Kommetjie
- Wave, Shortboard
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Medium waves, 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Kommetjie is a well-known high-performance wave area near Cape Town, with conditions that can be clean and powerful when the wind and swell align. Surf quality is described as excellent, with fast, hollow wave characteristics at Long Beach and the Krans, and the spot is characterized by reef and beach-break sections. Typical ride lengths are reported as short but intense, commonly under 50 meters, with some sources noting around 40 meters as a typical figure. Wind-sports depend strongly on the season and direction. For kitesurfing, the best months are May through October and the most favorable directions are generally from N through NW (including WNW and NNW), with winter North-Westerly fronts supporting wave riding. Windsurfing is specifically tied to strong, rarer South-Westerly winds; when it works, it can produce very clean waves behind the headland with “free wind.” Overall wind reliability is described as moderate and highly dependent on winter frontal systems for the effective cross-shore setup. Safety is a major consideration. Rocks and reef patches are persistent hazards, and heavy kelp beds can snag fins or foils, especially for foiling. Reports also mention occasional rip currents near reef sections and cold water throughout the year. The water temperature is particularly noted as coldest in summer when a South-Easterly wind has been blowing for a while due to upwelling, so thermal protection planning matters. Access and logistics are car-oriented: car travel is required/no walk access is indicated in one reference, and other notes highlight parking at the end of the beach (which fills quickly on good swell days). Lifeguards are described as seasonal, and rescue availability is reported as limited/no at the spot level, with nearby NSRI coverage noted.
- Excellent wave quality with hollow, fast peaks
- Good winter wind window for kitesurfing (May–October)
- Windsurfing can be very clean behind the headland with strong, rare southwest winds
- High-performance wave conditions with excellent quality and hollow, fast faces when lined up.
- Strong seasonal wind/swell windows (May through October) for wind-driven sports.
- Clean wave faces can occur behind the headland under the right wind direction.
- Rock and reef hazards (including heavy kelp beds) make it high commitment.
- Wind patterns can be inconsistent and are dependent on winter frontal systems and rarer wind angles.
- Conditions are cold year-round, especially in summer after sustained South-Easterly winds.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NW, WNW, NNW, W, SW, SE
- Offshore directions
- SE, SW
- Wind Range
- 10–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — N to NW fronts for kitesurfing; SW for windsurfing (wave and freestyle) and clean faces behind the headland.
- Reliability
- Moderate; highly dependent on winter frontal systems for the cross-shore conditions.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August, September, October
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–10 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Medium waves, Swell
- Beach
- Sand — Long Beach described as sand; reef sections exist near peak areas.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Big — Big-wave capable conditions are referenced across wind and surf materials.
- Launch
- Big — Wide sandy beach at Long Beach; preferred entry points to avoid rocks.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Launch points are preferred to reduce rock exposure.
Through the year
Highest during summer school holidays and weekends with good surf conditions.
Winter months (June to August) bring frequent cold fronts.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Best suited for wave riding during winter North-Westerly fronts; waves can be large and powerful, requiring good kite control. Best wind directions: N, W, WNW, NW, NNW.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–10 m²
A well-regarded wave spot that functions in strong South-Westerly (or winter North-Westerly) winds, producing clean faces behind the headland with free wind; noted as only working with strong and rare southwest winds.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.2–5.3 m²
Kelp beds are a significant hazard for foils; most riders launch when the water is clearer or further down the beach.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–5 m²
Iconic high-performance waves at Long Beach and the Krans, with excellent regional classic quality.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- SW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Works on various tides.
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- South-Easterly wind is offshore and grooms the waves; North-Westerly is cross-onshore for wind-sports.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle significant size but begins to close out or become extremely heavy over 3 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Regional classic wave quality.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — High-performance, hollow and fast when conditions line up.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Medium — Short but intense rides, often under 50 meters, with high-quality sections for maneuvers.
- Typical Ride Length
- 40–50 m
- Ride Length Details
- Often under 50 meters; typical ride length reported around 40 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Kommetjie in the full forecast view.
Kommetjie 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
- 1.0–3.2 m9s period
- Temperature
- 15–25 °C
Over the next 7 days, Kommetjie 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 1.0–3.2 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
- Heavy kelp beds
- Reef
- Rip currents
- Sharks
- Cold water
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major hospitals are in Fish Hoek or Cape Town; NSRI Station 10 is located nearby in Simon's Town.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate
Rules of the spot
Standard water priority rules apply; the peak at Long Beach can be competitive.
- Avoid rocks at the end of the beach/reef sections.
- Access is car-based (no walking access).
- Watch out for rocks at the ends of the beach near the Krans peak.
- The water is coldest in summer when a South-Easterly wind has been blowing for a while (upwelling).
- Kelp beds can snag fins or foils; many riders launch where the water is clearer or further down the beach.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Cape Town
- Nearest Town
- Kommetjie
- Nearest Airport
- Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
- Parking
- Dedicated parking lot at the end of the beach, but it can fill up quickly on good swell days.
- Public Transport
- Limited
- Access
- Car required; no walking access. Accessible via Kommetjie Road along the west coast; public access via paths from residential streets (most popular at the end of Wireless Road).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English, Afrikaans
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous guesthouses and holiday rentals are available within the village of Kommetjie.
- Food & Drink
- Several cafes and restaurants are located within walking distance in the Kommetjie village center.
- Equipment Rental:
- No dedicated rental shops on the beach; most visitors bring their own gear from Cape Town.
- Gear Storage
- Storage facilities are limited; most visitors store gear at accommodation or in their vehicles.
- Gear Repair
- Local surfboard shapers and minor repair services are available in Kommetjie and Hout Bay; major kite/sail repairs are handled in the city center or northern suburbs.
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 Kommetjie?
The best overall months at Kommetjie are May, June, July, August, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Kommetjie?
Kommetjie works with N, NW, WNW, NNW, W, SW, SE winds. Offshore directions are SE, SW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Kommetjie?
Recommended equipment sizes at Kommetjie: Kitesurfing: 7–10 m² · Windsurfing: 4.2–5.3 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–5 m². The typical wind range is 10–30 kts.
What skill level is Kommetjie suitable for?
Kommetjie suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Expert.