Noncom (Gqeberha)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Skill Level
- Medium waves, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Empty
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Noncom (Gqeberha) is an exposed, mostly sandbar-style right-hand wave spot found inside Cape Recife Nature Reserve. When the sandbar/bank forms properly, it can produce hollow, fast, barreling sections and typically works best around low tide and when swell and offshore grooming winds align. Conditions are described as strong but not consistently reliable: the spot is widely characterized as fickle because the bar/bank can fail to set for long periods. Reports also emphasize that the most enjoyable waves occur when the natural sandbar configuration “cooks,” rather than on every swell, which makes planning and on-the-day observation important. Hazards are a major part of the spot profile. Multiple sources flag rocks and sharks, and strong rip currents/undertow can occur—especially with larger swells. The launch/reach is also not immediate, with a walk from the reserve parking area to the break area, so self-sufficiency and careful route planning are important. For timing, wind patterns are a key driver. Offshore directions for surf are described as north/northwest, helping keep the wave more groomed. For surfing, one provider notes ideal swell direction around south to south-southwest with working swell heights roughly in the 1.0–2.5m range, while another stresses that sessions can be excellent when the sand and swell line up near low tide.
- Hollow, fast right-hand barrels when the sandbar bank sets
- Inside Cape Recife Nature Reserve with limited access and usually uncrowded sessions
- Key hazards include rocks, sharks, and rip currents
- Can deliver hollow, fast right-hand barrels when the bank aligns
- Uncrowded sessions are common
- Clean water is generally reported
- Fickle sandbar/bank formation can result in long periods of weak or no surf
- Rocky/reef bottom and strong rip currents increase risk
- No lifeguards at the spot
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SE, SW, N, NW
- Offshore directions
- N, NW
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Wind type noted as frontal by one provider; another provider describes typical pattern via wind direction (north/northwest offshore for surf).
- Reliability
- Moderate to high during summer; surf consistency described as very consistent but the spot can be fickle due to bank formation.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusting noted by one provider.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, November, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–11 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Medium waves, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand with rock/reef influence; one provider also describes mixed composition.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Also described as medium for some water/wave conditions depending on sport and swell.
- Launch
- Small — Small sandy sections among rocks and reef.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Described as difficult due to rocky/reef sections and the walk/access constraints.
Through the year
Generally uncrowded year-round.
Heavier frontal systems are more common in winter; rain can occur year-round.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Medium-wave wave-riding conditions; best when SE–SW winds are aligned. Requires careful navigation because of rocky shoreline and uneven launch/bottom.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–11 m²
Possible for expert riders but described as less popular due to rocky bottom/kelp and shark presence; requires more effort to access usable water depth by walking past initial reef sections.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil-friendly conditions described as limited.
Exposed sandbar/reef-style right-hand break that can be hollow and fast when the sandbar/bank forms correctly; the bank can be fickle and may be absent for long periods.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- S
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Low tide is commonly cited; best sessions are also described near the low-tide mark on both rising and falling tides.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed coastline with rocky/reef sections.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore winds from the north or northwest help groom cleaner conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Can hold size into storms; one provider notes it can handle solid surf up to roughly 4ft+ during storms, while the ideal working window is around 1.0–2.0m (also cited up to about 2.5m).
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Regional classic; quality described as excellent/good depending on alignment of sand and swell.
- Wave Power
- Powerful
- Wave Shape
- Barreling — Also described as hollow.
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Medium — Often 50 to 150m when the sandbar and swell align.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal ride length is typically 50–150m; one provider mentions rides commonly in the 50–150m range and another notes typical rides up to about 150m.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Noncom (Gqeberha) in the full forecast view.
Noncom (Gqeberha) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–15 ktsGusts 31 kts
- Direction
- SE126°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 2615 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.4–2.9 m9s period
- Temperature
- 16–24 °C
Over the next 7 days, Noncom (Gqeberha) is forecast for daytime winds of 4–15 kts, peaking around 15 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 31 kts. The prevailing direction is SE. Waves run 1.4–2.9 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
- sharks
- rocks
- reef
- kelp
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported at the spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Yes — Regional coastline emergency response is available 24/7 via NSRI Station 6 in Gqeberha.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospitals are located in central Gqeberha.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Described as a mild localism profile.
Rules of the spot
Located within the Cape Recife Nature Reserve; park entry fees and opening hours apply.
- Inside Cape Recife Nature Reserve (no public beach access; nature reserve rules apply).
- Limited vehicle access to the beach.
- Walk approximately 600-1000m from the parking lot to reach the main break.
- Best surf is typically found on the rising or falling tide near the low-tide mark.
- Be highly aware of local shark presence.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Gqeberha
- Nearest Town
- Humewood
- Nearest Airport
- Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (Port Elizabeth)
- Parking
- Paid parking is available within the nature reserve boundary.
- Public Transport
- Limited public transport; car rentals or ride-sharing services are standard for reaching points along the coast.
- Access
- Inside Cape Recife Nature Reserve. Follow Pati turn-off until the parking lot, then walk left about 600-1000m to reach the main break.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English, Afrikaans, Xhosa
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Guesthouses and hotels are plentiful in Summerstrand and Humewood suburbs.
- Food & Drink
- Restaurants and cafes located along Marine Drive.
- Equipment Rental:
- No equipment rentals reported on-site; gear shops available in central Gqeberha.
- Gear Storage
- None available at/near the spot.
- Gear Repair
- Repair shops are located in central Gqeberha.
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 Noncom (Gqeberha)?
The best overall months at Noncom (Gqeberha) are September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April. The best wind months are January, February, March, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Noncom (Gqeberha)?
Noncom (Gqeberha) works with SE, SW, N, NW winds. Offshore directions are N, NW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Noncom (Gqeberha)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Noncom (Gqeberha): Kitesurfing: 7–11 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Noncom (Gqeberha) suitable for?
Noncom (Gqeberha) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate.