Cape St Francis
Cape St Francis is where the endless summer dream began—the right-hand point break immortalized by Bruce Brown's iconic 1966 film that launched the global surf travel movement. While the wave rarely reaches the perfection of those legendary frames, when conditions align, it still delivers long, reeling walls along the rocky point with the same magic that captivated audiences worldwide. The Bruce's Beauties section on bigger swells offers the most defined waves, and the surrounding coastline is dotted with additional breaks worth exploring. This is hallowed ground for surf history.
Cape St Francis surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- S (180°)
- Direction range
- 150° - 210°
- Size range
- 0.8m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.6m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- WNW (300°)
- Offshore range
- 260° - 340°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
- Optimal range
- 0.5m - 1.8m
Water temp
17°C
Wetsuit
3/2mm fullsuit
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
3/10
👥 Spring Break (Sep 26 – Oct 6) — expect extra crowds
Access: Beach access from town.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tide is best at Cape St Francis?
The Cape St Francis profile favors mid tide, ideally between 0.5m and 1.8m on the local tide chart. Compare this preference with the forecast tide and local conditions before choosing a session.
What wind direction is offshore at Cape St Francis?
The Cape St Francis profile uses wind from WNW (300°) as its preferred direction, with an offshore range of 260° to 340°. Wind speed matters too: light winds outside that range can still produce surfable conditions, while strong offshore winds can make takeoffs difficult.
What swell size and direction work best at Cape St Francis?
The Cape St Francis scoring profile favors swell from S (150° to 210°), a swell-height range of 0.8m to 2.5m, and a reference period of 14s. These are model inputs, not guaranteed breaking-wave heights or a promise that the surf will suit every ability.
When is the best time of year to surf Cape St Francis?
The main season at Cape St Francis is Apr-Sep. A secondary window runs Mar, Oct. Autumn-Winter. Indian Ocean swells.
How do I get to Cape St Francis?
The spot profile lists PLZ as a nearby airport. The estimated road transfer is 90 minutes. Beach access from town.
What kind of wave is Cape St Francis?
Cape St Francis is a point break, a right-hander. Difficulty is rated 5/10.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Sep
Secondary: Mar, Oct
Autumn-Winter. Indian Ocean swells.
Getting There
🤙 Strike Specialist
Nearby Spots
Seal Point
🎬 Endless Summer fame • Surf history icon • 150m legendary rights
Bruce's Beauties
🎬 Endless Summer legend • Rarely perfect • Original pilgrimage
Jeffreys Bay
🇿🇦 World's best right • Supertubes to Impossibles • Berg wind 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 Cape St Francis
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