Gonubie Point (Gonubie Coast)

Shortboard, Advanced riders
Best for
Intermediate to Advanced
Skill Level
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

About

Gonubie Point is a legendary right-hand point break known for hollow, powerful, fast, ledgy sections that run over a rocky/reef bottom. Across sources, the wave is described as a regional classic with excellent quality and “quick” ride potential—typically under about 50 meters—though on a good swell it can offer fast, connecting sections through the point. It generally starts working at around 1.0–1.5m (about 3–5ft) and can hold to 2m+ (around 6ft+). Tide guidance varies slightly by provider: one source emphasizes low to mid tide on rising/falling conditions, while another highlights mid tide; a baseline recommendation is to look for low and mid tide windows. Optimal swell direction is given as southwest/south with overall best groundswells aligning with that direction. Wind-wise, west and NW conditions are described as beneficial for producing smooth, cleaner faces (offshore/cleaning winds). In contrast, S/SE winds are specifically noted as tending to blow the wave out, making it less desirable. Wind reliability is reported as moderate, with possible turbulence near the headland for some angles. Safety and access are central considerations here: hazards include sharp rocks, sea urchins, reef, and sharks, and currents/rips/undertow are called out as possible—especially around the point and river mouth. Entry can require a rocky shoreline/rock-jump style approach, so timing sets and watching local surfers is advised. The spot may be quiet on weekdays but can draw crowds on weekends, so plan for positioning and respect the local pecking order.

  • Hollow, powerful right-hand point break over reef/rock
  • Works from about 1.0–1.5m and holds to 2m+
  • West/NW winds help clean up the face
  • Crowds increase on weekends; local pecking order and hazards are significant
Great for
Surfing shortboardAdvanced ridersBeginners
What's great
  • Legendary right-hand point break with hollow, powerful, fast sections
  • Works from roughly 1.0–1.5m and can hold to 2m+
  • Onshore-offshore wind behavior can produce clean, smooth faces with west/NW winds
  • Short sessions possible; wave is a regional classic
Heads up
  • Exposed rocky/reef bottom with sharp rocks and sea urchins
  • Currents/rips/undertow can be strong, especially near the point and river mouth
  • Shark risk noted for the area; extra caution advised at dawn/dusk and after heavy rains
  • Spot can get crowded on weekends; local pecking order may apply
Was this description helpful?
Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
W, WNW, SW
Offshore directions
NW, W, SW
Wind Range
10–25 kts
Wind Type
Gradient — Provider notes describe a gradient-type wind pattern; Gemini also reports typical NW/W/SW directions.
Reliability
moderate
Gust Factor
Moderate gusts — Reported gustiness described as moderate-gusts.
Best Months
May, June, July, August
Shadow Zones
Possible turbulence near the headland in specific wind angles.

Water & beach

Water Type
Ocean
Beach
Rocks — Rocky shoreline; reef/rocks and sea urchins.
Beach Size
Small
Waves
Big — Provider disagreement: some describe small size, while others describe big. Working threshold and hold to 2m+ indicate it can get substantially larger.
Launch
Small — Rocky shoreline entry; rock-jump entry reported.
Launch Difficulty
Difficult — Rock-jump entry and rocky shoreline launch.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
17–24 °C
Water Temperature
11–26 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jan–Dec: 3/2mm (or shorty in warmer periods)May–Sep: 4/3mm + Boots
Crowds by Season

Empty on weekdays; can be super crowded on weekends, sometimes with a dedicated local crew when prime.

Storm/Rain Season

Rain can occur year-round but is slightly more frequent in spring and summer.

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

A right-hand point break over a rocky/reef bottom producing hollow, powerful sections. It works from about 1.0–1.5m (3–5ft) and can hold to 2m+ (6ft+), typically with best conditions around low to mid tide (with notes varying between low, mid, and low-to-mid).

