Bococks Bay
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Empty
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Bococks Bay is a remote, fairly exposed left-hand point break on Namibia’s Skeleton Coast, best known for consistent, workable waves. Surf quality is described as good, with conditions improving when south winds are present, and when swell provides enough energy to form clean, peeling walls along the sandy/rocky point.
- Quality left-hand point-break surf
- Long, peeling rides on well-formed banks
- South winds provide grooming/offshore tendencies
- Fairly exposed, consistent point break with quality left-hand waves
- Long, workable rides when banks are well-formed
- Very low crowd levels
- South winds are typically best for grooming
- Remote and highly isolated access (self-sufficient travel required)
- Shark presence reported in the area
- Cold water year-round
- No lifeguards or organized rescue on-site
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S
- Offshore directions
- S
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Regional sources indicate prevailing southerly winds reinforced by desert–ocean temperature contrast; spot-level guidance also describes frontal wind influence.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- March, April, May, June, July, August, September
- Thermal Window
- Other · Afternoon · Months: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec · Dir: S · Thermal effect strongest in the afternoon (about 12:00 PM–6:00 PM), supporting consistent winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Reported as small to medium depending on conditions.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy beach with rocky outcrops.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate
Through the year
Usually very low; you will often be the only person in the water.
Extremely arid; rain is extremely rare in this desert region.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Fairly exposed, consistent point break delivering long left-hand walls; quality improves with south winds and sufficient swell.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- SW, WSW
- Swell Height
- 1.5–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- South and Southeast winds provide cross-shore to offshore grooming; best with south winds.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds significant size but can become difficult to paddle out.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Long — Long, workable left-hand waves; can peel for several hundred meters when the swell is large and banks are well-formed.
- Ride Length Details
- Waves can peel for several hundred meters on well-formed banks with a larger swell.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Bococks Bay in the full forecast view.
Bococks Bay wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–18 ktsGusts 27 kts
- Direction
- SSW211°
- Strongest day
- Tue, Oct 2718 kts
- Windy days
- 3/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.4–1.9 m9s period
- Temperature
- 13–23 °C
Over the next 7 days, Bococks Bay is forecast for daytime winds of 4–18 kts, peaking around 18 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 27 kts. The prevailing direction is SSW. Waves run 1.4–1.9 m with a period of about 9s. 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
- Sharks
- Cold water
- Strong currents
- Extreme isolation
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Remote area with no organized local rescue services/coastguard base reported; rescue described as limited.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in Henties Bay, about 50 km south; regional guidance also references Swakopmund for emergency services and the national emergency number 10111.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — Localism reported as none.
Rules of the spot
Be fully self-sufficient: access is remote and there are no organized services at the spot.
- Always carry sufficient water and fuel and travel with a 4WD in this remote desert access.
- March is often cited as the most reliable month for cleaner conditions.
- Conditions are strongly influenced by cold Benguela Current water—prepare for consistently chilly water temperatures.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Swakopmund
- Nearest Town
- Henties Bay
- Nearest Airport
- Walvis Bay International Airport (WVB)
- Parking
- Informal parking on the sand dunes or beach tracks.
- Public Transport
- Virtually non-existent; 4x4/self-drive recommended for coastal access
- Access
- Access is via the C34 salt road north of Henties Bay. A 4WD vehicle is highly recommended due to sandy tracks off the main road; spot is about 160 kilometers north of Swakopmund on Namibia’s remote Skeleton Coast with unpaved desert driving.
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- English, Afrikaans, German
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping and self-catering options are available in Henties Bay; no accommodation at the spot.
- Food & Drink
- None; bring all supplies from Henties Bay.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals available on-site; equipment rental may be available via specialized operators in Swakopmund or Walvis Bay.
- Gear Storage
- No public gear storage available in the immediate vicinity.
- Gear Repair
- Minor repair services available in Swakopmund (not at the spot).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Bococks Bay?
The best overall months at Bococks Bay are May, June, July, August, September. The best wind months are March, April, May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Bococks Bay?
Bococks Bay works with S winds. Offshore directions are S.
What skill level is Bococks Bay suitable for?
Bococks Bay suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.