Muizenberg
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Sports: Surfing, Surf foiling, SUP
Best time to go: all year
Muizenberg lies on the northern shore of False Bay, about 25 kilometres south of central Cape Town. Southern Ocean swells lose much of their power entering the bay, so they reach the beach as slow, crumbling waves breaking over a gently sloping sandy bottom. Surfer's Corner, at the western end, is one of the best-known learner beaches in the country, and the long, soft walls also suit longboards, SUP and prone foils.
The best conditions come from autumn to early spring, when north-westerly winds blow offshore ahead of winter fronts. In summer the south-easterly blows onshore and strong most afternoons, so early mornings are the only option. The beach is busy with surf schools and swimmers, so foilers should move well east of Surfer's Corner, away from the crowd; check local rules. A shark-spotting programme operates here with flags to show conditions, and bluebottles and occasional rip currents are other hazards. The water is cooler than the Indian Ocean coast but warmer than the Atlantic side of the peninsula.
Month by month at Muizenberg
- January: 8 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 2.5 m, water 18°C, air 26°C (nights 17°C), 31 sunny days, 3 rainy days
- February: 6 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 2.5 m, water 18°C, air 26°C (nights 18°C), 28 sunny days, 4 rainy days
- March: 6 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 2.6 m, water 17°C, air 25°C (nights 17°C), 29 sunny days, 6 rainy days
- April: 4 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 8 knots, waves 2.7 m, water 17°C, air 22°C (nights 14°C), 27 sunny days, 6 rainy days
- May: 3 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 3 m, water 16°C, air 19°C (nights 12°C), 26 sunny days, 8 rainy days
- June: 5 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 8 knots, waves 3.2 m, water 15°C, air 18°C (nights 11°C), 22 sunny days, 11 rainy days
- July: 3 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 8 knots, waves 3.2 m, water 14°C, air 16°C (nights 10°C), 23 sunny days, 12 rainy days
- August: 5 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 8 knots, waves 3.3 m, water 14°C, air 17°C (nights 10°C), 26 sunny days, 9 rainy days
- September: 6 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 3 m, water 15°C, air 19°C (nights 12°C), 26 sunny days, 7 rainy days
- October: 7 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 2.7 m, water 16°C, air 22°C (nights 14°C), 30 sunny days, 5 rainy days
- November: 9 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 2.6 m, water 16°C, air 23°C (nights 15°C), 30 sunny days, 4 rainy days
- December: 9 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 2.5 m, water 18°C, air 24°C (nights 17°C), 30 sunny days, 6 rainy days
When is the best time to go surfing & surf foiling at Muizenberg?
All year, when the waves are biggest.
How warm is the water at Muizenberg?
14°C to 18°C over the year: a 4/3 full suit in the warmest month, a 5/4 with boots in the coolest.
How windy is Muizenberg?
About 71 days a year with at least 2 hours of 15+ knots in the daytime, most in November.
Figures from 5 years of weather data (Open-Meteo).
Spots near Muizenberg
- Bloubergstrand (34 km)
- Langebaan Lagoon – Shark Bay (119 km)
- Witsand – Breede River mouth (221 km)
More: All spots in South Africa · Surfing in South Africa · Surf foiling in South Africa · SUP in South Africa
Compare with: Langebaan Lagoon – Shark Bay vs Muizenberg · Bloubergstrand vs Muizenberg · Jeffreys Bay – Supertubes vs Muizenberg