Best time to surf Cape St Francis

The best time to surf at Cape St Francis is June–September, with waves of about 3.7 m and water around 18°C.

Cape St Francis, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Sports: Surfing

Best time to go: June–September

Cape St Francis is a small coastal village at the end of a rocky cape about 20 km south of Jeffreys Bay in the Eastern Cape. Seal Point, near the lighthouse at the tip of the cape, is a right-hand reef and point wave that catches almost any south-west swell, which makes it one of the most consistent spots in the area. Bruce's Beauties, the long right made famous by a 1960s surf film, lies a short way along the coast but only works on a rare combination of big swell and the right conditions.

The best season runs from about April to September, when Southern Ocean swells arrive and north-westerly to westerly winds blow offshore. The easterly summer winds tend to blow it out. It suits intermediate and experienced surfers; the take-off is over rock and reef, and getting in and out needs care. The water is usually about 15–21 °C, so a 3/2 mm or 4/3 mm wetsuit is common. Kelp, rocks and strong currents are the main hazards, and sharks are present along this coast.

Month by month at Cape St Francis

January: 9 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 2.7 m, water 20°C, air 25°C (nights 19°C), 28 sunny days, 6 rainy days
February: 9 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 2.7 m, water 20°C, air 25°C (nights 19°C), 24 sunny days, 7 rainy days
March: 7 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 2.8 m, water 19°C, air 25°C (nights 18°C), 28 sunny days, 8 rainy days
April: 7 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 3.1 m, water 18°C, air 22°C (nights 15°C), 25 sunny days, 9 rainy days
May: 5 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 3.4 m, water 19°C, air 21°C (nights 13°C), 27 sunny days, 8 rainy days
June: 7 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 3.6 m, water 18°C, air 20°C (nights 12°C), 26 sunny days, 8 rainy days
July: 7 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 3.7 m, water 18°C, air 19°C (nights 11°C), 28 sunny days, 10 rainy days
August: 9 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 3.8 m, water 17°C, air 20°C (nights 12°C), 29 sunny days, 6 rainy days
September: 9 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 3.6 m, water 18°C, air 20°C (nights 13°C), 26 sunny days, 11 rainy days
October: 10 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 3.1 m, water 17°C, air 21°C (nights 14°C), 26 sunny days, 10 rainy days
November: 10 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 2.8 m, water 18°C, air 22°C (nights 16°C), 28 sunny days, 6 rainy days
December: 10 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 2.8 m, water 20°C, air 24°C (nights 17°C), 29 sunny days, 10 rainy days