Cape Saint Francis
- Freeride, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Small waves, Swell
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Cape Saint Francis is an exposed, sandy-beach setting known for very consistent, world-class right-hand wave shape. Surf conditions are described as fast and fun, with peeling walls that can hold up well as swell builds, and rides are reported as exceptional in length on good days. Across the year, the spot is repeatedly referenced as a strong choice for surfing and is particularly associated with a peak season in colder months: one guide highlights strong October conditions, while other descriptions emphasize consistency through the April-to-September window and especially winter swell patterns. When conditions are right, the wave can start working around roughly 1.0–1.5 m and hold up to about 3 m+. For wind sports, the beach setting provides significant space for kiting launches, with best wind directions reported from ENE through WSW and typical kitesurf winds around 15–25 knots. Summer thermal sea breezes from the East/South-East reinforce the wind-driven window in the afternoon, and one source notes kitesurfing reliability is highest in summer for the favored directions. Safety-wise, rocks and sharks are specifically mentioned as hazards, alongside strong currents/rips. Seasonal lifeguard zones may apply, and rescue availability is described as limited at the spot level—so riders should plan conservatively, respect swimming/kiting separation, and take care when moving along the point area (including preparing for long walks).
- World-class right-hand wave reputation and high consistency
- Sandy beach environment with space for kitesurf launching
- Summer afternoon thermal sea breezes support kiting
- World-class, highly consistent right-hand waves
- Expansive sandy beach launch space supports multiple wind sports
- Rocks and sharks present; strong currents and rips reported around the point area
- Walk to the point can be long
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, ESE, ENE, SSW, SW, WSW
- Offshore directions
- S
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Wind pattern described as a mix of prevailing directions and summer thermal sea breezes.
- Reliability
- High during summer months for kiting; winter brings stronger frontal winds.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- January, February, November, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Small waves, Swell
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium — Surf conditions described as medium to big depending on swell.
- Launch
- Medium — Spacious sandy beach area north of the lighthouse for kiting; surfers launch from the rocky point or the beach depending on the peak.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Launch areas involve sandy beach access for kiting; point areas can involve rocks/long approaches.
Through the year
Can become crowded at the point during peak holiday seasons (including December and Easter) and on weekends with good swells.
Winter months are most prone to frontal storms; rain is possible year-round but more frequent in winter.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Suitable for kitesurfing with favorable winds from ENE through WSW; versatile for wave kiting and freeride with plenty of launching space.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Excellent wave sailing when wind and swell align; less commonly frequented than neighboring areas for pure slalom.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–5.8 m²
Suitable for foiling in deeper water off the beach, but swell and shore break require competent handling.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly conditions reported for the deeper-water area off the beach.
- Min Depth
- 2 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Exposed sand-bottom right-hand waves with fast, fun peeling walls; described as very consistent and world-class.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- SW
- Swell Height
- 1–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid, All tides — Best described as mid-tide on one reference, with another noting all tides (rising and falling).
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Cross-offshore grooming is noted as prevalent; offshore grooming is favored when winds align from the north/north-west.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size well up to around 3 meters and beyond, becoming high-performance as swell builds.
- Wave Quality
- World class — World-class/exceptional quality reported.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Wave power described as fast/fun; one source rates it powerful.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Described as fast on the exposed right-hand break; one source notes medium peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Medium — One source describes medium ride lengths; another describes exceptional rides that can exceed 500 meters on a good day (about 300–500 m typical).
- Typical Ride Length
- 300–500 m
- Ride Length Details
- Rides can exceed 500 meters on a good day by connecting sections along the point into the bay; typical rides reported around 300–500 m.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Cape Saint Francis in the full forecast view.
Cape Saint Francis wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–14 ktsGusts 28 kts
- Direction
- SE127°
- Strongest day
- Tue, Oct 2714 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.6–3.2 m9s period
- Temperature
- 15–24 °C
Over the next 7 days, Cape Saint Francis is forecast for daytime winds of 3–14 kts, peaking around 14 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 28 kts. The prevailing direction is SE. Waves run 1.6–3.2 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
- Sharks
- Strong currents
- Rips
- Reef
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguard zones.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability described as limited at/around the spot; regional emergency response is available via NSRI.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facilities are in St Francis Bay or Humansdorp. Emergency number from mobile phones: 112. Police: 10111; Ambulance: 10177.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Respect local priorities at the point.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies at the point; respect local priorities. Designated kiting areas are generally north of the main swimming zones.
- Seasonal lifeguard zones
- Seal Point is very consistent and often works when other nearby spots are flat.
- Prepare for a long walk to the point area (the route across dunes/rocks can take time).
- Designated kiting areas are generally north of the main swimming zones.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Port Elizabeth
- Nearest Town
- Cape St Francis
- Parking
- Public parking available near the lighthouse and main beach access points.
- Local Language
- English, Afrikaans, Xhosa
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Accommodation spans St Francis Bay and Cape St Francis, including surf hostels and self-catering cottages.
- Food & Drink
- Several cafes and restaurants are located within the village of Cape St Francis.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental gear for surfing and kitesurfing is available via local schools and surf shops in St Francis Bay and Jeffreys Bay.
- Gear Storage
- Some schools and surf-focused lodges in Cape St Francis offer gear storage.
- Gear Repair
- Basic repair services available in the nearby town of St Francis Bay.
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 Cape Saint Francis?
The best overall months at Cape Saint Francis are April, May, June, July, August, September. The best wind months are January, February, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Cape Saint Francis?
Cape Saint Francis works with E, ESE, ENE, SSW, SW, WSW winds. Offshore directions are S.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Cape Saint Francis?
Recommended equipment sizes at Cape Saint Francis: Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–5.8 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Cape Saint Francis suitable for?
Cape Saint Francis suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.