Glen Beach (Camps Bay)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Skill Level
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Glen Beach (Camps Bay) is a small, sandy beach-break at the northern end of Camps Bay where surf is typically described as a “sand-bar” wave with fun lefts and hollow/steep rights near the rock features. Wind patterns commonly support clean surfing when winds align from the east to south-east/east-northeast, and these conditions are described as very consistent through the year. The spot is typically at its best in the warmer southern summer period, with repeated notes pointing to December through March for more reliable conditions. Hazards are a major theme for Glen Beach: rocks and reef sit close to the takeoff area, with strong rip currents/undertow reported when surf is up. Multiple findings also warn that bigger swells can become dangerous and often lead to closeouts, especially as shorebreak grows heavier. Suitability is best for more confident surfers. While one baseline database characterizes “all surfers” for skill broadly, other findings describe the wave as high-performance and highlight intermediate-to-advanced expectations due to the protected-but-demanding nature of the peak and the heavy, fast shorebreak behavior under stronger swell. On the practical side, access is easy for visitors—drive/minibus into Camps Bay and the launch is reached within minutes on foot. Local community rules matter at the peak (and restrictions such as no motorized craft are noted). For water protection, a wetsuit is strongly recommended given the consistently cold Atlantic conditions in the region.
- Very consistent surf frequency (around 150 days/year)
- Offshore east/south-east winds can groom waves
- Sandbar beach break with fun lefts and hollow/power potential rights
- Rock and rip-current hazards; shorebreak can be heavy
- Consistent sandbar beach-break surfing with a regional-classic wave feel and long-enough sessions on the right swell.
- East/south-east offshore wind can groom waves in season; frequency is very consistent (~150 days/year).
- Close to Camps Bay/Cape Town infrastructure with easy urban access.
- Dangerous rocks/reef and strong rip currents; conditions can be heavy during high swells.
- Localism can be intense at the peak; respectful behavior is important.
- Cold water (commonly ~12–16°C reported by one provider; regionally cold year-round) makes thermal protection essential.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, SE, NE
- Offshore directions
- E
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Sea-breeze pattern noted for summer; optimal winds are commonly from the east to south-east/east-northeast sector.
- Reliability
- very consistent (~150 days/year)
- Best Months
- January, February, March
- Shadow Zones
- The Twelve Apostles mountain range can cause significant wind shadows and turbulence.
- Thermal Window
- Sea breeze · Afternoon · Months: Dec, Jan, Feb · Dir: SE, SSE · Regional thermal gradient supports stronger afternoon conditions in summer; spot-level data also points to summer/early autumn timing.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach/pocket.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Wave size is described as small-to-medium depending on swell; working swell begins around 1.0–1.5 m in one baseline and can build to 2.5 m+.
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — Shorebreak can be heavy; chop/heaviness increases quickly as swell/conditions build.
- Launch
- Small — Small sandy cove flanked by boulders/rocks; secluded beach feel with soft white sand.
Through the year
Winter (June to August) is the rainy season in Cape Town.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Sandbar beach break in Camps Bay’s northern pocket, producing fun lefts and rights over sandbars; when conditions build, riders can get fast, hollow, powerful shorebreak barrels near the rocks.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low, Mid, All tides — Best on low and mid tide; some sources indicate it can also work when the tide is rising, but low-to-mid is repeatedly favored.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Cove/pocket setting between rocks and boulders provides partial shelter, but the beach can still produce a heavy shorebreak.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore from east/south-east is best and helps groom the waves; cross-conditions can reduce quality.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out and become dangerous on bigger swells; closes out when swell exceeds roughly 2.5–3 m.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Wave quality is repeatedly described as a regional classic.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Regional baseline characterizes it as 'ordinary, fun' with a 'regional classic' quality; provider notes range from fun/ordinary to powerful depending on swell.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Sources describe hollow/fast potential and peeling behavior, with hollow barrels on the right conditions.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Spot-level notes describe medium peel speed; another description characterizes faster, steep rides depending on conditions.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Typical ride length is commonly described in the 50–150 m range; some descriptions suggest shorter, fast rides (30–80 m) depending on swell/shorebreak intensity.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal (50 to 150 m); some conditions produce short, fast rides (about 30–80 m) that end quickly in heavier shorebreak.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Glen Beach (Camps Bay) in the full forecast view.
Glen Beach (Camps Bay) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–15 ktsGusts 34 kts
- Direction
- SSE168°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2515 kts
- Windy days
- 3/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.6–1.9 m9s period
- Temperature
- 15–28 °C
Over the next 7 days, Glen Beach (Camps Bay) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–15 kts, peaking around 15 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 34 kts. The prevailing direction is SSE. Waves run 0.6–1.9 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
- reef
- sharks
- rip currents
- strong undertow when surf is up
- heavy shorebreak
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguard presence is noted for the area; main-beach coverage is typically during peak season (December–March).
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is described as limited at this spot.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospitals are in Cape Town city center. Mobile emergency number: 112 (region-wide).
- Localism / Vibe
- Heavy — Spot-level notes describe mild localism; other findings describe intense/local-community protection at the peak.
Rules of the spot
Respect the local surfing community; the peak is highly protected.
- No dogs on beach from 09:00–18:00, November to March
- No motorized craft
- Take care around rocks and reef; conditions can be dangerous during higher swells.
- Shorebreak can be heavy—choose timing carefully and avoid going out when you’re not confident in the current.
- Check conditions before heading out; be mindful of locals at/near the peak.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Cape Town
- Nearest Town
- Camps Bay
- Parking
- Street parking available in Camps Bay; pull over just after entering from the Sea Point side. Other access notes mention limited parking with a nearby small parking area at a nearby cove/area.
- Public Transport
- MyCiTi bus service runs along the Atlantic Seaboard with stops at major beach areas.
- Access
- Drive or take the minibus to Camps Bay; if coming from Sea Point, it’s the very first spot to pull over once you enter Camps Bay. Instant access (<5 min walk).
- Cost Level
- Expensive
- Local Language
- English, Afrikaans, isiXhosa
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous hotels and guest houses in Camps Bay; many dining options along the Camps Bay strip.
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 Glen Beach (Camps Bay)?
The best overall months at Glen Beach (Camps Bay) are December, January, February, March. The best wind months are January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Glen Beach (Camps Bay)?
Glen Beach (Camps Bay) works with E, SE, NE winds. Offshore directions are E.
What skill level is Glen Beach (Camps Bay) suitable for?
Glen Beach (Camps Bay) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.