Coffee Bay Point
- Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Coffee Bay Point is a reasonably exposed point break on the Wild Coast, known for fairly consistent surf that can work year-round. Waves wrap around the headland to create long, workable rides, with quality improved when winds align from the west to northwest. For swell, the spot is best on south to southwest energy. Winter conditions (especially June through September, with June often cited as the standout month) tend to bring more powerful surf and more frequent longer-period lines. One description notes winter can deliver powerful, often barrelling waves running over sand and reef seafloor, while another describes a quality wrapping right-hand point break with long peeling walls. The entry/exit is a major consideration: the launch area is described as a rocky entry point requiring careful timing between sets. Bigger swells can make entry and exit significantly more dangerous, and currents/rip currents and a sweep toward rocks are reported. Shorebreak is described as moderate, and obstacles include exposed rocks (especially at low tide) and submerged boulders along the point. Safety planning is essential. Hazards include rocks and sharks, and shark activity is possible along this stretch of coast. Avoid surfing alone and avoid low-visibility conditions; additional guidance is to avoid surfing at dawn/dusk or after heavy rain when river mouths may be murky. Lifeguards are not present and rescue availability is reported as not on-site, so plan for self-rescue capability and travel time to medical care in Mthatha (about 1.5–2 hours away).
- Long rights/peeling walls on well-aligned SW/S swells
- Winter often delivers more powerful, barrelling lines
- West to northwest winds commonly groom the wave faces
- Consistent point-break surf with long, workable waves.
- Offshore wind direction often improves wave grooming.
- Strong winter performance with best alignment on south/southwest swell.
- Rugged, rocky entry and exit with significant hazards (rocks and sharks).
- Currents/rip currents can be strong, especially on larger swells.
- No dedicated on-site rescue service or lifeguards reported.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, WNW, N
- Offshore directions
- W, WNW
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — West to west-northwest winds are commonly offshore/grooming for surf; northwest to north winds can also contribute depending on timing.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gustiness reported.
- Best Months
- June, July, August
- Shadow Zones
- The point/nearby headland can shelter the line from strong southerly winds by the headland.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand is reported; other data describes mixed beach composition.
- Waves
- Small — Smaller surf is possible outside peak swell; winter can become much more powerful.
- Launch
- Small — Rocky entry point requiring careful timing between sets.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Rocky entry/exit; timing is critical.
- Shore Break
- Moderate — Moderate shore break reported.
Through the year
Busy during school holidays and when a good swell is running; generally quiet mid-week.
Summer (November to February) often sees higher rainfall and more onshore winds.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A reasonably exposed point break with fairly consistent surf year-round. Waves wrap around the headland and can break both ways (notably offering long rights and also left-hand waves). Winter can bring powerful, often barrelling lines over reef and sand.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SW
- Swell Height
- 1.5–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Works best on a mid tide.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Exposed overall, but can get semi-sheltered by the headland relative to some wind directions.
- Wind Effect
- West and northwest winds are offshore, grooming wave faces; northeast/east winds are onshore and can ruin quality.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size well, wrapping around headlands with long-period energy; entry and exit become significantly more dangerous on bigger swells.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Generally described as good, with consistency improving during winter conditions.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Surf can range from good day-to-day conditions to more powerful winter lines.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Often mixed; can offer peeling sections and occasionally hollow moments in winter.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peels at a medium pace on well-aligned swells.
- Ride Length
- Long — Very long rides are possible when the swell is well-aligned.
- Typical Ride Length
- 200–300 m
- Ride Length Details
- Waves can peel for long distances on well-aligned swells; one source cites peels of about 200–300 meters, and another cites a typical ride length around 250 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Coffee Bay Point in the full forecast view.
Coffee Bay Point wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–15 ktsGusts 27 kts
- Direction
- E90°
- Strongest day
- Fri, Oct 3015 kts
- Windy days
- 3/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.6–3.3 m8s period
- Temperature
- 16–26 °C
Over the next 7 days, Coffee Bay Point is forecast for daytime winds of 3–15 kts, peaking around 15 kts on Friday, October 30 with gusts to 27 kts. The prevailing direction is E. Waves run 1.6–3.3 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
- Rocks
- Sharks
- Strong currents
- Rip currents
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No on-site rescue availability reported.
- Emergency Info
- The nearest major medical facilities are in Mthatha (about 1.5 to 2 hours away). Emergency numbers in South Africa are 10111 or 112 from mobile phones.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Mild localism reported.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect local surfers who frequent the point.
- Do not surf alone.
- Avoid low-visibility conditions.
- Timing the entry across the rocks is critical to avoid being caught by sets.
- Avoid surfing alone or in low visibility; shark sightings are possible along this coast.
- Avoid surfing at dawn, dusk, or after heavy rain when river mouths are murky.
- The spot works best on a SW swell and mid tide; be cautious of the rocks near the inside line.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality
- Nearest Town
- Coffee Bay
- Nearest Airport
- Mthatha Airport (UTT) (~100 km) or East London Airport (ELS) (~280 km); Port Elizabeth and Durban are also cited as alternatives for flights.
- Parking
- Limited parking near the beach hotels and backpackers
- Public Transport
- Limited; most visitors arrive via private 4x4 or shuttle transfers, with limited informal minibus-taxi options.
- Access
- Accessible via a paved road from Mthatha, followed by a short walk from local accommodation or parking areas. Also described as rural and remote shores in the heart of the Transkei on the Wild Coast.
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- IsiXhosa, English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — A mix of rustic backpacker lodges, campsites, and small coastal hotels near Coffee Bay.
- Food & Drink
- Several local restaurants and bars attached to backpackers and hotels offer seafood and traditional meals.
- Equipment Rental:
- Basic surfboards may be available for rent at local backpackers.
- Gear Storage
- Limited storage facilities are occasionally provided by local backpackers for guests.
- Gear Repair
- No professional gear repair services available locally; nearest facilities reported in East London or Durban.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The Coffee Bay area is known for a rugged, outdoors-focused Wild Coast experience with dramatic scenery and hiking opportunities.
A massive detached cliff with a natural archway carved by the sea; also described as a natural coastal arch and hiking destination.
Guided tours offering insight into traditional Xhosa lifestyle, architecture, and customs in the surrounding hills.
Extensive coastal trails connecting Coffee Bay to various remote bays and viewpoints.
Explore Mpuzi cliff edge and caves, including Bat Cave.
Epic cliff jumping opportunities.
A popular social hub for travelers and locals, known for nightly events and a rustic atmosphere.
Safe lagoon areas and wide sandy beaches can be suitable for children during low tide.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Coffee Bay Point?
The best overall months at Coffee Bay Point are June, July, August, September. The best wind months are June, July, August.
Which wind directions work at Coffee Bay Point?
Coffee Bay Point works with W, WNW, N winds. Offshore directions are W, WNW.
What skill level is Coffee Bay Point suitable for?
Coffee Bay Point suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.