Best time to surf Elands Bay

The best time to surf at Elands Bay is June–August, with waves of about 1.9 m and water around 13°C.

Elands Bay, Western Cape, South Africa

Sports: Surfing

Best time to go: June–August

Elands Bay, or Elandsbaai, is a small village on South Africa's west coast, about three hours' drive north of Cape Town. The wave is a long, fast left-hand point that wraps around Baboon Point at the southern end of the bay, peeling over a mix of rock and sand. On a good swell the rides are long and hollow in places, and it is regarded as one of the best lefts in the country.

The point needs a solid south-west swell to wrap into the bay, most common from about March to September. The south-easterly wind that dominates in summer blows offshore here, so the wave can also be good in summer when a swell arrives. The Benguela Current keeps the water very cold, often 10–14 °C, so a 4/3 mm or 5/4 mm wetsuit with booties is usual and a hood helps in winter. Kelp beds, rocks and strong currents along the point need care, and sharks are present along this coast. It suits intermediate and experienced surfers. The village is small and remote, so bring what you need.

Month by month at Elands Bay

January: 19 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 12 knots, waves 1.4 m, water 16°C, air 26°C (nights 17°C), 31 sunny days, 1 rainy day
February: 13 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 1.4 m, water 17°C, air 26°C (nights 17°C), 28 sunny days, 1 rainy day
March: 8 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 1.3 m, water 17°C, air 25°C (nights 16°C), 29 sunny days, 4 rainy days
April: 5 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 8 knots, waves 1.3 m, water 16°C, air 23°C (nights 13°C), 28 sunny days, 4 rainy days
May: 2 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 1.7 m, water 14°C, air 20°C (nights 11°C), 27 sunny days, 4 rainy days
June: 7 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 1.8 m, water 14°C, air 19°C (nights 10°C), 24 sunny days, 8 rainy days
July: 5 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 8 knots, waves 1.9 m, water 13°C, air 17°C (nights 8°C), 26 sunny days, 7 rainy days
August: 7 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 1.9 m, water 13°C, air 19°C (nights 9°C), 29 sunny days, 6 rainy days
September: 6 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 1.6 m, water 14°C, air 20°C (nights 11°C), 27 sunny days, 6 rainy days
October: 11 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 1.5 m, water 15°C, air 23°C (nights 13°C), 28 sunny days, 3 rainy days
November: 16 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 1.5 m, water 15°C, air 24°C (nights 14°C), 30 sunny days, 2 rainy days
December: 19 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 12 knots, waves 1.5 m, water 15°C, air 25°C (nights 16°C), 31 sunny days, 2 rainy days