You do not need to be a cartographer to deduce that South Africa has a prolific coastline. Scratch that – prolific hardly even cuts it. What adjective best describes a coastline that is not only long – 2,500 km to be almost exact – but half-pipes all the way from the desert of Namibia to subtropical Mozambique? From the South Atlantic Ocean to the Indian Ocean, Cape Town to Durban, the Rainbow Nation has some of the best surf in the world. Sure, the scene at the bottom of the continent may not be as desolate as the relatively virginal coastlines of Angola or Gabon but waves curl with epic force in South Africa. As a result, the country is a monumental mecca of the sport for grommets and pros alike. With that, check seven of the best spots to surf in South Africa.

Hout Bay a.k.a. Dungeons – Photo credit

7. Elands Bay, West Coast/Cape Peninsula

A scenic three hours up the coast from Cape Town, Elands Bay unfurls a killer left point break in summer. Rustic charm and a good rep for the West Coast.

Where to stay: Protea North Wharf Hotel Cape Town

6. North Beach, Wild Coast/KwaZulu-Natal

North Beach is home of the big surf in Durban. South African pro surfer Jordy Smith puts on a contest for the groms here every year.

Where to stay: Southern Sun North Beach Hotel

5. The Hoek, West Coast/Cape Peninsula

Strictly for surfers with battle scars and years of experience, the Hoek is a quasi-legend in Cape Town. Set in a clandestine corner below Chapman’s Peak, the spot dishes barrels and gnarly six foot swells at low tide.

Where to stay: Camps Bay Retreat Hotel Cape Town

Cape Town City Guide

4. Shark Rock Pier, Eastern Cape

Built to mitigate erosion on Hobie Beach, Shark Rock Pier is a premier surf spot in Port Elizabeth. Crowds tend to gather at the end of the pier to admire longboarders navigate the massive, hollow tubes that tumble in from south to east.

Where to stay: Protea Marine Hotel Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth City Guide

3. Dungeons, West Coast/Cape Peninsula

The Dungeons, some 18 km south of Cape Town, is the ominous sobriquet for Hout Bay. With swells 30 feet high accessible only by water craft, this is one of the top monster wave hubs on the planet. Definitely not for the novice.

Where to stay: Villa Montebello Guest House Hout Bay

2. New Pier, Wild Coast/KwaZulu-Natal

Jordy Smith is a born and bred New Pier boy. Any questions? Surf the very same waters as the best in the business do in the Mr. Price Pro.

Where to stay: Garden Court Marine Parade Durban

Durban City Guide

1. Jeffreys Bay, Eastern Cape

Talk about home wave advantage: Mr. Smith won the Billabong Pro final at J-Bay in 2011. Home of epic supertubes, Jeffreys lures hot shots from all over the world. You need skills to surf here.

Where to stay: The Kelway Hotel Port Elizabeth

South Africa Guide

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