16 Mile Beach (Yzerfontein)
- Wave, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate to Expert
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
16 Mile Beach (Yzerfontein) is a West Coast classic left beach-break set on a long sandy shoreline with rocky/reef influence near the ends. Surf typically features fast, hollow wedge-like sections that link from rock-slab into sand banks, with wave direction generally running left. Wave quality is described as good/regional classic, and normal ride lengths are commonly in the 50 to 150m range, with some sessions extending to roughly 300 to 500m on good days. The spot is generally exposed and can be hazardous near reef/rock, with reports of scattered rocks and reef patches (especially toward the southern end). Cold Benguela Current water makes thermal management important year-round, and rip-current/side-drift risk is noted by providers. Large swells may reduce rideability, with indications that conditions can close out when the swell is too big (around or above the multi-meter range). Wind-based sports are supported by a summer-dominant South-Easterly/thermal pattern, with providers noting that wind can clean up with SE/E directions and blow out under more westerly components. For kitesurfing, the long sandy stretch is described as excellent for wave riding and downwinders, with typical kite sizing in the 7 to 10m range for common summer conditions. Windsurfing is characterized as more challenging and suited to advanced sailors comfortable with Atlantic swell. Wingfoiling is described as foil-friendly for open-ocean swell, with the shore break potentially making entry more challenging. Crowd levels are described as very quiet on weekdays and only a few surfers on weekends. Safety support is noted via regional sea-rescue presence in Yzerfontein, and lifeguards are described as seasonal. Overall, this spot rewards prepared, intermediate-to-advanced riders who can manage cold-water conditions and reef/rip hazards while working within the right wind and swell window.
- Long sandy beach suitable for surf and wind sports
- Reliable left wave with potential for long rides (often 50 to 150m; up to ~300–500m on good days)
- Summer wind pattern supports kite/wing/windsurfing
- Long, uninterrupted sandy beach area that can produce a left beach-break with long rides
- Often empty on weekdays and generally quiet compared with busier coastal zones
- Strong seasonal wind pattern supports wind sports in summer
- Cold water (around 12–17°C in many months) requiring proper wetsuit protection
- Exposed conditions with rock/reef hazards and occasional rip currents/side drift
- Wave can close out on larger swells (and may blow out with certain wind directions)
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SSE, S, NW
- Offshore directions
- NW, WNW
- No-go directions
- W, WNW
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Thermal sea-breeze component; strong South-Easterly wind commonly boosts conditions in summer afternoons.
- Reliability
- Higher in summer months (provider describes high reliability during summer pattern).
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Providers describe steady wind/gust behavior during the relevant summer pattern.
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–10 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy with rock/reef patches.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Providers generally rate wave size as medium.
- Launch
- Medium — Launch described as simple/easy with an extremely wide and long sandy beach providing ample space.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Launch described as easy; wide open beach area.
Through the year
Weekdays: empty; weekends: few surfers.
June to August
By sport
What to expect for each.
Providers describe excellent conditions for wave riding and downwinders along the long sandy stretch for kite users during the summer wind pattern.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–10 m²
A challenging wave spot for those comfortable with Atlantic swells.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.2–5.3 m²
Suitable for foiling in open-ocean swell; shore break can be a challenge.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly conditions indicated.
- Min Depth
- 1.5m
- Wing Sizes
- 4–5 m²
Regional classic left beach-break that can run from rock-slab to sandy banks. Produces lefts over sandy banks with occasional rock sections; fires well on the right swell and wind window.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- S, SW, WNW, W
- Swell Height
- 1.2–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — One provider indicates mid tide as optimal.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed open coast with little shelter; some protection at the southern end but more rocks.
- Wind Effect
- Best with glassy or offshore berg wind; wind can clean up with SE/E winds and can blow out with W/NW winds.
