Muizenberg
A popular beginner-friendly beach break in Cape Town.
Gentle beach break perfect for beginners, featuring long, mellow waves that peel consistently. Popular learning spot with excellent facilities and year-round surfing.
Wave Height
Wind Speed
Water Temperature
15.5°C
Surf Forecast
Rating Scale:
- Epic (5.0)
- Good (4.8+)
- Fair to Good (4.0+)
- Fair (3.6+)
- Poor to Fair (2.5+)
- Poor (2.0+)
- Very Poor (<2.0)
Tuesday, 19 Aug
Daylight Times
Tide Times
Daily Overview
Overall Tuesday is showing potential but checking local webcams and conditions is recommended with waves holding around 0.9m. The swell is predominantly coming from the South West (SW), with light North West (NW) winds averaging 5km/h.
During daylight hours, the best conditions are expected between 09:00 - 12:00, with a rating of 4.2/5. During this period, lighter winds will provide cleaner surf conditions.
Spot Information
Muizenberg is Cape Town's premier learning spot and one of South Africa's most historic surfing beaches. The gentle, rolling waves break over a sandy bottom, creating perfect conditions for beginners and longboarders alike. The beach's unique geography and exposure to both winter and summer swells ensures year-round surfability.
The break is characterized by its long, mellow walls that peel consistently, offering rides of up to 100 meters on good days. The wave's forgiving nature makes it ideal for practicing fundamental surfing skills, while more experienced surfers can still find enjoyment on bigger days or during early morning sessions when conditions are cleanest.
The beach is well-equipped with numerous surf schools, equipment rental shops, and beachfront cafes. The iconic Victorian-era beach boxes add a splash of color to the shoreline and have become a symbol of Cape Town's surf culture. The water is warmer than the Atlantic side of the peninsula, though a wetsuit is still recommended year-round.
Local tip: Early morning sessions before the southeasterly wind picks up offer the best conditions. The inside section near Surfer's Corner is ideal for beginners, while the outside breaks can provide more challenging waves for intermediate surfers.
Required Skill Level
Hazards & Warnings
Wave Characteristics
- Break Type:
- Beach Break
- Bottom Type:
- Sand
- Wave Quality:
- Mellow
- Wave Speed:
- Slow
- Wave Length:
- Medium
- Consistency:
- 4/5
Ideal Conditions
Wind:
Swell:
Tides:
All TidesPeak Season:
Best Times:
Environmental Factors
- Water Quality:
-
Good
- Located in False Bay, Muizenberg's water quality is generally good but can be affected by urban runoff, especially after heavy rainfall. The beach has Blue Flag status during summer season (December to February). Storm water outlets near Surfers Corner can temporarily impact water quality after rain. Water quality is typically best during summer months, with winter rainfall potentially causing temporary degradation. The City of Cape Town conducts regular water quality testing at this beach.
- Summer Water Temp:
- 18-22°C
- Winter Water Temp:
- 12-16°C
- Wind Protection:
- Low
- Swell Exposure:
- Moderate
- Tide Sensitivity:
- Low
Logistics
- Crowd Level:
- Often Crowded
- Access:
- Easy
- Parking:
- Ample parking along Beach Road
- Facilities:
- Showers Toilets Restaurants Surf Shops Life Guards
- Inner Bar:
- 1-2m
- Middle Zone:
- 2-4m
- Outer Zone:
- 4-6m
- Average Slope Ratio:
- 1:50
- Respect the learn-to-surf zones
- Give way to surf schools
- No dropping in on beginners
- No surfing in designated swimming areas
- Surf schools have priority in marked areas
Bathymetry Profile
Gentle gradient sandy bottom with approximately 1:50 slope. Wide surf zone extending 100-200m from shore. Multiple sandbars running parallel to beach create sequential breaking zones.