Surfing in Africa
Africa hides some of the most coveted waves on the planet, wrapping around a continent whose coasts face powerful Atlantic and Indian Ocean swells. From the perfect right-hand points of South Africa to the mythical desert lefts of Namibia and the mellow beach breaks of Senegal, the range of surf here is vast and often uncrowded. This is a place where world-class waves still peel with only a handful of surfers out, and where the journey to the break is half the adventure.
The surf culture is as varied as the geography. South Africa has a deep, established scene centred on Cape Town and the Eastern Cape, while Morocco has become a firm favourite for its consistent winter point breaks and laid-back surf-town vibe. West Africa, from Senegal to Liberia, remains a frontier of empty line-ups and warm water for the adventurous, and Namibia holds one of the longest and most elusive waves in the world.
Seasons and swell windows are key: South Africa and Morocco fire in the southern and northern winters respectively, while West Africa has its own rhythms. Water temperatures swing from the chilly, wetsuit-demanding Atlantic of the Cape to the tropical warmth of Senegal and Liberia. Wherever you point your board, Africa rewards travelling surfers with quality, space and a real sense of exploration.
Where to Surf in Africa#
Jeffreys Bay, South Africa Better known simply as J-Bay, this Eastern Cape town is home to Supertubes, widely regarded as one of the finest right-hand point breaks on Earth. On a solid winter swell the wave races down the point in long, hollow, high-speed sections that seem to go on forever. It draws the world’s best surfers for its annual pro contest, but there is enough coastline nearby to find quieter peaks too.
Taghazout and Anchor Point, Morocco The village of Taghazout north of Agadir is the beating heart of Moroccan surfing, and Anchor Point is its crown jewel, a long, powerful right that peels over a rocky bottom on a good winter swell. The area offers a whole string of points and beach breaks to suit every level, plus cheap surf camps and a mellow, welcoming vibe. Warm days, tagines and consistent waves have made it a firm favourite for travelling surfers.
Muizenberg, South Africa On the warmer False Bay side of the Cape Peninsula, Muizenberg is Cape Town’s beginner and longboard haven, with gentle, forgiving waves breaking along a long sandy beach. Its row of colourful bathing boxes and easygoing atmosphere make it the spiritual home of Cape surf culture. It is the perfect place to learn, with plenty of schools and board hire on the beachfront.
Skeleton Bay, Namibia Off the desolate Namib coast near Walvis Bay lies Skeleton Bay, a sand-bottom left of near-mythical status that can peel for well over a kilometre on the right swell. It is one of the longest and most challenging barrels in the world, breaking through freezing water in a hauntingly remote landscape of dunes and fog. This is an experts-only pilgrimage that requires planning, fitness and a big dose of luck with conditions.
Dakar and Ngor, Senegal Senegal’s capital region offers a surprising wealth of waves, from the reef breaks around the tip of the Cap-Vert peninsula to the gentle right off tiny Ngor Island. Warm water, a lively culture and consistent swell make Dakar a rewarding and characterful West African surf base. It featured in the classic surf film The Endless Summer, cementing its place in surfing lore.
Elands Bay, South Africa On the cold West Coast north of Cape Town, Elands Bay is a legendary left-hand point that can produce long, fast, wrapping walls when a good swell lines up with the right wind. It is a remote, windswept spot with a raw, end-of-the-road feel and famously chilly water. Surfers make the pilgrimage for the quality of the wave and the sense of escape.
Robertsport, Liberia Tucked into a bay in northwestern Liberia, Robertsport offers a cluster of beautiful, consistent point breaks peeling over sand into warm tropical water. Once cut off by conflict, it has emerged as one of West Africa’s most exciting surf frontiers, with a small but growing local scene. Empty waves, palm-fringed beaches and genuine adventure define the experience here.
Cape Town’s Atlantic beaches, South Africa Beyond Muizenberg, the Atlantic seaboard around Llandudno, Kommetjie and the Cape Peninsula holds powerful, cold-water reef and beach breaks for more experienced surfers. The water is bracing and demands a good wetsuit, but the backdrop of mountains meeting sea is spectacular. It is a serious playground for surfers who want punchy waves with a jaw-dropping setting.
Imsouane, Morocco A short drive north of Taghazout, the fishing village of Imsouane is famed for The Bay, one of the longest and most mellow right-hand waves in the country, perfect for longboarders and improving surfers. Rides here can last long enough to leave your legs burning before you kick out. The sleepy harbour setting and gentle vibe make it a beloved contrast to the busier points further south.
Ponta do Ouro, Mozambique On Mozambique’s southern tip near the South African border, Ponta do Ouro offers warm-water beach and point breaks along a wild, palm-backed coast popular with adventurous surfers driving up from Durban. When it works, the point delivers fun, rippable walls in boardshort-warm water. The laid-back, off-grid atmosphere and nearby diving make it a well-rounded coastal getaway.
Cintsa and the Wild Coast, South Africa The Eastern Cape’s Wild Coast is a string of remote beach breaks and hidden points strung along a gloriously undeveloped shoreline of rolling green hills. Spots around Cintsa and further up the coast reward surfers willing to explore with empty waves and warm, welcoming Xhosa villages. It is one of South Africa’s great surf-and-adventure road trips.
Sidi Kaouki, Morocco Just south of the walled city of Essaouira, Sidi Kaouki is a windswept stretch of beach breaks and points that catches plenty of swell and offers waves for a range of abilities. Its strong afternoon winds also make it a hotspot for kitesurfing and windsurfing. The wide-open beach and bohemian, low-key village give it a wild and refreshingly uncommercial charm.