 
| | Surfing is perhaps the biggest sub-culture in the Western Cape, and some of the world's leading surfers are resident here. Competitions are held during the summer months, and you’ll find perfect waves at Kommetjie, Noordhoek, Clifton, Rocklands… The beaches in Cape Town, on the Cape Peninsula and around False Bay are a paradise for surfers. Cape Town offers the most highly concentrated number of surf spots in South Africa. There are easily 49 spots within an hours drive of the city, depending on which secret spots you include. The often strong winds at the Cape bring strong breakers about. The water is cold, though, and even in the Indian Ocean you should wear a wetsuit. The largest concentration of breaks is on the west side of the Peninsula facing the Atlantic Ocean. The remainder line the eastern coast line, which faces the Indian Ocean. For a list of the top surf spots around Cape Town check out Wavescape. West Coast - The water is coldish all year around, due to the attentions of the icy Benguela Current, but does get warmer in winter around Cape Town because the southeaster stops blowing, which means the warmer surface water stops getting blown out to sea. The sea temperature varies between 11 and 20 deg C. Characterised by long white beaches and rocky outcrops, or points, there are several peninsulas, or large hook-shaped headlands. In several instances, the best waves are on the north-facing side of these headlands. Good for long left-hand point breaks, such as Elands Bay. |
