Outer Kom
- Advanced riders
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Ocean, Swell
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Outer Kom is an exposed, big-wave reef/point break off the Kommetjie (Cape Town) area, where the main surf is a heavy left-hand that breaks far out to sea and runs onto inside ledges. Multiple descriptions emphasize long, powerful rides (often roughly 150–300 m on a good day) and thick/hollow character on the right swell. The launch and getting out are the major challenges. Sources describe strong currents and drifting that can set you back if you end up inside the impact zone, plus an exit that is effectively a rock-jump into thick seaweed followed by a fight to reach open water. The seabed/near-shore is also described as hazardous, with dense kelp forests, rocks/reef, and sea urchins. Shark awareness is repeatedly highlighted as a core safety concern (including Great White activity in the region). Combined with the heavy, exposed reef conditions and extreme wave power at size, this makes the spot firmly expert-only in practice. Lineup etiquette is also emphasized—local behavior and respect in the lineup are treated as essential. For timing, the best window is described as winter into early spring in some sources (notably May, and June–September as a best surf/wind season), while other notes emphasize consistent big swells across colder months. Conditions are described as cleanest when the offshore wind aligns with the spot’s preferred directions (NE offshore preferred; SE/E/NE patterns also mentioned).
- Long, heavy left-hand reef surf with hollow peaks
- Works on large west/south-westerly swell and can hold to very big sizes
- Expert-only due to difficult paddle-out/exit, strong currents, and hazards
- World-class big-wave left-hand reef/point break with long rides.
- Offshore NE winds are associated with clean, hollow faces.
- Typically relatively few surfers due to difficulty.
- Difficult, hazardous paddle-out and a rock-jump exit into thick seaweed.
- Strong currents/rips and heavy water movement over a rocky reef.
- Cold water and serious big-wave/shark risk.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE
- Offshore directions
- ESE, E, NE
- Wind Range
- 15–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — NE offshore winds are associated with the better surf; sources also describe summer patterns influenced by sea/thermal winds.
- Reliability
- Mixed by season: winter described as more unpredictable; summer described as more reliable offshore wind patterns.
- Best Months
- June, July, August, September
- Shadow Zones
- Minor turbulence very close to shore can occur from nearby cliffs/headland.
- Thermal Window
- Months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep · Dir: N, NE
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean, Swell
- Beach
- Rocks
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Huge — Sources range from starting around 2–2.5 m to holding extremely large swells.
- Launch
- Small — Paddle out from the slipway/harbour at the left end; difficult exit requiring a rock-jump into thick seaweed.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Long/strenuous paddle and a hazardous rock-jump exit into seaweed.
Through the year
Winter (June to August) is described as the rainy season with frequent cold fronts.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Outer Kom is a powerful, world-class big-wave reef/point break known for long left-handers that break far out and run onto the inside ledge. Waves can become massive and heavily textured on a deep rocky reef with dense kelp and sharp rocks.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- W, WNW, WSW
- Swell Height
- 2–6 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low, Mid — Low and mid tide are emphasized; some sources also note a rising-tide window.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed reef/point break.
- Wind Effect
- NE offshore winds are preferred to groom cleaner, more hollow faces; SE offshore winds are also described as workable, while some directions reduce quality.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds up to very large swells; sources note it starts working around roughly 2–2.5 m and can hold to very high sizes, increasing in power as swell grows.
- Wave Quality
- World class — Described as regional classic/world-class.
- Wave Power
- Very powerful — Described as powerful to very-powerful big-wave reef surf.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Sources emphasize long, lumbering left-handers with thick/hollow peaks.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Described as fast-peeling/rolling across the reef.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Typically long rides; sources commonly cite 150–300 m.
- Typical Ride Length
- 150–300 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typical good rides are described around 150 to 300 meters, with medium ride characterization depending on swell and takeoff line. One description notes a faster connection from outer to inner sections on the larger set-ups.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Outer Kom in the full forecast view.
Outer Kom 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, Outer Kom 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
- sharks
- great white sharks
- rocks
- kelp forests
- rips
- sea urchins
- strong currents
- extreme wave power
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards are indicated.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regional context indicates NSRI operates professional volunteer stations in Kommetjie/nearby.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major hospitals are in Cape Town; NSRI (National Sea Rescue Institute) station 10 is nearby in Simon’s Town.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Localism is described as mild to moderate; respect in the lineup is repeatedly emphasized.
Rules of the spot
Respect the local lineup; this is a serious big-wave spot where etiquette and safety are paramount.
- Advanced-only spot due to difficult launch and heavy conditions.
- Beware the only exit involves a rock-jump into thick seaweed, then a fight through it to open water.
- The paddle-out is long and strenuous—ensure you are in peak physical condition.
- Be extremely shark aware; vigilance is emphasized for Great White activity in the area.
- Locals are described as friendly, but you should expect respect and proper lineup behavior.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Cape Town
- Nearest Town
- Kommetjie
- Nearest Airport
- Cape Town International Airport (CPT) — approx. 40–50 km
- Parking
- Limited parking available near the harbour/slipway area (gravel parking indicated).
- Public Transport
- Limited; car rentals or ride-sharing are typically the primary way to reach the coast.
- Access
- Access via Kommetjie harbor/slipway area; paddle out starts at the left end (and is described as a long paddle through kelp/seaweed). Drive to the far end of Kommetjie and follow directions to the small harbour slipway; limited gravel/harbour parking is available near the slipway area.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Guesthouses and holiday rentals are available within the town of Kommetjie.
- Food & Drink
- Several cafes and small restaurants in the center of Kommetjie town.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals directly at the reef; gear availability is described as via shops in Cape Town or nearby areas.
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 Outer Kom?
The best overall months at Outer Kom are June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Outer Kom?
Outer Kom works with NE winds. Offshore directions are ESE, E, NE.
What skill level is Outer Kom suitable for?
Outer Kom suits these riding levels: Surfing: Expert.