Long Beach
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Long Beach (Kommetjie) is described as a consistent sandy beach break with a long stretch of water where waves can come through in both directions (left and right). The bottom is sandy, and the break is generally approachable for learners through to intermediate surfers, with good sections forming on the better days. Conditions are strongly influenced by wind and ground swell. South and south-easterly winds are reported as offshore for this spot, helping groom cleaner wave faces. Larger ground swells can push the spot into more powerful, heavier conditions, including the potential for a more difficult paddle-out when swell exceeds the mid-3 meter range. Safety is a key consideration. Sharks are specifically flagged as a real risk in these waters, and extra caution is advised during early mornings/late evenings. Rip currents are also reported as possible—particularly near rocks at either end—and kelp can be present in the lineup, all of which increase the importance of staying alert and following local etiquette. For planning, winter is repeatedly noted as the best overall time for surfing quality and dependable swell, while summer benefits from offshore wind patterns. Expect consistently cold water, with thermal protection recommended year-round (commonly a 4/3mm wetsuit). Crowds are also a recurring theme, with weekends and strong-swell periods getting very busy.
- Consistent lefts and rights on a sandy beach break
- Offshore south/south-easterly winds can produce cleaner faces
- Comfortable for beginner-to-intermediate surfing when conditions are right
- Consistent beach-break surfing with left and right waves over a sandy bottom.
- Offshore south/south-easterly winds can groom cleaner faces.
- Waves can hold good size on ground swells.
- Shark presence in the area requires extra caution.
- Cold Atlantic water—most visitors need thermal protection year-round.
- Crowds can be very high on weekends and during good swell days.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SW, E, SE
- Offshore directions
- S, SW
- Wind Range
- 15–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — South-easterly winds in summer and associated thermal effects (often described as a Cape Doctor pattern).
- Reliability
- High during the summer wind window; generally reliable in the best months provided.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusts are reported.
- Best Months
- April, May, June, July, August, September
- Shadow Zones
- Can be sheltered from north-westerly winds by surrounding mountains.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium — Works from around 1.5–2 m and can hold significantly larger swell.
- Launch
- Big — Wide sandy beach with ample space for equipment.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Easy access for many visitors, but described as moderate difficulty at the spot level.
Through the year
High year-round, especially on weekends and during school holidays.
Winter (June to August) is the peak rainy season with frequent frontal systems.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A consistent long sandy beach break with multiple peaks. Waves break both left and right and can hold up to larger sizes on good groundswells.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, SW
- Swell Height
- 1.5–4 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Sources mention all-tides, with some guidance favoring low and mid tide positions.
- Shelter
- Sheltered — Described as sheltered.
- Wind Effect
- South and south-easterly winds groom waves offshore into cleaner faces (reported as offshore from the south).
- Bigger Swell
- Handles size well but can become a heavy paddle-out when swells exceed about 3 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Reported as good/excellent depending on day and swell.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Power is described as ordinary/moderate.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Mostly peeling with good sections.
- Peel Speed
- Slow — Reported as slow-to-medium, depending on conditions.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Good days can produce long rides across sandy bottom.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Can break for up to roughly 50–150 meters on good days; one source notes sections breaking up to about 100 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Long Beach in the full forecast view.
Long Beach wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–20 ktsGusts 36 kts
- Direction
- SSE160°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2520 kts
- Windy days
- 6/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–3.1 m9s period
- Temperature
- 15–24 °C
Over the next 7 days, Long Beach is forecast for daytime winds of 4–20 kts, peaking around 20 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 36 kts. The prevailing direction is SSE. Waves run 0.9–3.1 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
- Sharks
- Strong rip currents possible
- Kelp
- Rocks at either end of the beach
- Cold water
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards are reported as seasonal.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Rescue availability is reported as no at the spot level.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital is in Fish Hoek, approximately 15-20 minutes away.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Local community presence is noted; follow lineup etiquette and be respectful.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect the local community in the lineup.
- Beware of sharks and crowds when surf is up; consider extra caution early in the morning or late in the evening.
- Always surf with a buddy due to shark risk.
- Use a thick 4/3mm wetsuit even in summer; boots are commonly used in colder conditions.
- Be alert for strong rip currents, especially near the rocks at either end.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Kommetjie
- Nearest Town
- Kommetjie
- Parking
- Dedicated parking area is available, though it fills up quickly on weekends and good swell days.
- Public Transport
- Limited; car access is typically required.
- Access
- Drive south along the peninsula to Kommetjie; sign on the right says 'Long Beach' (instant access under 5 minutes walking distance). Public access is described via the main parking lot at the end of the road in Kommetjie.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English, Afrikaans
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous guesthouses and holiday rentals available within the town of Kommetjie.
- Food & Drink
- Local cafes and restaurants are within walking distance in the Kommetjie village.
- Equipment Rental:
- Some shops in the wider Kommetjie area or nearby Sun Valley provide rental gear.
- Gear Storage
- Storage facilities are limited; most visitors store gear at accommodation or in their vehicles.
- Gear Repair
- Local shapers and repair shops are available in the greater Kommetjie and Noordhoek area.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Trails with panoramic views of the Atlantic and False Bay.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Long Beach?
The best overall months at Long Beach are April, May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Long Beach?
Long Beach works with SW, E, SE winds. Offshore directions are S, SW.
What skill level is Long Beach suitable for?
Long Beach suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.