Humewood
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Humewood is a sheltered breakwater/jetty surf spot in Gqeberha built around the “6 Pillars” storm-water pipes. It typically produces a right-hand wave that breaks off the structure, offering short but intense rides when conditions line up. Across sources, the common theme is that Humewood is not reliably “on” for small conditions; it tends to come alive on heavier swells. It starts working at less than 1 meter and can hold up to around 2 meters or more, with hollow, fast surf and generally good/“Regional Classic” wave quality. Wind-wise, the surf is favored by southwest and west directions. When the wind aligns offshore (noted particularly for southwest winds), conditions tend to suit the wave shape better—while westerly conditions can be affected by town/harbor sheltering. For safety, treat the pillars and nearby rocks/reef/submerged rocks as the main risk area, and be prepared for rip-current behavior near structures. The beach is associated with strong cleanliness and service standards, and lifeguards are described as seasonal; follow lifeguard instructions/Blue Flag guidance during peak periods, and avoid going in during heavy crowds if you’re new.
- Right-hand surf off the '6 Pillars' structures
- Hollow, fast rides when it’s firing
- Blue Flag beach standards associated with cleanliness and safety services
- Easy access from Marine Drive with parking near the pillars
- Sheltered breakwater/jetty setup that produces a right-hand wave.
- Hollow, fast wave quality on a sandy bottom when it’s firing.
- Blue Flag beach standards are associated with cleanliness and service levels.
- Easy access from Marine Drive with parking close to the launch area.
- Spot only works when conditions are just right (often needs a large/clean swell to wrap in properly).
- Hazards around the structures (rocks/reef/submerged rocks and concrete pillars).
- Can be crowded at times (notably around weekends/holidays).
- Rip currents may occur near structures.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, SW
- Offshore directions
- W, SW
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Westerly/southwesterly pattern is favored for the surf wind direction; sources describe trade or frontal influence depending on context.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Both sources describe moderate-gust conditions.
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August
- Shadow Zones
- Sheltered from strong westerly winds by town/harbor structures (wind-shadow effect).
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Small-wave descriptions are given, but the spot is described as primarily reliable on larger swells to wrap into the bay.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach with easy access.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Wide beach and straightforward access from the road.
Through the year
Heavier during summer holidays (December–January); quieter in winter months.
Winter months see more frontal systems (noted as a winter rainy/storm-activity period).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Humewood is a sheltered breakwater/jetty-style right-hand surf spot built around the '6 Pillars' storm-water pipes. It works when conditions are just right and tends to come alive on heavier swells, producing short, hollow, fast rides off the structures on a sandy bottom.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- W, SW, S, SE
- Swell Height
- 0.8–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Some sources note best shape at rising tide; others list all tides.
- Shelter
- Sheltered — Sheltered spot associated with breakwater/jetty conditions.
- Wind Effect
- Favorable with southwest or west wind; wind is described as offshore in southwest conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds up to 2 m+; starts to fire when other nearby spots are maxed out.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Regional Classic / good wave quality when it’s firing.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Described as hollow and fast; overall power is reported as hollow/fast and sometimes moderate depending on swell size.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Right-hand wave with hollow, fast sections when conditions align.
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Short — Short ride length; described as short (<50 m) and close to the pillars.
- Typical Ride Length
- 30–50 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typically short and intense, breaking close to the pillars.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Humewood in the full forecast view.
Humewood wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–14 ktsGusts 29 kts
- Direction
- SE130°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2414 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.0–2.3 m8s period
- Temperature
- 15–23 °C
Over the next 7 days, Humewood is forecast for daytime winds of 3–14 kts, peaking around 14 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 29 kts. The prevailing direction is SE. Waves run 1.0–2.3 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
- reef
- concrete pillars
- submerged rocks
- rip currents near structures
- crowds
- sharks
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Yes — Rescue availability is described as yes, but one source also characterizes it as limited—use current on-site conditions as confirmation.
- Emergency Info
- Gqeberha emergency services are available; nearest hospital is in central Gqeberha (and the region is served by national emergency response).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
Follow lifeguard instructions and Blue Flag / beach safety regulations during peak season.
- No swimming in heavy surf conditions.
- Kitesurfing and windsurfing are generally restricted during peak beach hours to protect swimmers.
- Drive along Marine Drive and look for the 6 big concrete pillars extending from the beach; park above the road for instant access.
- Watch for rocks near the jetty/pillars.
- Check the pillars at a rising tide for best wave shape.
- Avoid going in during heavy crowds if you’re new.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- Nearest Town
- Gqeberha
- Parking
- Park above the road near the 6 concrete pillars; public parking lots are available above the beach along the road.
- Public Transport
- Limited public bus system and minibus taxis; ample walking paths in the area.
- Access
- Drive along Marine Drive to the spot marked by 6 big concrete pillars extending from the beach; park above the road (instant access under 5 minutes walk).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English, Afrikaans, Xhosa
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Numerous hotels, guesthouses, and apartments within walking distance in the Humewood and Summerstrand areas.
- Food & Drink
- Multiple cafes and restaurants are located directly across the street from the beach.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surfboard rentals are available at nearby shops in the Summerstrand area (area-level rental).
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 Humewood?
The best overall months at Humewood are June, July, August. The best wind months are May, June, July, August.
Which wind directions work at Humewood?
Humewood works with W, SW winds. Offshore directions are W, SW.
What skill level is Humewood suitable for?
Humewood suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.