Bruce's Beauties
Bruce's Beauties is the legendary wave from The Endless Summer—a perfect right-hand point break in St Francis Bay that captivated the surfing world in 1966. The wave is extremely inconsistent, requiring large East swells to wrap into the bay, which only happens a handful of times per year. But when it does, the result is mechanical, ruler-edged perfection. Chasing this wave is a game of patience and timing. Surfing's original pilgrimage destination.
Bruce's Beauties surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SE (125°)
- Direction range
- 100° - 160°
- Size range
- 1m - 4m
- Ideal size
- 2.3m - 3.3m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 16s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SW (225°)
- Offshore range
- 180° - 270°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low to mid
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.5m
- Danger below
- 0.3m
Water temp
16°C
Wetsuit
4/3mm fullsuit
Difficulty
8/10
Crowd level
6/10
Access: Drive to St Francis Bay, walk down the rocks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Bruce's Beauties?
Bruce's Beauties is a point break in St Francis Bay, South Africa, that mostly breaks right.
What swell works best at Bruce's Beauties?
Bruce's Beauties picks up swell from the E round to the SSE, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SE. It starts working at around 1m and handles up to about 4m, with the sweet spot around 2.3 to 3.3m. Period matters too: aim for 16s or longer, as anything under 12s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Bruce's Beauties?
A SW wind is dead offshore at Bruce's Beauties, and anything from the S round to the W keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 11am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Bruce's Beauties?
Bruce's Beauties is at its best around the low to mid tide, roughly 0.4m to 1.5m on the local chart. Below 0.3m it gets dangerously shallow.
When is the best time of year to surf Bruce's Beauties?
The most reliable run of swell at Bruce's Beauties comes May to Sep. There's a second window in Apr and Oct too. Extremely inconsistent. Needs large East swells to wrap into the bay.
How cold is the water at Bruce's Beauties?
The water at Bruce's Beauties averages around 16°C, so you'll want a 4/3mm fullsuit. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Bruce's Beauties good for beginners?
Not really. It's rated 8/10 for difficulty and suits experienced surfers. Expect a moderate crowd (6/10) when it's on. Sharp rocks. Shark activity in the region. Locals can be protective.
How do I get to Bruce's Beauties?
The nearest airport on our list is PLZ, then it's roughly a 1.5-hour drive. Drive to St Francis Bay, walk down the rocks.
What other surf spots are near Bruce's Beauties?
The closest breaks we track are Cape St Francis (21 km), Seal Point (21 km) and Jeffreys Bay (37 km), handy when Bruce's Beauties isn't working. Fun fact: it's the second most southerly break we track in South Africa.
Best Season
Peak: May-Sep
Secondary: Apr, Oct
Extremely inconsistent. Needs large East swells to wrap into the bay.
Getting There
🤙 Strike Specialist
Nearby Spots
Cape St Francis
🎬 Endless Summer legend • Film that changed surfing • Pilgrimage point
Seal Point
🎬 Endless Summer coast • Surf history icon • Long rights
Jeffreys Bay
🇿🇦 World's best right • Supertubes to Impossibles • Winter offshore perfection
Plettenberg Wedge
Plett wedge • Bodyboard-friendly peaks • Shifting sand setup
Buffalo Bay
🌊 Protected Knysna cove • Slow right off Walker Point • Beginner heaven
Plan a trip around Bruce's Beauties
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