Anne Avenue (St Francis Bay)
- Wave, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Skill Level
- Medium waves, Swell
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Anne Avenue in St Francis Bay is a very consistent sandy beach break that’s known for hollow, fast, and powerful waves. It produces both left and right peaks and is reported to work on all tides, with a swell window that can start around 1.0–1.5m and build to 4m+. For surfing, the wave quality is described as a regional classic, with normal ride lengths commonly around 50–150m and longer sessions possible on good days (often extending toward 150–300m). While the break is fast and powerful, it remains rideable on larger swells and can hold significant size up to 4m or more. Wind conditions support kitesurfing and other wind sports: the best wind direction for the site is southeasterly, and summer SE winds often build through the afternoon. Kite conditions are framed as high-performance wave riding, and the typical reported wind range is about 15–25 knots, with common kite sizes clustered around 7–10m. Safety considerations are important here. The spot has reported heavy shore break and strong rip currents, and hazards mentioned include submerged rocks/reef and sharks; kite and windsurf activity also requires avoiding concentrated groups of swimmers and surfers. Overall, the spot is recommended for intermediate to advanced riders, with local lineup concentration around good peaks.
- Very consistent beach break (about 150 days per year reported)
- Hollow, fast, powerful waves; works on all tides
- SE wind supports wave kiting in summer
- Very consistent beach-break with hollow, fast, and powerful waves
- Works on all tides and produces both left and right waves
- Clean water; SE winds can provide good kite conditions in summer
- Heavy shore break and strong rip currents are common, especially on larger swell days
- Safety hazards reported include submerged rocks/reef patches and sharks
- Often an exposed setup, so conditions can be demanding
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Southeasterly winds often build in the afternoon during summer.
- Reliability
- High during the summer season.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- January, February, March, November, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–10 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Medium waves, Swell
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Big — Water and swell are described as medium-to-big for kiting and big for the general physical profile.
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — Heavy shore break is reported.
- Launch
- Medium — Medium-sized sandy beach that narrows significantly at high tide.
Through the year
Weekends and summer holidays (December) can be busy; weekdays are often quiet.
Rain can occur year-round but is slightly more frequent in winter; winter months are most prone to frontal storms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A high-performance wave-kiting spot where the southeasterly wind fills in for powerful beach-break wave riding conditions. Water and waves are described as medium-to-big with clean water.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–10 m²
Suitable for wave windsurfing when swell is manageable and the wind is strong from the southeast.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.2–5.3 m²
Challenging due to heavy shore break and powerful waves; foiling is possible on smaller swell days.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited
- Min Depth
- 1.5m
- Wing Sizes
- 4–5 m²
A very consistent, regional classic beach break with hollow, fast and powerful waves. Works on all tides and produces both left and right waves/peaks.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–4 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Rising and falling tides are workable.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed open-coast style setting; shore break can be heavy.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore-favorable with west/southwest winds; when winds are offshore they groom the faces for surfing.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds significant size and remains rideable up to 4m+; can stay hollow and fast on larger swells.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Regional classic; quality reported as good to excellent depending on conditions.
- Wave Power
- Powerful
- Wave Shape
- Hollow
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Medium — Normal rides are typically 50–150m, and can extend to 150–300m on good days.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal length 50–150m; 150–300m on good days (with the possibility of longer rides on exceptional sets).
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Anne Avenue (St Francis Bay) in the full forecast view.
Anne Avenue (St Francis Bay) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–15 ktsGusts 30 kts
- Direction
- SE135°
- Strongest day
- Tue, Oct 2715 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–2.0 m8s period
- Temperature
- 15–24 °C
Over the next 7 days, Anne Avenue (St Francis Bay) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–15 kts, peaking around 15 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 30 kts. The prevailing direction is SE. Waves run 0.9–2.0 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
- Strong rip currents
- Heavy shore break
- Submerged rocks
- Reef
- Sharks
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Yes — NSRI station response for the bay and surrounding coastline (Regional baseline).
- Emergency Info
- Emergency number in South Africa: 112 from mobile phones. Nearest medical facilities are in St Francis Bay town center.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect the local lineup as the peaks can be concentrated.
- Kiting and windsurfing should be performed away from concentrated groups of swimmers and surfers.
- The spot is best for surfing when the wind is offshore from the West.
- Kiting is best when the SE wind fills in, but be prepared for a difficult launch through the shore break.
- Weekdays are typically quiet; weekends can have fewer people but expect normal lineup concentration around good peaks.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- Nearest Town
- St Francis Bay
- Nearest Airport
- Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ) (~100 km)
- Parking
- Public parking is available at the end of Anne Avenue with direct beach access.
- Public Transport
- Public transport is extremely limited; a rental car or private transport is recommended for accessing the Kouga area
- Access
- Ride into St Francis and head towards the main road running almost straight through the town, then hook into Anne Avenue. Public parking is available at the end of Anne Avenue with direct beach access.
- Local Language
- English, Afrikaans, isiXhosa
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous guesthouses and holiday rentals are located within walking distance in St Francis Bay.
- Food & Drink
- Restaurants and cafes are located in the nearby village center, a few minutes' drive away.
- Equipment Rental:
- Local surf shops in St Francis Bay offer board rentals.
- Gear Storage
- Not available directly at the beach.
- Gear Repair
- Basic surfboard repair is available in town; specialized kite repair may require travel to Jeffreys Bay or Gqeberha.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
An iconic 19th-century lighthouse and an established local landmark.
The only privately owned commercial harbor in South Africa, known for its calamari industry.
A multi-day slackpacking trail through the rugged coastline and dunes.
Waterside dining options specializing in fresh seafood and local 'chokka' (calamari).
Scenic boat tours along the river and canal system, popular for bird watching and sunset views.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Anne Avenue (St Francis Bay)?
The best overall months at Anne Avenue (St Francis Bay) are January, February, March, November, December, May, June, July, August. The best wind months are January, February, March, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Anne Avenue (St Francis Bay)?
Anne Avenue (St Francis Bay) works with SE winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Anne Avenue (St Francis Bay)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Anne Avenue (St Francis Bay): 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 Anne Avenue (St Francis Bay) suitable for?
Anne Avenue (St Francis Bay) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Expert · Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.