Shortboard, Longboard
Best for
Intermediate
Skill Level
Swell
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

About

Dolose Point is a left-hand point break at the harbor edge, known for hollow, fun waves and generally good wave quality when the swell and wind align. It breaks over sandy areas with rock and reef sections (including near the concrete dolosse), which can create fast, punchy wave faces suited to riders who can manage hazards close to the break. The spot works on all tides and is commonly described as starting at less than 1 m of swell, holding up to around 2 m+ in stronger conditions. Typical ride lengths are reported as 50 to 150 m, with longer rides (up to roughly 150–300 m) possible on better days. Larger swell can stay in the pocket for longer before closing out or turning messy, so conditions matter. Wind-wise, the most favorable directions are South-West, South, and South-East. Summer is associated with stronger south-easterly winds, and afternoon peaks are cited for a sea-breeze/thermal pattern; wind can be highly supportive for groomed surf, but offshore/cross-offshore alignment is needed to keep wave quality clean. Wind turbulence near harbor structures and industrial buildings is a noted consideration. Safety is a central factor at Dolose Point: sources consistently list rocks, reef, pollution, and harbor/industrial debris as hazards. The spot is often empty, so pairing up is recommended, and entering should be preceded by checking current water quality information due to the nearby Salt River mouth influence.

  • Left-hand point break with hollow sections
  • Works on all tides
  • Good wave quality when conditions line up
  • Typically empty/low crowd
Great for
Surfing shortboardSurfing longboardAdvanced ridersBeginners
What's great
  • Left-hand point break with hollow, fun wave sections
  • Works on all tides
  • Typically empty/low-crowd conditions
Heads up
  • Water can be impacted by pollution, especially near the Salt River mouth
  • Rocks/reef and harbor-side infrastructure increase hazard risk
  • Industrial shoreline may create restricted access areas
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
S, SSE, SW
Offshore directions
SW, S, SSE
Wind Range
15–30 kts
Wind Type
Mixed — Providers describe a mix of prevailing winds and thermal reinforcement; summer is dominated by strong south-easterly winds.
Reliability
High during summer for wind-based sports, but requires specific directions for clean surf.
Gust Factor
Moderate gusts — Moderate gusts reported.
Best Months
October, November, December, January, February, March
Shadow Zones
Potential turbulence near harbor structures and large industrial buildings.

Water & beach

Water Type
Swell
Beach
Mixed — Sandy with rock; also described as mixed.
Beach Size
Small
Waves
Small — Small to medium swell described (sources range from under 1 m to around 2 m+ holding).
Launch
Medium — Rocky shoreline with concrete dolosse blocks described as the effective launch/entry area.
Launch Difficulty
Moderate — Moderate launch difficulty reported due to rocky entry and harbor-side infrastructure.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
Wetsuit Guide
Jan–Dec: 4/3mm or 5/4mm + Boots, Gloves
Crowds by Season

Generally empty or very low crowds year-round.

Storm/Rain Season

Winter (June to August) is the main rainy season; pollution levels can increase significantly.

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Left-hand point break breaking off the concrete dolosse near the harbor, known for hollow sections and fun rides on the right swell and wind window.

Point break
Wave Direction
Left
Optimal Swell
S, SW
Swell Height
0.5–2.5 m
Optimal Tide
All tides — Works on all tides.
Shelter
Semi-sheltered — Break is off the harbor-side concrete dolosse; described as semi-sheltered overall.
Wind Effect
South and South-East winds provide offshore or cross-offshore conditions that groom the wave; best winds are South-West, South, and South-East.
Bigger Swell
Can hold swell up to about 2 meters or slightly more; may close out or become messy on larger/rougher conditions.
Wave Quality
Good — Good wave quality reported.
Wave Power
Moderate — Moderate wave power reported.
Wave Shape
Mixed — Mixed to hollow sections reported depending on conditions.
Peel Speed
Medium — Described as hollow with a medium peel speed.
Ride Length
Medium — Normal rides are typically 50 to 150 m; can extend longer on good days.
Typical Ride Length
50–300 m
Ride Length Details
Normal rides range between 50 and 150 meters, extending up to 300 meters on good days.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Dolose Point in the full forecast view.

Dolose Point wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
2–15 ktsGusts 31 kts
Direction
S173°
Strongest day
Sun, Oct 2515 kts
Windy days
2/712 kts or more
Waves
0.6–1.9 m9s period
Temperature
15–29 °C

Over the next 7 days, Dolose Point is forecast for daytime winds of 2–15 kts, peaking around 15 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 31 kts. The prevailing direction is S. Waves run 0.6–1.9 m with a period of about 9s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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

  • Pollution
  • Rocks
  • Reef
  • Industrial debris
  • Harbor traffic
Ability Level: Intermediate
Recommended Safety Gear
WetsuitBootsLeash

Rescue & support

Lifeguard
None — No lifeguards reported at the spot.
Rescue & Self-Rescue
No — No rescue availability reported at the spot. (Regional context notes likely limited rescue services along the coast.)
Emergency Info
Nearest hospitals are located in Cape Town City Centre; emergency number cited for the wider area includes 112 (and 10177 from mobile).
Localism / Vibe
None — Sources characterize localism as none; it is described as low-profile and rarely crowded.

Rules of the spot

Check water quality reports before entering; the spot is near the Salt River mouth and conditions can be impacted by pollution.

Restrictions
  • Proximity to the industrial harbor zone may create restricted access areas.
  • Limited parking in industrial areas or roadside near the shoreline.
Local Tips
  • The spot is often empty; surf with a partner for safety.
  • Check water quality reports before entering.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Cape Town
Nearest Town
Paarden Eiland
Parking
Limited parking in industrial areas or roadside near the shoreline
Public Transport
Bus and train services available from Cape Town to Milnerton; also well-served by the MyCiTi rapid transit bus system (Routes 101 and 102).
Access
Access is generally via industrial roads in the Paarden Eiland or harbor area
Cost Level
Moderate
Local Language
English, Afrikaans, isiXhosa
Amenities

What's on the beach

Accommodation
Nearby town — Wide range of hotels and guesthouses in Cape Town city centre and Milnerton.
Food & Drink
Various industrial cafes nearby; full restaurants available in the nearby city centre.
Equipment Rental:
No rentals available at the spot; shops available in Milnerton or Cape Town.
Gear Storage
None.
Gear Repair
None at the spot; multiple shops in the greater Cape Town area.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Dolose Point?

The best overall months at Dolose Point are January, February, March, November, December. The best wind months are October, November, December, January, February, March.

Which wind directions work at Dolose Point?

Dolose Point works with S, SSE, SW winds. Offshore directions are SW, S, SSE.

What skill level is Dolose Point suitable for?

Dolose Point suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.