Rooi Els
- Wave, Bodyboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Expert
- Skill Level
- Chop, Shallow, Medium waves
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Rooi Els (Jerilotto) is a small, clean-water spot on the Overstrand Coast known for a very fickle right-hand point break. Surf at the Jerilotto line is described as rare—about five days per year—so sessions often depend on the right swell and tide combination to wrap into the bay. When it does work, it starts around roughly 1.0–1.5 m and can deliver fun, ledgey lines with good quality, with rides typically short but capable of extending to longer runs on better days. Wind-based sports are most consistent in the Cape Town summer season (roughly October through March), when SE sea/thermal flow builds. The wind direction that best matches the area is E to SE (including ESE), with reported wind speeds commonly in the mid-to-high teens up to around the mid-30 knots. However, the mountain influence can make the airflow extremely punchy, turbulent, and gusty, and the launch space is limited—this is why kitesurfing and windsurfing are described as requiring advanced/expert-level control. Conditions near shore add technical complexity: sources describe shallow/choppy water, rocks and reef hazards, and dense kelp near the area. Rip currents and offshore gust behavior are also noted risks. For surfers and wind sport riders, the steep footpath access and the mix of rocky/kelp features around the point make planning equipment and entry/exit routes especially important. Local safety guidance emphasizes that lifeguard support is not present and rescue at the immediate spot is not available. In addition, baboons are highlighted as a serious parking-area hazard—secure cars and belongings before entering the water. Overall, Rooi Els is best treated as a low-crowd, high-variation location where the payoff comes only when weather and swell line up.
- Very fickle Jerilotto right-hand point break (rarely breaks, ~5 days/year)
- Clean water and small, sandy bay/point access area
- Strong summer SE/E thermal wind potential with gustiness
- Favorable winds from E, ESE, and SE during the windy summer period
- When it works, the surfing is fun and ledgey with good wave quality
- Clean water reported
- Low crowd levels are typical
- Rare surf: Jerilotto at Rooi Els breaks infrequently (~5 days per year)
- Wind can be extremely gusty and turbulent due to surrounding cliffs/mountains
- Kelp/rocks and shallow near-shore conditions increase technical risk
- No lifeguards and rescue is reported as not available at the immediate spot
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, ESE, SE
- Offshore directions
- S, E, SE, ESE
- Wind Range
- 15–35 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Cape Doctor / SE sea wind pattern creates summer thermal wind; winds are very gusty in the mountain funnels.
- Reliability
- High during summer months; lower wind reliability in winter.
- Gust Factor
- Heavy gusts — Reported as very gusty/punchy and turbulent around the cliffs and mountain-influenced flow.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, November, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–10 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Shallow, Medium waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Surf is described as starting around 1.0–1.5 m and can require larger swell to wrap; general spot wave size is also described as small-to-medium.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Chop is referenced in both kitesurfing and physical descriptions.
- Launch
- Small — Small bay/point access via a steep footpath; limited launch space, especially at higher tide.
Through the year
Usually empty or very quiet; slightly more popular with locals on weekends.
June to August see most of the rainfall and cold fronts.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Kitesurfing is possible during Cape Town’s windy summer season (October–March). At Rooi Els, the launch and mountain-funneled wind can be extremely gusty and turbulent, with limited launch space—conditions are described as expert-level.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–10 m²
Suitable for advanced windsurfers who can handle gusty mountain winds and rocky launches; offers bump-and-jump and small wave riding when conditions are right.
- Sail Sizes
- 3.7–5 m²
Challenging because of dense kelp beds and a rocky bottom near the area; only recommended for those familiar with local hazards.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil-friendliness is described as limited.
- Wing Sizes
- 3–5 m²
Jerilotto (at Rooi Els) is a right-hand point break that is very fickle and rarely breaks (~5 days per year). When it works, it starts around 1.0–1.5 m and can produce ledgey, fun rides with a sandy bottom and rock/reef elements.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- S, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Rising tide is referenced; one source notes mid tide as optimal.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Point-area shelter with cliffs/mountain influence; the bay wrap can shut down or change quickly on marginal swell.
- Wind Effect
- Favorable with south to east winds; SE winds can clean up the surf offshore at the point.
- Bigger Swell
- Requires a larger swell to wrap into the bay; as swell grows it can eventually close out in the bay.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Good quality when it breaks; can be high-quality but infrequent.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Fun and ledgey with moderate overall power.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Can vary; described as mixed with some peeling characteristics when it wraps.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Described as medium peel speed when it’s working.
- Ride Length
- Short — Normal rides are short (<50 m); on a good day rides can run 50–150 m.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal length is typically under 50 m; good days can extend to about 50–150 m. One source also cites around 100 m on a good day.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Rooi Els in the full forecast view.
Rooi Els wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 1–14 ktsGusts 30 kts
- Direction
- SE145°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2514 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–2.9 m9s period
- Temperature
- 14–27 °C
Over the next 7 days, Rooi Els is forecast for daytime winds of 1–14 kts, peaking around 14 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 30 kts. The prevailing direction is SE. Waves run 0.9–2.9 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
- Swimmers
- Rocks
- Reef
- Kelp
- Rip currents
- Gusty offshore wind
- Sharks
- Baboons (car/food raiding risk in parking area)
- Sensitive dune vegetation (stay on designated paths)
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards present.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Spot-level rescue availability reported as no dedicated rescue at the immediate location.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital referenced in Somerset West (approx. 45 minutes drive). Emergency number: 112 from a mobile.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Respect local residents and the nature reserve environment.
Rules of the spot
Standard right-of-way and beach etiquette; respect local residents and the nature reserve environment.
- No-go conditions in very high winds for beginners.
- Plan for rare surf at Jerilotto: it only breaks about 5 days per year.
- Use caution with the steep footpath down to the point.
- Be mindful of rocks/kelp and bridge-area hazards near the river mouth; conditions can be turbulent and wind can be very punchy.
- Secure belongings—baboons are known to raid cars and bags in the parking area.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Cape Town
- Nearest Town
- Rooi Els
- Parking
- Limited roadside parking just before the Rooi Els river bridge; parking overlooks the bay. Very limited parking is also mentioned on Rocklands Road near rocky access points.
- Public Transport
- extremely limited; private vehicle recommended for spot access
- Access
- Accessible via the R44 (Clarence Drive); follow the steep footpath from the roadside parking down to the beach.
- Local Language
- English, Afrikaans
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Self-catering holiday houses in Rooi Els town.
- Food & Drink
- A few small cafes and a restaurant are located in the village center.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is described as not available locally; bring gear from nearby larger towns if needed.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Rugged coastal scenery, wildlife viewing opportunities, and scenic drives along the Clarence Drive/R44 corridor.
One of the world’s most scenic coastal drives winding between mountains and ocean.
One of the largest successful breeding colonies of African Penguins in the world.
Trails through a UNESCO World Heritage site within the Kogelberg Biosphere.
Popular local gastropub and meeting point in the Pringle Bay area.
A wide, sandy beach suitable for family walks, rock pooling, and swimming in the lagoon.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Rooi Els?
The best overall months at Rooi Els are January, February, March, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Rooi Els?
Rooi Els works with E, ESE, SE winds. Offshore directions are S, E, SE, ESE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Rooi Els?
Recommended equipment sizes at Rooi Els: Kitesurfing: 7–10 m² · Windsurfing: 3.7–5 m² · Wingfoiling: 3–5 m². The typical wind range is 15–35 kts.
What skill level is Rooi Els suitable for?
Rooi Els suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Beginner.