In the summer months, surfing at Strand beach is still popular although the South Easter, favourable for kite boarding, is cross shore and more often than not the swell is small. When the South Easter is blowing and the waves are small a good option for finding a ride able wave is to head on through Gordon’s Bay and around the coast to a popular surf spot called Kogel Bay, or “Cool Bay” as the locals refer to it. Cool Bay is usually bigger than the Strand as it is more exposed to the South African swell window and picks up more swell. This particular spot is for experienced surfers only as it is an extremely powerful wave which often breaks in very shallow water.

Among other popular spots in the area are Betty’s Bay, Silver Sands, Pringle Bay (which closes out a lot) and even Bikini beach. Surfing at Bikini Beach is not common, it only works on a huge swell and normally breaks just a few times every year. When it does though, it can get classic, it is a left hand break that can offer a freight train ride from the point to the beach when the swell direction is right and it connects properly. Betty’s Bay gets good waves in the winter months and again, the North West wind is offshore here, it can close out a lot as well but when the sand banks are just right, can also get epic. There are a few secret spots in this area which we would not disclose here and recommend you go surfing at the Strand beach and popular surf spots close by and maybe befriend a few locals to try and get some local knowledge on the lesser known breaks.

Surfing at Betty’s Bay main beach is best in the winter when the swell is generally bigger and the North Westerly wind blows which is offshore at this spot. It’s found about 40 Km by road from the Strand beach and around 20 Km from Cool Bay on the same coastal route which has magnificent sea views. If there is decent size swell at the Strand and the wind is light NW and the tide is pushing then you can almost guarantee there will be waves and other surfers scoring some good sessions round at Betty’s. Although this is a beach break, it produces powerful waves and when there is a decent size swell this break is not really suitable for beginners.

Other things to do in this area include visiting the Harry Porter Botanical Gardens if you are keen on hiking and nature or a trip to Stony Point which boasts a large colony of penguins and boardwalk viewing platforms for the public to see these fascinating birds in there natural habitat. Sand boarding is popular on the dunes here just above another rarely surfed spot known as Silver Sands. For experienced surfers, there is a point to the one side of Silver Sands that produces epic waves when the swell gets massive and the wind is light North Westerly. Whether you are looking for good surf spots or just need a break away in the outdoors from the hustle and bustle of everyday life then Betty’s Bay and the main beach are definitely worth a visit.