Ansteys

Just a quick 800-meter stroll up the beach from Cave Rock, past the lefts of Inbetweens, Anstey's offers a welcome escape from the town-break hustle. Easy roadside parking makes it a convenient go-to for locals and visitors alike, though its reputation for less-critical peaks draws a crowd, especially when small to medium swells paint the sandbars. When winter whips up a solid south swell, Anstey's serves fast, pumping right-hand barrels that demand respect. Come summer, north-east pulses deliver wedgy lefts with a punch. The magic mark sits around 3 feet (0.9 meters), but it handles overhead sets with ease, breaking well out the back. Preferred swells roll in from the southeast, northeast, and southwest, while the best winds blow from the northwest. Nearly any tide works, so you can score a session from low to high without fuss. This spot is built for intermediate surfers—if you're still finding your feet, you'll want to watch from the sand. The waves pitch over a mix of uneven reef and sand, offering varied, interesting rides. If you're after a hollow alternative that's a touch less critical than the Bluff's other gems, Anstey's is worth a look—just pack your patience for the lineup.

Best Surf Season (May - August)

The heart of the South African winter lines up beautifully for Ansteys. Long-period groundswell from the deep Southern Ocean travels north through the Indian Ocean, and the swell window of E through SSE fills with consistent 5-6ft (1.5-1.8m) surf. Average periods peak between 10.2 and 10.8s, so when the mid-latitude fronts push through, the energy is powerful and well organized. Just as importantly, the westerly side of those frontal systems delivers the offshore W/NW/NNW winds that groom the southeast-facing beachbreak. May and June are the real standouts, with ideal wind percentages climbing to 50-55 percent, while the water remains a manageable 21.8-23.7°C.