If I had to name one thing that comes to my mind when someone mentions surfing and South Africa it’s definitely Jeffreys Bay. J-Bay is one of the five most famous surfing destinations in the world so no wonder everyone sees those right hand walls in front of their eyes as soon as someone mentions South Africa. If I was pressed to dig deeper into the South Africa part of my brain there I would probably find Jordy Smith ripping those same walls, then big wave spot Dungeons, and sharks, lets not forget about them and Mick Fanning fighting them:). And if I had to go really deep I would remember that craziest little right from Endless Summer going on and on and on and on like forever. The perfect wave of that time (classic surf movie The Endless Summer was made in the 1960s).
Not quite the knowledge to base your surf trip on. So with the little help from Saffa surf tours (check them out if you need a surf guide or a place to stay!), here are five tips for anyone planning a surf trip to South African Republic:
1. The water in SA is cold.
The water is very cold in comparison to most other countries. Strangely enough, it gets warmer in the winter months.
2. It’s safe as long as you’re smart.
There’s a lot of negative media when it comes to South Africa. Visitors tend to have concerns about crime or corruption when they are planning a trip here. The thing people need to keep in mind is that a trip to South Africa is what you make of it. It’s safe as long as you keep your wits about you, and do your research before venturing out too far.
It’s always best to ask a local that you trust for advise before heading out on your own. Make sure you avoid known dangerous areas, avoid walking alone at night, and try to keep limited amounts of cash on you. It sounds daunting, but it really is an incredible place and a great holiday if you have the right knowledge.
3. Most lesser known surf spots require 4×4 transport.
Something to keep in mind when searching for uncrowded and lesser known spots, is that many of them require 4×4 transport- particularly when venturing up the West Coast of South Africa. Be sure you have the right form of transport when heading out on a surf trip- we’ve seen way too many people stuck in the sand.
4. When you see good waves, you surf them!
Conditions along the coast can be fickle. They tend to change pretty quickly. As a result, it’s a unsaid rule that if you see pumping waves, you put your wetsuit on ASAP and get out there. You’ll kick yourself if you miss them.
5. The waves are best in winter.
Although South Africa is a pretty consistent surf destination all year round, it definitely turns on most over the winter months, particularly in May and August. This time of year is also a lot less crowded than November to February, which is peak season for tourists.
ABOUT SAFFA SURF TOURS
Incredible waves and setups with no crowds; the sweeping landscapes and out-of-this-world wildlife, this is what you can expect from a SA surf trip. But as with any surf travel experience off the beaten path, finding the best surf spots on the right days can be tricky. Add transport problems, finding your way around a foreign country, finding a place to stay or renting a board can become a bit of a headache. That’s where Saffa surf tours come in. They will help you make your dreamy ultimate wave riding trip in South Africa come true.
Their surf holiday packages are fully-guided and include comfortable accommodation, generous and delicious daily meals with local food, board rentals if you don’t have your own board, daily surf transport and guiding to uncrowded spots drawing from their deep bag of local surf knowledge, airport transfer, and booking of add-on activities. Since every surfer has a different idea what the perfect wave, a perfect surf trip is, Saffa surf tours will help you create a surf holiday that suits your vision and budget. Check them out: saffasurftours.com
