I & J's (Cape Town)
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Intermediate to Expert
- Skill Level
- Medium waves, 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
I & J’s is an exposed right-hand reef break on the Cape Peninsula near Kommetjie/Cape Town. The wave character is consistently described as hollow, powerful, and ledgey, with a reef bottom (including coral/sharp rocks and kelp) that produces technical, high-consequence conditions. Surf starts working around roughly 1.0–1.5 m and can hold up to about 2.5 m+ (with larger-set behavior described as very heavy and ledgey). Ride lengths are typically short (often under 50 m), though good days can connect longer (150–300 m cited). Best tide guidance centers on low to mid tide, with additional advice that a rising mid-tide may help avoid the shallowest parts of the reef. Wind-wise, the spot is associated with northeast trade winds and has a “blown” tendency in monthly stats (68% blown vs 21% clean reported). Enrichment data also notes that northeast/north winds can provide cleaner offshore conditions for surfing, and wind direction guidance points to northeast as a key direction. Best months are April through August, with winter (May–August) emphasized for more consistent swell. Safety is a major focus here: hazards include rip currents, rocks, reef/coral, sea urchins (and kelp), and sharks. There are no lifeguards reported. Access is via a short walk from a holiday camp paypoint area, and entry procedures/pay access should be followed before going to the water. Gear and preparation should reflect the cold, rocky entry and the reef/urchin risk.
- Hollow, powerful right-hand reef break with strong ledgey character.
- Best window reported as April/May through August (with winter emphasizing consistency).
- Frequent hazards: rip currents, rocks, sea urchins, sharks; no lifeguards reported.
- Consistent right-hand reef waves and hollow, powerful, ledgey character.
- Works best during the winter window (May to August) with reported seasonal consistency and swell holding up to ~2.5 m+.
- Weekday crowds reported as empty with only a few surfers on weekends.
- Technical/rocky reef environment with shallow sections and sharp hazards including sea urchins, reef/coral, and kelp.
- Significant hazards reported including rip currents and sharks; no lifeguards at the spot.
- Wind reliability varies across sources and conditions can be exposed/heavy on larger swell.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE
- Offshore directions
- NE
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Trade winds noted; also described with gradient/variable character across directions in provider data.
- Reliability
- low to moderate (68% blown / 21% clean reported; other source describes low reliability)
- Gust Factor
- Steady — One source indicates steady winds; another indicates moderate gusts.
- Best Months
- April, May, June, July, August
- Shadow Zones
- Terrain to the south may provide some shadow in certain directions.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Medium waves, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand described in enrichment data, though the launch/entry is rocky/reef-adjacent in other provider details.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Huge — Surf sources describe the wave as starting at 1.0–1.5 m and holding to about 2.5 m+; some provider text labels the spot as huge.
- Launch
- Small — Small kelp bay with reef bottom; access via short walk from the holiday camp area.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — One source rates access/launch as easy; another describes the rocky entry as difficult—overall expect technical navigation.
Through the year
Usually empty on weekdays; a few local surfers on weekends.
Winter months (June to August) bring frontal storms and the majority of the annual rainfall.
By sport
What to expect for each.
One enrichment source describes advanced wave-kiting on technical rocky launch conditions with powerful waves in Southeast or Northwest winds.
Foilable on higher tides for experienced riders, but shallow reef and kelp are significant hazards.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil-friendliness noted as limited in enrichment data.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
Exposed right-hand reef break with hollow, ledgey waves. Starts working around 1.0–1.5 m and can hold up to 2.5 m+ with powerful, heavy takeoffs on larger sets.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- SW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low, Mid, All tides — Multiple sources point to low/mid as best; one also mentions rising mid-tide and that both falling/rising tides can work.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open coastal exposure with reef/rocks; not sheltered.
- Wind Effect
- Works in light onshore for the surf noted; described as best with northeast/north winds providing cleaner offshore characteristics in one source.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size up to about 2.5 m+ (and up to ~8 ft cited) and becomes very heavy and ledgey; can still hold longer on bigger swell.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Regional classic / good quality reported.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Described as powerful/powerful and heavy-ledgy on bigger sets.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Hollow, ledgey character emphasized across sources.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Providers disagree on peel speed; one indicates medium, another fast.
- Ride Length
- Short — Normal length short (<50 m); good days can connect for longer sessions (150–300 m cited).
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typical rides are short (<50 m); normal length short, with occasional longer connections on optimal days (150–300 m cited).
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for I & J's (Cape Town) in the full forecast view.
I & J's (Cape Town) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–19 ktsGusts 34 kts
- Direction
- SSE162°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2519 kts
- Windy days
- 6/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.0–3.3 m9s period
- Temperature
- 15–25 °C
Over the next 7 days, I & J's (Cape Town) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–19 kts, peaking around 19 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 34 kts. The prevailing direction is SSE. Waves run 1.0–3.3 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
- Rip currents
- Rocks
- Sharks
- Sea urchins
- Reef
- Coral
- Sharp rocks
- Kelp
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported for the spot in enrichment data.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regional context indicates limited rescue with volunteer NSRI stations in Hout Bay and Kommetjie.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facilities referenced in enrichment data as being in Fish Hoek or Cape Town; regional emergency number noted as 112.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — One source notes local lineup sensitivity; another indicates no localism.
Rules of the spot
Follow standard surfing etiquette and any entry procedures required at the access point.
- Paid entry required via Soetwater holiday camp (as described in enrichment data).
- Best tide position is low and mid tide; some guidance also favors rising mid-tide to avoid shallowest reef parts.
- Access involves a short walk from the access point; expect to navigate rocky/reef terrain.
- Pay attention to rip current risk near the reef and keep clear of sharp reef/kelp areas.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Cape Town
- Nearest Town
- Kommetjie
- Nearest Airport
- Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
- Parking
- Parking available at Soetwater holiday camp; short walk (5–15 minutes) to the spot (enrichment data).
- Public Transport
- Limited; car rentals or ride-sharing are typically the primary way to reach the coast.
- Access
- Pass through the paypoint at Soetwater holiday camp between Kommetjie and Scarborough, then veer left to reach the small kelp bay (as described in enrichment data).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English, Afrikaans
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Soetwater holiday camp nearby; other accommodation in Kommetjie and Scarborough (enrichment data).
- Food & Drink
- Limited options nearby; enrichment also notes local cafes and restaurants in Kommetjie.
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 I & J's (Cape Town)?
The best overall months at I & J's (Cape Town) are May, June, July, August. The best wind months are April, May, June, July, August.
Which wind directions work at I & J's (Cape Town)?
I & J's (Cape Town) works with NE winds. Offshore directions are NE.
What skill level is I & J's (Cape Town) suitable for?
I & J's (Cape Town) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced to Expert · Wingfoiling: Expert · Surfing: Advanced to Expert.