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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
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
- 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
- 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
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
Empty on weekdays; can be super crowded on weekends, sometimes with a dedicated local crew when prime.
Rain can occur year-round but is slightly more frequent in spring and summer.
By sport
What to expect for each.
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).
- 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.
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.
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
- Sea urchins
- Reef/submerged reef
- Sharks
- Rips/undertow / strong currents
- Exposed rocky entry (rock-jump)
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.
- Avoid dawn, dusk, or after heavy rains when the river mouth is murky (increased shark-risk note).
- 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
What's on the beach
- 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.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Scenic boardwalk along the ocean and river mouth edge with views (including whale watching opportunities).
Features exhibits on local natural history, including the coelacanth.
Wildlife reserve offering game drives to see lions, elephants, and other African megafauna.
Ocean-view deck, popular for post-session meals and drinks.
Family-friendly beach and protected lagoon area.
From riders who've been here
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.