Are you planning a trip to South Africa and would like to know the best places to practice your favourite sport in the country? We will help you by giving you the most prominent places to practice in this country of a thousand wonders.
The region to choose if you have little time
The Cape Town area is a must if you want to kitesurf in South Africa. With almost 50 km of coastline, you will find an incredible number of spots, all of them of very good quality and suitable for all levels.
For those who are new to kitesurfing, Muizenberg on the Indian Ocean is a great place to start. It is the perfect spot to learn, but also to improve thanks to the ever present wind. The wind is perfect and the waves are gentle.
Are you more experienced? The west coast will satisfy you. You will practice on the Atlantic. The wind is then side shore oriented and generally blows from the left.
There are many kitesurfing spots on this coastline and you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to having fun in a beautiful setting.
You can go to Scarborough, a pretty beach surrounded by rocks. The winds here are alternately north-westerly and south-easterly and offer a top class spot. This is a place for experienced kitesurfers only. The more adventurous can go from here to Misty Cliffs. Access is directly from the cliffs and requires considerable expertise.
Witsand, another Cape Peninsula site, is a freestyle mecca and will satisfy waveriding enthusiasts. The waves are indeed very big, especially in winter. South and south-easterly winds are present at the shoreline. They are off the northwest. This spices up the kite sessions here, which are reserved for intermediate or more experienced riders, as the waves can be very rough.
The last interesting spot not far from Cape Town is Platboom. Besides waves up to 6 meters high and a strong wind all year round (the famous Cape Doctor), the place is located in the Cape Point nature reserve. The place is impressive and it is better to be an experienced rider to have fun here.
Other spots are also present like Sunset Beach, Langebaan or Big Bay.
What about elsewhere in South Africa?
If you have a little more time, there are other spots to visit. On the east coast, you can discover the assets of Durban. The spot is located a little north of the city. It offers experienced riders a place where waves are king. The south-east wind (onshore type) is very popular with waveriders. However, it should be noted that at times the site can be tricky with gusts of south-westerly wind.
Still on the east coast, you can also discover Hermanus, a lagoon perfect for beginners. The wind is pleasant and the waves offer everything you need to perfect your skills. There are two spots in Struisbaai. Harbour offers flat water and a good south wind (south-east and south-west). Main Beach is a wide bay with waves (left and right) that will satisfy the most demanding. The wind is also obviously present. If you want to enjoy a perfect windy entry, head for the tip of the bay.
Finally, let’s not forget to mention the main spots on the west coast, such as Yzerfontein, Velddrif and Paternoster.
Yzerfontein is not well known, but it is. The place usually works without wind, but when the wind comes from the east, it creates the best waves on the west coast. The place is ideal for high level riders, as it’s trapping.
Velddrif is also for advanced kiteboarders. The spot offers incredibly flat water. However, the channels can be very dangerous when the weather gets rough.
Paternoster is a pretty fishing village. As for kiteboarding, you will find very well shaped waves. The south-east wind creates conditions only for experienced riders (off-shore). But the place is not very popular and is still very pleasant.
Not far from Langebaan, Saldanha is ideal for freeride and freestyle. At low tide the site offers flat water. When the tide comes in, the face of the place changes completely and you can enjoy some nice choppy waves.
When to go kitesurfing in South Africa?
The local summer (December to February) is the best time to go kitesurfing with good wind. Conversely, during the winter (June to August) the wind is less present, but the water is calmer.
If you have any questions about finding the perfect spot for you (as you will have understood, your level plays a big role), don’t hesitate to ask the KGG kitesurf school in Hyères for advice.