Eerste Steen
- Wave, Shortboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Expert
- Skill Level
- Chop, Ocean
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Eerste Steen is a fairly exposed beach break near Cape Town with reasonably consistent surf, often best during the summer season. Conditions are typically described as classic regional wave-riding, with offshore southeasterly wind helping to groom the surface for surfing. The spot’s wave character is frequently reported as hollow, fast, and powerful—especially on the right swell day—with wave options generally described as both lefts and rights. The working swell window is reported to start around 1.0–1.5 m and can hold up past 2 m+, with a specific upper note that it may close out when swell exceeds roughly 3 meters. Safety-wise, Eerste Steen is associated with rock hazards and strong rip currents, and the water temperature is consistently cold (around the mid-teens Celsius through most months). Sharks are also specifically listed as a hazard. With no lifeguards reported, riders are advised to treat the launch as higher-risk—particularly when the sea state is larger. Crowds are described as variable: it can be sometimes crowded, especially at weekends with families and picnickers. Wind for wind sports is dominated by the strong southeasterly “Cape Doctor” in summer months, and reported conditions include a moderate gust factor and a typical wind range that supports wave-focused riding styles.
- Fairly exposed beach break with reasonably consistent surf
- Offshore southeasterly wind supports cleaner, hollow conditions
- Strong swell can produce powerful, fast sections
- Fairly exposed beach break with reasonably consistent surf
- Offshore southeasterly wind can groom cleaner, hollow waves
- Often works on both lefts and rights
- Rock hazards and possible rocky outcrops at low tide
- Strong rip currents are common when swell size increases
- Cold Atlantic water
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SE, S, SSE
- Offshore directions
- N, NNE, NE, ENE
- Wind Range
- 15–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Strong southeasterly 'Cape Doctor' wind in summer months, thermally reinforced along the coast.
- Reliability
- High during summer months
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- October, November, December, January, February, March
- Shadow Zones
- Very exposed coastline.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy with possible rock over sand.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Surf size is described as small in one dataset, while another reports working swell starting around 1.0–1.5 m and holding up to 2 m+.
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — Reported as chop in the spot enrichment.
- Launch
- Medium — Flat sandy beach with instant access; spacious sandy beach with occasional rocky sections near the high water mark.
Through the year
Sometimes crowded, especially weekends; busy with families and picnickers can occur.
June to August
By sport
What to expect for each.
Well-known wave riding spot that handles strong southeasterly winds well; tends to have larger, more powerful waves.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–10 m²
Excellent wave sailing for experienced riders; cross-shore winds and consistent swell support jumping and riding.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.2–5.3 m²
Possible but challenging due to heavy shore break and powerful waves; suited for expert foilers targeting wave riding.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil-friendly conditions are limited.
- Min Depth
- Deep enough once past the break.
- Wing Sizes
- 3–5 m²
Fairly exposed beach break with reasonably consistent surf. Offers both lefts and rights; wave direction can vary by day.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low, Mid — Low and mid tide; also described as working on rising and falling tides.
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- The southeasterly wind is offshore here, grooming waves for cleaner, hollow surf.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out when swell exceeds about 3 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Good / regional classic quality.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Often hollow and powerful.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Medium — Good days can produce fast, punchy sections; reported ride lengths range from about 50 to 150 meters.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- On good days, waves can deliver fast, punchy sections with typical normal lengths reported around 50 to 150 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Eerste Steen in the full forecast view.
Eerste Steen wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–16 ktsGusts 29 kts
- Direction
- S182°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2516 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–2.5 m9s period
- Temperature
- 13–31 °C
Over the next 7 days, Eerste Steen is forecast for daytime winds of 2–16 kts, peaking around 16 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 29 kts. The prevailing direction is S. Waves run 0.8–2.5 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
- Reef
- Strong rip currents
- Cold water
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No on-site rescue availability reported for the spot.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospitals are in Bloubergstrand or Melkbosstrand.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Mild localism reported.
Rules of the spot
Located within the Blaauwberg Nature Reserve; permits or entry fees may apply. Respect the local flora and fauna. No dogs allowed in specific reserve zones; use designated parking and picnic areas only.
- No dogs allowed in specific reserve zones
- Designated parking and picnic areas only
- The water is significantly colder than the False Bay side; a thick wetsuit is essential.
- Watch for rocky patches that emerge at low tide.
- Strong rip currents are common, especially when swell size increases.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Cape Town
- Nearest Town
- Table View
- Parking
- Parking available along Marine Drive and marked bays; can be limited at peak times. Dedicated parking at the Eerste Steen picnic area is also reported.
- Access
- Instant access (<5 min walk) from roadside parking along Marine Drive; entry via Blaauwberg Nature Reserve gates.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English, Afrikaans, Xhosa
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Guesthouses and hotels are available in nearby Bloubergstrand and Melkbosstrand.
- Food & Drink
- Braai/barbecue facilities on site; restaurants are a short drive away in Melkbosstrand.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals on site; several shops located in Bloubergstrand are reported.
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 Eerste Steen?
The best overall months at Eerste Steen are December, January, February, March. The best wind months are October, November, December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Eerste Steen?
Eerste Steen works with SE, S, SSE winds. Offshore directions are N, NNE, NE, ENE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Eerste Steen?
Recommended equipment sizes at Eerste Steen: Kitesurfing: 7–10 m² · Windsurfing: 4.2–5.3 m² · Wingfoiling: 3–5 m². The typical wind range is 15–30 kts.
What skill level is Eerste Steen suitable for?
Eerste Steen suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Expert · Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.