- Bigger Swell
- Above about 3 meters it can close out; another provider notes that on very large swells (around 10 ft) it tends to close out.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Characterized as good/regional classic.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Two providers characterize it as powerful/moderate depending on conditions; generally a punchy regional classic wedge-to-sand wave.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Fast hollow wedge over rock slab transitioning to sand banks; some providers also describe peeling/hollow tendencies.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Provider notes fast/medium peel depending on wind-swell state.
- Ride Length
- Long — Good day length: very long (about 300 to 500m); normal rides commonly 50 to 150m.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal length is commonly 50 to 150m; good days can extend to roughly 300 to 500m.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for 16 Mile Beach (Yzerfontein) in the full forecast view.
16 Mile Beach (Yzerfontein) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–19 ktsGusts 30 kts
- Direction
- SSW192°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 2619 kts
- Windy days
- 6/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–2.6 m8s period
- Temperature
- 13–26 °C
Over the next 7 days, 16 Mile Beach (Yzerfontein) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–19 kts, peaking around 19 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 30 kts. The prevailing direction is SSW. Waves run 0.9–2.6 m with a period of about 8s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Reef
- Rock slab
- Scattered rocks and reef patches near the southern end of the beach
- Rip currents
- Cold water (Benguela Current)
- Sharks
- Submerged rocks
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards described as seasonal.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Yes — NSRI station presence within Yzerfontein for 24-hour emergency sea rescue.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in Yzerfontein or Malmesbury. Regional emergency guidance indicates NSRI 24-hour sea rescue support in Yzerfontein and the mobile emergency number 112.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Mild localism indicated; visitors should still respect local surfers.
Rules of the spot
Build up at softer waves first; this is not a beginner break. Respect local surfers and stay clear of designated swimming areas if present.
- Need glassy or offshore berg wind conditions for best wave quality.
- The southern end near the town provides some shelter but has more rocks.
- Bring appropriate cold-water protection; a thicker wetsuit is essential given the very cold Benguela Current.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Yzerfontein
- Nearest Town
- Yzerfontein
- Nearest Airport
- Cape Town International Airport (CPT) - approximately 100 km.
- Parking
- Public parking available at the main beach entrance in Yzerfontein.
- Public Transport
- Virtually non-existent; a private vehicle or rental car is essential.
- Access
- Take a car; instant access (<5 min walking distance) from the main beach entrance area.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Afrikaans, English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Guesthouses and self-catering options available in Yzerfontein town.
- Food & Drink
- Several cafes and restaurants within walking distance of the main beach entrance.
- Equipment Rental:
- Limited availability in town; specialized kite/wing equipment rental is mostly found in nearby Langebaan or Cape Town.
- Gear Storage
- Limited local storage per regional context.
- Gear Repair
- No specialized kite/wing repair shops in the immediate village per regional context.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A quiet, nature-focused West Coast area centered on Yzerfontein and the long shoreline of 16 Mile Beach, with outdoor recreation and wildlife viewing nearby.
A sprawling nature reserve famous for birdlife, spring flowers, and the turquoise Langebaan Lagoon.
A San culture and education center offering insight into the indigenous San people.
Private game reserve offering safaris to see rhinos, lions, and buffalo.
A rustic beach restaurant famous for fresh West Coast seafood and its position on 16 Mile Beach.
The longest uninterrupted sandy beach in South Africa, ideal for long walks and shore fishing.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at 16 Mile Beach (Yzerfontein)?
The best overall months at 16 Mile Beach (Yzerfontein) are April, May, June, July, August, September. The best wind months are May, June, July, August.
Which wind directions work at 16 Mile Beach (Yzerfontein)?
16 Mile Beach (Yzerfontein) works with SSE, S, NW winds. Offshore directions are NW, WNW. No-go directions are W, WNW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at 16 Mile Beach (Yzerfontein)?
Recommended equipment sizes at 16 Mile Beach (Yzerfontein): Kitesurfing: 7–10 m² · Windsurfing: 4.2–5.3 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–5 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is 16 Mile Beach (Yzerfontein) suitable for?
16 Mile Beach (Yzerfontein) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.