Boneyards
- Wave, Shortboard
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Medium waves
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 a world-class exposed reef point break in the Jeffreys Bay area, known for fast, powerful, and hollow waves. The break is associated with a top-section right-hand point break profile (and is also described as working both left and right), delivering long rides—commonly in the 150 to 300 m range—with even longer connections on larger days. Surf performance is strongly tied to swell and tide. Reports describe the wave as best with mid to high tide (including rising tide positions), and it typically starts working at under 1 m and can hold up to around 4 m+ on bigger surf. The spot is also described as very consistent throughout the year, with hollow/ledgey behavior on larger sets. Wind is seasonally favorable for kite/wave styles. For kitesurfing, the best wind directions are East, East-Southeast, and Southeast, with best months in December through March. Thermal sea breezes in summer are described as common, with a typical afternoon window and a typical range around 15–25 knots; reef proximity and performance surf conditions make this a challenging, advanced location. Safety and local access require extra attention. Hazards commonly cited include sharp reef/rocks, kelp, coral and mussel shells, rips/undertow or strong currents, and notable shark risk. Localism can be heavy and etiquette expectations are strict, with reports indicating crowded conditions on weekends and possible restrictions for kitesurfing when the surfing lineup is busy.
- World-class hollow, fast, powerful (and ledgey) reef point break.
- Long ride potential, commonly 150–300 m; longer connections possible on massive swells.
- Summer afternoon sea-breeze/thermal winds favor East to Southeast directions for kitesurfing.
- Serious reef hazards and strong currents; localism can be heavy.
- World-class, hollow point-break profile with very long rides reported on good days.
- Works with East to Southeast winds for kitesurfing in the summer months.
- Clean water and long-running consistency described for surfing conditions.
- High-performance, powerful reef waves make the spot unsuitable for less-experienced riders.
- Sharp reef/rocks and strong currents (plus rips/undertow) increase risk.
- Localism can be heavy; crowded conditions can elevate lineup pressure.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, ESE, SE
- Offshore directions
- N, WNW
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Summer afternoon sea breezes/thermal winds are common.
- Reliability
- Moderate to high during the summer season
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gustiness reported.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–10 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Medium waves
- Beach
- Reef — Mixed reef/shallow rocky character; reef bottom with coral/sharp rocks described.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Spot-level reports describe small base wave size, while other descriptions note bigger swell capability (up to 4 m+).
- Launch
- Small — Rocky shoreline with narrow sandy patches; limited space at high tide.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Launch area described as difficult with narrow/rocky sections and limited high-tide space.
Through the year
Peak crowds during the winter swell season and Christmas holidays
By sport
What to expect for each.
Works with East to Southeast winds for wave riding along a reef-proximate, high-performance section; advanced wave riding with long walls described.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–10 m²
Possible for expert riders, but very demanding due to shallow reef sections and strong current.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil-friendliness reported as limited.
- Wing Sizes
- 4–5 m²
World-class exposed reef point break forming the top section of the J-Bay point; works as both left and right (with a described right-hand point break as the top section).
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- S, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–4 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid, High — Best at mid to high tide; rising tide position noted.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed reef break on an open point.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore in West to Northwest winds; reported as best with North wind (offshore) in spot-level context; cross-shore effects reported for Southeast winds.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds massive size up to 4 m+; becomes heavy and ledgey as swell increases.
- Wave Quality
- World class — World class; very consistent (reported ~150 days/year).
- Wave Power
- Very powerful — Reported as very powerful; holds massive size on bigger swells.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Hollow, fast, powerful, and ledgey.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Faster and hollower than many other sections further down-point.
- Ride Length
- Long — Long rides; can connect into Supertubes on massive swells.
- Typical Ride Length
- 150–300 m
- Ride Length Details
- Commonly 150–300 m with a best/extended range up to roughly 300–500 m on good days (also described as average 50–150 m).
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
- 2–13 ktsGusts 23 kts
- Direction
- SSE156°
- Strongest day
- Tue, Oct 2713 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.0–1.8 m8s period
- Temperature
- 14–24 °C
Over the next 7 days, Boneyards is forecast for daytime winds of 2–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 23 kts. The prevailing direction is SSE. Waves run 1.0–1.8 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
- Rocks
- Coral
- Mussel shells
- Kelp
- Rips/undertow
- Sharp reef
- Strong currents
- Great White Sharks
- Localism
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Yes — NSRI station based in Jeffreys Bay provides emergency response.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital is in Jeffreys Bay; NSRI station 37 is nearby for maritime emergencies. (Regional context also reports 24/7 NSRI emergency response in Jeffreys Bay and general emergency number 112.)
- Localism / Vibe
- Heavy — Localism can be heavy; skill level required is experienced to expert.
Rules of the spot
Experienced surfers only due to reef hazards and high performance. Strict surfing etiquette is required when the lineup is crowded.
- Kitesurfing is generally discouraged when the surfing lineup is crowded.
- Watch the entry and exit points carefully; rocks can be slippery and sharp.
- Respect local surfers—localism can be heavy.
- Stiff paddle out can catch unsuspecting surfers.
- Be especially cautious with crowds and slippery reef sections.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Jeffreys Bay
- Nearest Town
- Jeffreys Bay
- Parking
- Limited street parking and small public lots near the Supertubes park area.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English, Afrikaans, isiXhosa
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous surf houses, hostels, and guest houses are located within walking distance.
- Food & Drink
- Various cafes and restaurants are located within a 5-10 minute walk in the town center.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental available at surf shops in the main town area of Jeffreys Bay. (Kitesurf/wingfoil rentals reported as limited.)
- Gear Storage
- Not available at the beach (spot-level report).
- Gear Repair
- Multiple surfboard repair specialists are located in the Jeffreys Bay industrial area.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The Jeffreys Bay (Kouga) coastal region is a surf-and-wind destination with strong year-round ocean culture, plus nearby nature and coastal attractions.
One of South Africa’s largest renewable energy sites.
Kouga Wind Farm between Oyster Bay and St Francis Bay.
Extensive collection of local and international sea shells.
Local heritage in towns like Humansdorp and Jeffreys Bay.
Kitesurfing and surfing at world-class point breaks.
Hiking trails and bird watching in a coastal estuary environment.
Popular beachfront dining with fresh local seafood and surf views.
Includes a water park and mini-golf area for children.
Safe beaches and tide pools in St Francis Bay.
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 December, January, February, March. The best wind months are January, February, March, December.
Which wind directions work at Boneyards?
Boneyards works with E, ESE, SE winds. Offshore directions are N, WNW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Boneyards?
Recommended equipment sizes at Boneyards: Kitesurfing: 7–10 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–5 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Boneyards suitable for?
Boneyards suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced to Expert · Wingfoiling: Expert · Surfing: Expert.