Point break
Wave Direction
Right
Optimal Swell
SW, S
Swell Height
1–2.5 m
Optimal Tide
Low, Mid — WannaSurf notes low and mid tide; Perplexity highlights low to mid on rising/falling tides; Gemini lists optimal tide as mid.
Shelter
Exposed — Exposed point-break character.
Wind Effect
West/NW winds tend to clean up and help produce smoother, cleaner waves; S/SE winds blow the wave out.
Bigger Swell
Holds up to 2m+ (6ft+) but becomes increasingly difficult to paddle out and handle currents on larger conditions.
Wave Quality
Excellent — Described as regional classic / excellent wave quality.
Wave Power
Powerful — Hollow and powerful sections are emphasized across sources.
Wave Shape
Hollow — Hollow point-break walls/sections.
Peel Speed
Fast — Fast peeling sections reported.
Ride Length
Short — Sources disagree on phrasing slightly, but both describe short/quick rides: <50m; quickies/short rides; can connect in longer runs on a good swell.
Ride Length Details
Quickies / short rides (<50m). On better swell, can offer fast, wally sections that connect through the point.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Gonubie Point (Gonubie Coast) in the full forecast view.

Gonubie Point (Gonubie Coast) wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
3–15 ktsGusts 27 kts
Direction
E85°
Strongest day
Fri, Oct 3015 kts
Windy days
3/712 kts or more
Waves
1.5–3.3 m8s period
Temperature
16–26 °C

Over the next 7 days, Gonubie Point (Gonubie Coast) 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 1.5–3.3 m with a period of about 8s. 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

  • Rocks
  • Sea urchins
  • Reef/submerged reef
  • Sharks
  • Rips/undertow / strong currents
  • Exposed rocky entry (rock-jump)
Ability Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Recommended Safety Gear
HelmetImpact vestLeashBootsWetsuit

Rescue & support

Lifeguard
None — No lifeguard presence reported for this spot.
Rescue & Self-Rescue
Yes — Regional emergency maritime rescue coverage via NSRI (Station 7 in East London).
Emergency Info
Nearest medical facilities are in East London city center. For maritime emergencies, NSRI provides emergency rescue services for the Gonubie coast.
Localism / Vibe
Moderate — Moderate localism; advised to respect local surfers/pecking order.

Rules of the spot

Respect locals at the point; follow standard surfing etiquette and pecking order.

Restrictions
  • Avoid dawn, dusk, or after heavy rains when the river mouth is murky (increased shark-risk note).
Local Tips
  • Watch local surfers first to time the sets (rock-jump entry can be tricky).
  • Be extra cautious around dawn/dusk and when the river mouth is murky after heavy rains.
  • This spot can get super crowded on weekends; confirm you can comfortably paddle out and manage currents before committing.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
East London
Nearest Town
KuGompo City
Nearest Airport
East London Airport (ELS) (regional context).
Parking
Take a car; straight down main road with easy access. Public parking available near the beachfront/boardwalk area and the Gonubie hotel area.
Public Transport
Public transport is limited (regional context).
Access
Straight down the main road, turn left at the hotel, 350m and look for the big white house (instant access reported).
Local Language
English
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Restaurant
Bar
Accommodation
Nearby town — Gonubie offers nearby accommodation (hotels/guesthouses and self-catering options), including the Gonubie hotel area.
Food & Drink
Cafes, bars, and restaurants are located within walking distance along the Gonubie beachfront area; restaurant/bar within reach.
Equipment Rental:
Surfboards and wetsuits are widely available for rent via local surf schools and shops in East London and Gonubie.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

Best time to visit: Summer months (December to February) for the warmest water and best overall conditions.
Gonubie Boardwalk0 km

Scenic boardwalk along the ocean and river mouth edge with views (including whale watching opportunities).

East London Museum15 km

Features exhibits on local natural history, including the coelacanth.

Mpongo Private Game Reserve35 km

Wildlife reserve offering game drives to see lions, elephants, and other African megafauna.

Gonubie Mouth Hotel1 km

Ocean-view deck, popular for post-session meals and drinks.

Gonubie Main Beach and Lagoon0 km

Family-friendly beach and protected lagoon area.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Gonubie Point (Gonubie Coast)?

The best overall months at Gonubie Point (Gonubie Coast) are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August. The best wind months are May, June, July, August.

Which wind directions work at Gonubie Point (Gonubie Coast)?

Gonubie Point (Gonubie Coast) works with W, WNW, SW winds. Offshore directions are NW, W, SW.

What skill level is Gonubie Point (Gonubie Coast) suitable for?

Gonubie Point (Gonubie Coast) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.