Gerickes Point
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Gerickes Point (officially Lion Rock) is a remote, exposed point break on the Garden Route near Sedgefield, known for fairly consistent surf and long, workable waves. The bottom is rocky and the point has a ledge that can generate freak waves, so the spot is best approached by experienced surfers who can manage technical, hazardous conditions. Access involves a long shoreline walk from the Swartvlei beach parking area (about 2–3 km one way). Because the launch is remote and conditions can change quickly, it’s important to plan for a long return walk if something goes wrong and to surf with a partner. Hazard management is central here: rocks and sandstone/reef features can become especially dangerous at low tide. Rip currents are also possible around the point, and shark presence has been noted in local warnings. Wind matters a lot—North to North-East winds tend to be offshore, while South or West winds can create heavy chop and reduce ride quality. Best conditions are reported for February, with the spot generally feeling most consistent when waves and offshore wind align. A spring wetsuit is commonly recommended for the typical water temperatures around the mid-to-high teens °C.
- Exposed point break with fairly consistent surf
- Long peeling walls when swell and wind align
- Rarely crowded due to long access walk
- Rock/ledge hazards and tide sensitivity
- Exposed point break with fairly consistent surf and long, workable rides when swell and wind align.
- Rarely crowded due to the effort required to reach the point.
- Water temperature typically supports a spring-style wetsuit range.
- Remote access with a long beach walk (about 2-3 km one way) and limited rescue support.
- Rocky/reef hazards: rocks and a ledge that can produce freak waves, especially when the tide exposes hazards.
- Conditions are wind-sensitive and can get choppy with South or West wind.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, N, NW
- Wind Type
- Gradient
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- February
- Shadow Zones
- High cliffs can cause significant wind shadows and turbulence near the point.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach access along the shoreline.
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Medium
- Launch
- Medium — No direct shore launch in all conditions; typically launch from the beach or rocky edge depending on tide, after walking to the point.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Moderate due to the long access walk and rocky entry/launch depending on tide.
Through the year
Rarely crowded.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed point break with fairly consistent surf. Known for a rocky/reef bottom and a ledge that can produce freak waves.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- SW
- Swell Height
- 2.5–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Offshore with North to North-East winds; extremely sensitive to any South or West wind which creates heavy chop.
- Bigger Swell
- Can hold significant size but paddling out becomes increasingly difficult as the swell increases.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Workable walls reported when the swell and wind align.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Fairly consistent surf; best when conditions line up with the point.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Long
- Typical Ride Length
- 150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Can offer rides up to 200 meters or more on the right swell; typical reported ride length is about 150 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Gerickes Point in the full forecast view.
Gerickes Point wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 1–10 ktsGusts 21 kts
- Direction
- S174°
- Strongest day
- Tue, Oct 2710 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–1.9 m9s period
- Temperature
- 14–24 °C
Over the next 7 days, Gerickes Point is forecast for daytime winds of 1–10 kts, peaking around 10 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 21 kts. The prevailing direction is S. Waves run 0.9–1.9 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
- ledge with many freak waves
- sharks
- rip currents possible around the point
- isolation
- sharp sandstone rocks
- submerged reef
- potential debris after storms
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards present.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Sea rescue coverage is limited along this stretch of coast.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in Sedgefield or George.
Rules of the spot
PUBLIC ACCESS: Yes. General surfing etiquette applies; the spot is remote, so it is recommended to surf with a partner.
- Surf with a partner due to remoteness.
- Long walk to access: walk about 2-3 km from Swartvlei beach parking, then paddle in; plan for a long return walk if anything goes wrong.
- Check the tide carefully—rocks can become dangerous and more exposed at low tide.
- Watch for freak waves over the ledge.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Sedgefield
- Nearest Town
- George
- Parking
- Public/private beach parking area at the Swartvlei turnoff/Swartvlei Beach parking lot (single-track road).
- Access
- Drive N-2 toward Sedgefield from George, turn at Swartvlei (single-track road) to beach parking; walk about 2-3 km along the shoreline to reach the point.
- Local Language
- English, Afrikaans, Xhosa
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Guest houses and campsites are available in Sedgefield and nearby.
- Food & Drink
- No facilities at the spot; shops and cafes in Sedgefield.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals available at the beach; closest shops are in Sedgefield or George.
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 Gerickes Point?
The best overall months at Gerickes Point are February.
Which wind directions work at Gerickes Point?
Gerickes Point works with NE, N, NW winds.
What skill level is Gerickes Point suitable for?
Gerickes Point suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced to Expert.