Best time to surf in South Africa
April to November, January for intermediate surfers, April to August for beginners, and May for the biggest waves. Month by month below, from 2 years of hourly wave and wind model data at 75 spots. Updated 3 November 2026.
| Month | Good days (intermediate) | Beginner days | Good days (advanced) | Typical waves | Water | Best region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 7 | 2 | 1–1.6 m | 21 °C | Eastern Cape |
| February | 2 | 6 | 2 | 1–1.6 m | 20 °C | Wild Coast, Eastern Cape |
| March | 3 | 8 | 3 | 1–1.6 m | 20 °C | Garden Route, Western Cape |
| April | 6 | 9 | 6 | 1.1–1.7 m | 20 °C | Overberg, Western Cape |
| May | 9 | 12 | 9 | 1.2–1.8 m | 19 °C | Garden Route, Western Cape |
| June | 11 | 12 | 10 | 1.1–1.7 m | 18 °C | Garden Route, Western Cape |
| July | 10 | 11 | 10 | 1.1–1.7 m | 18 °C | Garden Route, Western Cape |
| August | 8 | 9 | 8 | 1.1–1.7 m | 17 °C | Overberg, Western Cape |
| September | 6 | 8 | 6 | 1.1–1.7 m | 17 °C | Western Cape |
| October | 3 | 7 | 4 | 1.1–1.7 m | 18 °C | Eastern Cape |
| November | 3 | 6 | 3 | 1.1–1.7 m | 19 °C | Eastern Cape |
| December | 2 | 6 | 2 | 1–1.6 m | 20 °C | Eastern Cape |
Days per month at the best third of the spots for each level, rated the way the app rates them. Model data, not observations. Method.
By region
| Region | Intermediate | Beginners | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Cape | April to September | May to September | 17–22 °C |
| Western Cape | April to November, January | April to September | 14–17 °C |
| KwaZulu-Natal | May to July, September | May to July | 21–25 °C |
| Wild Coast, Eastern Cape | April to September | February, April to August | 20–23 °C |
| Overberg, Western Cape | April to October, January | March to August | 15–20 °C |
| Garden Route, Western Cape | April to September | April to July | 16–23 °C |
Questions
What is the best month to surf in South Africa?
June, with about 11 good days for an intermediate surfer at the best spots. The best run of months is April to November, January.
When is the best time to surf in South Africa for beginners?
April to August, when the beginner spots have the most days of small, clean waves.
When are the biggest waves in South Africa?
May has the biggest typical surf (about 1.2–1.8 m at the spots we follow). That is the season for experienced surfers.
Can you surf in South Africa in summer?
Yes: June to August still bring about 10 good days a month for intermediate surfers.
How warm is the water in South Africa?
About 17 °C in August (4/3 mm fullsuit) to 21 °C in January (Springsuit 2 mm or vest).
More: all surf spots in South Africa · this week's forecast · wetsuit by month · why the swell period matters.