Sharks Point (Mpande Bay Coast)
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
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
- 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.
- 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.
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
Always very low; rarely crowded year-round due to remoteness and access difficulty.
Summer months (November to March) often see more rain and humidity.
By sport
What to expect for each.
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.
- 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.
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.
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
- rocks
- sharp rocks
- submerged boulders
- kelp
- strong rip currents
- powerful sweep along the point
- remoteness
- isolated location
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.
- Avoid getting into the water without having local access planning for the remote access route.
- 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
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.
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 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.