Boneyards
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Ocean, Swell
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Boneyards is described as an exposed reef break that produces fast, steep takeoffs over a shallow, rocky reef. The wave pattern is repeatedly characterized as powerful and hollow, and the spot is described as deceptive—often looking more manageable than it feels once waves build and break over boulders. Two surfing descriptions emphasize the same core challenge: the reef is shallow and rocky, which makes the spot highly hazardous at low tide. Hazards noted include rocks/shallow reef, slippery rocky entry, and strong currents and surges around the reef. With local presence and tight positioning at the takeoff zone, strict surf etiquette is specifically emphasized. In terms of conditions, winter is highlighted as a strong season for swell at this location in one enrichment source, with peaks mentioned in June and July. Another enrichment source describes colder water conditions and the importance of wind direction: south-easterly winds are linked to cleaner offshore conditions, while southerly winds may be moderated by headland shelter. The overall guidance is that you need a solid swell for the reef to work, and big-swell behavior can become extremely heavy. For safety planning, the spot is labeled as requiring advanced/expert ability, with no lifeguard presence. Local tips focus on avoiding low tide, respecting locals, and being aware of marine wildlife that can be present around the broader Cape Peninsula waters.
- Fast, steep takeoffs over a shallow reef
- Hollow, powerful sections
- Serious rocky hazard—especially at low tide
- High-performance reef surfing with fast, hollow sections.
- Works best with the right swell window and timing (mid-tide noted).
- Dangerous at low tide due to shallow reef/rocks.
- Powerful, intense waves that break over boulders/shallow reef require advanced technique.
- No lifeguards and strong currents/surges near the reef.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- ESE, SE
- Offshore directions
- E, SE, S
- Wind Range
- 15–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — South-easterly 'Cape Doctor' (thermal) in summer; winter more often sees north-westerly frontal winds per regional pattern.
- Reliability
- high
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Thermal Window
- Sea breeze · Afternoon · Dir: SE, S · Cape Doctor intensification is described as strengthening around late morning into the afternoon (approx. 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM).
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean, Swell
- Beach
- Reef — Reef/rocky shoreline is described.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Big — Big waves are described, with behavior that can become extremely heavy/dangerous on significant swell.
- Launch
- Small — Rocky shoreline / rocky entry with dense kelp beds.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Rocky shoreline entry with dense kelp beds; slippery entry and strong currents noted.
Through the year
Can be busy when conditions are optimal, especially with experienced local riders.
Winter months (May to August) see the most rainfall and large storm swells.
By sport
What to expect for each.
An exposed reef break with fast, steep takeoffs over shallow rocky reef. It is described as deceptively good-looking but can be intensely powerful with waves breaking over boulders; right-hand performance is often highlighted.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- SW, WSW
- Swell Height
- 1.5–4 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Best noted as mid-tide; described as safer than low tide for avoiding the shallow reef.
- Shelter
- Sheltered — Shelter is described from southerly winds by nearby headland features; otherwise it is described as an exposed reef environment.
- Wind Effect
- South- to south-easterly winds are described as providing cleaner offshore conditions when they blow offshore from the direction stated; southerly winds are also described as being sheltered by a headland.
- Bigger Swell
- Can break strongly on big southeast/south swells; may become extremely heavy and dangerous on significant size.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Powerful
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Heavy, hollow sections are noted for advanced/high-performance surfing.
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Medium — Fast, high-intensity rides; short intense barrel sections are mentioned.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Fast, high-intensity rides that can include short, intense barrel sections.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Boneyards in the full forecast view.
Boneyards wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 5–20 ktsGusts 37 kts
- Direction
- SSE159°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2520 kts
- Windy days
- 6/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–3.1 m9s period
- Temperature
- 15–24 °C
Over the next 7 days, Boneyards is forecast for daytime winds of 5–20 kts, peaking around 20 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 37 kts. The prevailing direction is SSE. Waves run 0.9–3.1 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
- rocks
- localism
- intense waves breaking over boulders
- shallow reef
- dense kelp forests
- slippery rocky entry
- strong rip currents and surges near the reef
- shallow reef makes it dangerous at low tide
- Great White Sharks (known presence in the waters around the Cape Peninsula)
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Spot-level guidance states no rescue availability.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are described as being in Fish Hoek or Cape Town; emergency number noted for the region is 112.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Moderate localism; respect local surfers due to the hazard and tight takeoff zone.
Rules of the spot
Minimize time in the pool near the break and follow strict surf etiquette because the takeoff zone is tight; respect local surfers.
- Do not ignore local surf etiquette due to moderate localism.
- Avoid low tide if you cannot manage the shallow reef hazard.
- Be cautious at low tide due to the shallow reef/rocky bottom.
- Watch the takeoff area closely—local presence and shallow reef make it tight.
- Surfing mid-tide is noted as a safer timing to avoid hitting the reef at low tide.
- Be aware of possible seal activity as well.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Jeffreys Bay
- Nearest Town
- Jeffreys Bay
- Parking
- Park on the road above the spot.
- Access
- Park on the road above the spot and walk down a grass track to a jump-off point (roadside parking above the launch).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English, Afrikaans, and Xhosa
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Guesthouses and rentals are described in Kommetjie and Scarborough; nearby accommodation is also described across Kommetjie, Noordhoek, and Hout Bay.
- Food & Drink
- Local cafes and restaurants in Kommetjie village are described as available.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is described as available in nearby Muizenberg or Noordhoek.
- Gear Repair
- Gear repair is described as available in Muizenberg.
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 Boneyards?
The best overall months at Boneyards are May, June, July, August.
Which wind directions work at Boneyards?
Boneyards works with ESE, SE winds. Offshore directions are E, SE, S.
What skill level is Boneyards suitable for?
Boneyards suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced to Expert.