Cape Town

Best Surf Season (April - September)

During the austral autumn and winter, the Southern Ocean storm track shifts north and repeatedly aims long-period groundswell at the Cape Peninsula. Cold fronts and cut-off lows ride the expanding westerly belt - especially when the Southern Annular Mode is negative - and send powerful SW and WSW swell towards Cape Town's NW-facing beach. April sees the highest ideal-wind percentage of the year at 40%, while May through September delivers the largest average swells, peaking around 9-10ft (2.7-3.0m) in July with 12.6 second periods. The dominant S/SW pulses wrap into the stretch, and post-frontal ESE/SE/SSE winds groom it into clean, powerful surf. It is the most consistent time of year, although raw frontal NW winds can still ruin days, so local knowledge is essential.