Elands Bay
Elands Bay is the jewel of South Africa's remote West Coast—a long, barreling left-hand point break that fires when big SW swells wrap around the Cape. The drive from Cape Town is long (3+ hours), and the conditions need to be just right, but when it's on, Elands offers 150+ meter rides through hollow, sand-bottomed perfection. The setting is stark and beautiful: dry West Coast fynbos, cold Atlantic water, and not a soul around. Classic South African adventure surfing.
Elands Bay surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SW (225°)
- Direction range
- 200° - 260°
- Size range
- 2.4m - 4.9m
- Ideal size
- 3.5m - 4.3m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 15s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (90°)
- Offshore range
- 45° - 135°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low to mid
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
3/10
👥 Spring Break (Sep 26 – Oct 6) — expect extra crowds
Access: Beach/paddle
Frequently Asked Questions
What tide is best at Elands Bay?
The Elands Bay profile favors low to mid tide. Compare this preference with the forecast tide and local conditions before choosing a session.
What wind direction is offshore at Elands Bay?
The Elands Bay profile uses wind from E (90°) as its preferred direction, with an offshore range of 45° to 135°. 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 Elands Bay?
The Elands Bay scoring profile favors swell from SW (200° to 260°), a swell-height range of 2.4m to 4.9m, and a reference period of 15s. 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 Elands Bay?
The main season at Elands Bay is Mar-Aug. A secondary window runs Feb, Sep. ~65% Apr clean (40-60 days/yr)
How do I get to Elands Bay?
The spot profile lists CPT as a nearby airport. The estimated road transfer is 210 minutes. Beach/paddle
What kind of wave is Elands Bay?
Elands Bay is a point break, a left-hander. Difficulty is rated 6/10.
Best Season
Peak: Mar-Aug
Secondary: Feb, Sep
~65% Apr clean (40-60 days/yr)