Sharks Point (Mpande Bay Coast)

Surfing
Advanced riders
Best for
Expert
Skill Level
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

About

Sharks Point is a remote, exposed right-hand point break on the Mpande Bay Coast (Wild Coast). The spot is described as heavy and powerful, built on a rocky headland, and conditions are often inconsistent—especially in summer when surf can tend to be flat. When the swell is correctly aligned to wrap around the point, riders can get very long sessions with a strong sense of continuation across the rocky shelf. Surf quality is reported as excellent when the right conditions come together. Offshore wind from the West or Northwest is said to groom the face, while southerly winds can blow the break out. The surf is also characterized as peeling with fast sections, and larger swells are expected to increase the heaviness and difficulty. Safety is a top priority here. The area is reported to have sharks and extensive rock hazards, including sharp rocks, submerged boulders, and kelp. Currents are described as strong, including rip currents and a powerful sweep along the point, and the location is extremely isolated; there are no formal lifeguards and rescue availability is reported as no at the spot level. Visitors should plan for self-reliance and avoid entering the water without strong local support. Access and amenities are limited. Reaching the vicinity requires a 4x4 and then a hike to the point, with limited informal parking near Mpande. Food and drink are described as very limited, so visitors are advised to bring all necessary supplies. Despite the reputation among core surfers, it is rarely crowded due to remoteness and access difficulty, and best conditions are reported in June (with winter generally favored).

  • Long right-hand point rides when a solid southern swell wraps in
  • Offshore West/Northwest winds groom the face
  • Very low crowds due to extreme remoteness
  • Significant hazards: sharks, rocks, strong currents
Great for
Advanced riders
What's great
  • Long, powerful rides reported when a solid southern swell wraps the headland.
  • Offshore West/Northwest winds can groom the face.
  • Very low crowd levels due to difficulty of access.
Heads up
  • Heavy, rocky point break with dangerous hazards (sharks and rocks).
  • Strong currents/rips and powerful sweep along the point.
  • Extreme remoteness with limited emergency response.
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
W, NW
Offshore directions
W, NW
Wind Range
10–20 kts
Wind Type
Frontal — Wind described as frontal in the spot-specific data.
Reliability
low
Gust Factor
Moderate gusts
Best Months
June, July, August
Shadow Zones
Some protection from southerly winds; very exposed to north winds.

Water & beach

Water Type
Ocean
Beach
Rocks
Beach Size
Tidal
Waves
Big
Launch
Small — Rocky and limited; access is typically via the beach at Mpande Bay followed by a walk to the point.
Launch Difficulty
Expert only — Spot-specific data describes launch/access as difficult; reaching the area involves 4x4 travel and walking to the point.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
18–25 °C
Water Temperature
17–27 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Apr–Oct: 3/2mm or 4/3mm full suitJan, Feb, Mar: shorty or 2mm (summer/warm months)
Crowds by Season

Always very low; rarely crowded year-round due to remoteness and access difficulty.

Storm/Rain Season

Summer months (November to March) often see more rain and humidity.

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Exposed right-hand point break around a rocky headland with powerful, heavy surf. Summer can be inconsistent/flat, while winter is reported as the best time for more reliable conditions.

Point break
Wave Direction
Right
Optimal Swell
S, SW
Swell Height
1.5–3 m
Optimal Tide
Mid
Shelter
Exposed — Exposed point/rocky headland; may offer limited protection from southerly winds but remains generally exposed.
Wind Effect
Offshore wind from the West or Northwest grooms the face; southerly winds blow it out.
Bigger Swell
Handles large swells well but becomes more heavy and challenging as size increases.
Wave Quality
Excellent
Wave Power
Very powerful
Wave Shape
Peeling
Peel Speed
Fast
Ride Length
Long
Typical Ride Length
150–300 m
Ride Length Details
Can offer rides of several hundred meters when the right swell wraps around the headland; connects sections across a rocky shelf.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Sharks Point (Mpande Bay Coast) in the full forecast view.

Sharks Point (Mpande Bay Coast) wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
3–14 ktsGusts 25 kts
Direction
E94°
Strongest day
Fri, Oct 3014 kts
Windy days
1/712 kts or more
Waves
1.6–3.3 m8s period
Temperature
16–27 °C

Over the next 7 days, Sharks Point (Mpande Bay Coast) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–14 kts, peaking around 14 kts on Friday, October 30 with gusts to 25 kts. The prevailing direction is E. Waves run 1.6–3.3 m with a period of about 8s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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
  • rocks
  • sharp rocks
  • submerged boulders
  • kelp
  • strong rip currents
  • powerful sweep along the point
  • remoteness
  • isolated location
Ability Level: Expert
Recommended Safety Gear
LeashBootsWetsuit

Rescue & support

Rescue & Self-Rescue
No — Spot-specific data reports no rescue availability; regional context notes limited rescue services (potentially significant response times).
Emergency Info
Nearest hospital reported in Mthatha with significant distance via poor roads; emergency number 10111 (and 112 from a mobile).
Localism / Vibe
Mild

Rules of the spot

Do not surf alone due to extreme remoteness and limited emergency response.

Restrictions
  • Avoid getting into the water without having local access planning for the remote access route.
Local Tips
  • Beware of sharks and rocks.
  • The point is very remote; the road is rough and a 4x4 is highly recommended to reach the coast.
  • Never surf alone here due to extreme remoteness and the distance to medical help.
  • The name is literal; shark activity is reported as high in this region due to deep water and proximity to river mouths.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Mthatha
Nearest Town
Port St Johns
Parking
Limited informal parking near the village of Mpande.
Public Transport
extremely limited
Access
Approximately 25 km south of Port St Johns (as the crow flies). Extremely difficult access: requires a 4x4 to reach the vicinity of Mpande, followed by a hike to the point.
Cost Level
Budget
Local Language
isiXhosa, English
Amenities

What's on the beach

Accommodation
Nearby town — Basic eco-lodges and backpackers are reported in Mpande village.
Food & Drink
Very limited; visitors should bring all necessary supplies.
Equipment Rental:
No commercial equipment rental facilities in the immediate area; visitors must be fully self-sufficient.
Gear Storage
Gear storage is not available in the area.
Gear Repair
No professional gear repair services within the region.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Sharks Point (Mpande Bay Coast)?

The best overall months at Sharks Point (Mpande Bay Coast) are June, July, August.

Which wind directions work at Sharks Point (Mpande Bay Coast)?

Sharks Point (Mpande Bay Coast) works with W, NW winds. Offshore directions are W, NW.

What skill level is Sharks Point (Mpande Bay Coast) suitable for?

Sharks Point (Mpande Bay Coast) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Expert.