extra precautions as Llandudno’s waves certainly carry a bit of punch. Its beauty is therefore not to be underestimated!
#3 The Dunes at Noordhoek Beach
Experience level: Advanced
The Dunes at Noordhoek is undoubtedly one of Cape Town’s top surfing beaches for experienced local and international surfers. Located close the beautiful beach-front town of Noordhoek, about 40 minutes from the city centre, the Dunes is known as one of Cape Town’s best surfing hidden gems. In order to get to the beach break, you will have to trek along a mega-stretch of beach which will take you roughly 30 minutes. Although it might take a little extra work to get there and start surfing, you will definitely be well rewarded for your efforts.
Dunes thrives when there is a good south-easterly wind. When the Dunes is in its prime you can expect solid six to eight-foot waves that provides world-class tubes for an epic ride. This Cape Town surfing hotspot is however recommended for the more advanced and experienced surfer. It’s super hollow and powerful heavy waves can make it quite an unpredictable surf. Which requires some real surfing skill to master. This also makes the Dunes one of the Peninsula’s quieter waves. Thereby making it the ideal Cape Town surfing spot for experienced surfers looking to break away from the crowds.
#4 Bloubergstrand
Experience level: Intermediate
Boasting a laid-back beach vibe, a vibrant beach-front promenade, stunning beach that stretches for miles on end and one of the best views of Table Mountain, Bloubergstrand is undoubtedly one of Cape Town’s most beautiful beaches. And definitely one of its coolest surfing spots! However, being the renowned windy wavemaker, means Bloubergstrand is not only one of Cape Town’s best surfing beaches, but the ultimate global kitesurfing destination too. Establishing itself as one of best kitesurfing beaches in the world, Bloubergstrand attracts quite the international kitesurfing and surfing crowd.
In addition to its top-tier kitesurfing status, Bloubergstrand is also an exposed beach break. This enables local and international surfers to enjoy and epic and consistent surf that can be enjoyed any time of the year. The waves are however known to break quite close to the shore and are more powerful than they look. Some surfing experience is therefore required to surf Bloubergstrand’s waves. The fact that Bloubergstrand is also known as the wide-open windy wonder of the Western Cape means that there is no shelter from cross shore breezes. So, the best thing to do is to just surrender to the surf and enjoy the epic ride it has in store for you.
#5 Long Beach in Kommetjie
Experience level: Intermediate – Advanced
Known to have year-round near-perfect waves and one of the most consistent swells in the Cape, means Kommetjie’s Long Beach is undoubtedly one of the best surfing spots in Cape Town. The stunning seaside town of Kommetjie has certainly established itself as one of the Mother City’s most sought-after destinations. But besides its unapologetic scenic beauty, stunning beaches and laid-back vibe, it’s been known to attract quite the cool surfing crowd. But don’t worry, Long Beach has more than enough waves for everyone to get in on the Cape Town surfing action.
In addition to offering local and global surfers a really good surf, Long Beach is also one of the few breaks that will actually hold up well with a strong South West wind. However, a Long Beach wave is not to be underestimated. And is therefore not recommended for inexperienced surfers. In addition to being one of the best surfing beaches in Cape Town, it also provides the perfect waves for longboarders, kneeboarders, bodyboarders and stand up paddleboarders. Thereby giving everyone the opportunity to join in on the Long Beach ocean fun!