Stinky Pits
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Skill Level
- Swell, Shallow, Swell
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Stinky Pits is a hollow, fast left-hand reef break set between the Old and New Harbors in Gansbaai, with normal wave lengths commonly in the 50–150 m range. It is described as a regional classic and is most associated with North/Northwest swell and Northwest wind direction for the best wave shape and hold. The spot is shallow and reef-technical, with a rocky/reef-coral bottom and hazards concentrated around the break. Rip currents have been reported, and the surrounding harbor area adds complexity to navigation and water entry/exit. Launch and egress are described as potentially difficult over slippery, sharp rocks, and thick kelp beds/reef structures can affect conditions close to the waterline. Wildlife risk is a major consideration here: Gansbaai is a well-known Great White shark area, and multiple sources flag shark presence as a key hazard. For that reason, the spot is commonly described as empty when conditions are favorable, and local guidance emphasizes not going in at risky times and being extremely cautious (including awareness of harbor boat traffic). Overall, Stinky Pits is best treated as an intermediate-to-advanced surfing challenge focused on powerful, hollow lefts when the swell is in the right direction and the tide is in a mid-to-high/rising window. Rescue presence is not cited at the spot itself, so planning for self-sufficiency and safe logistics is essential.
- Hollow, fast left-hand reef break
- North/Northwest swell and Northwest winds are the working pairing
- Normal rides typically 50–150 m
- Region-wide Great White shark presence: extreme caution required
- Powerful, hollow left-hand reef break with regional classic reputation.
- Works best with North/Northwest swell and Northwest winds.
- Often uncrowded (empty on many weekdays/weekends) when conditions are on.
- High hazard profile: rocks/reef, rip currents, and Great White shark risk.
- Rocky, slippery entry/exit with harbor infrastructure around the launch.
- Often not a good place to surf alone due to rescue constraints and wildlife risk.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW
- Offshore directions
- NW
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Reported as mixed wind conditions; Northwest winds are preferred for better surf conditions.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusting reported.
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August
- Shadow Zones
- Possible turbulence from harbor walls and nearby buildings (wind can get messy near the launch).
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Shallow, Swell
- Beach
- Reef — Reef/rock bottom dominates the break area.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Huge — Swell can start working around 1.0–1.5 m and hold up to about 2.5 m+.
- Launch
- Small — Instant access (<5 min walk) from the road/harbor area, with rocky shoreline entry between harbors.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Entry/exit over slippery rocks and reef structures; at least one source rates it easy while another rates it difficult—likely depends on conditions and experience.
Through the year
Generally quiet on weekdays; empty is commonly reported even on weekends when conditions are good.
Winter months (June–August) described as wetter with passing cold fronts.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Fast, hollow left-hand reef break produced between the harbors at Gansbaai.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- N
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid, High — Best described as mid and high tide / rising tide.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Sheltered/partly protected compared to fully open coast, but still reef-exposed and technical.
- Wind Effect
- Northwest winds are optimal; mixed onshore/offshore effects are possible depending on conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size up to about 2.5 m+ (or ~2.5 m+ / 8 ft+) before becoming heavy on larger sets.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Regional classic quality; also described as good-to-excellent depending on conditions.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Powerful, hollow reef waves.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Hollow form is consistently described.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Peel/transition is described as fast.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Normal rides commonly fall in the 50–150 m range; longer sessions can extend further on standout days.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal length is 50–150 m; exceptional days can offer longer sections (sources cite up to ~150–300 m depending on the day).
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Stinky Pits in the full forecast view.
Stinky Pits wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–13 ktsGusts 25 kts
- Direction
- SE144°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2513 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–2.8 m9s period
- Temperature
- 13–28 °C
Over the next 7 days, Stinky Pits is forecast for daytime winds of 3–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 25 kts. The prevailing direction is SE. Waves run 0.9–2.8 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 present
- Rocks
- Great White Sharks
- Sharp reef/shallow rocks
- Thick kelp beds
- Reef/coral structures
- Harbor traffic
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards present.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No dedicated rescue availability cited at the spot itself.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in Gansbaai; Hermanus has the closest major hospital. Emergency numbers reported in the wider area include 112 (mobile).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Local surfers use the spot, and visitors are expected to be considerate.
Rules of the spot
Respect local surfers and maintain awareness of harbor boat traffic.
- Spot is often empty due to hazards and the remote/technical nature of the area.
- Avoid surfing at dawn or dusk in this shark hotspot.
- Entry and exit can be tricky over slippery, sharp rocks.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Gansbaai
- Nearest Town
- Gansbaai
- Parking
- Parking available at the Gansbaai New Harbor or Old Harbor; park near the beach/launch area.
- Access
- Located between the Old and New Harbors in Gansbaai; short walk from harbor parking areas (instant access <5 min).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English, Afrikaans
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Accommodation options are available in Gansbaai within walking distance of the harbor areas.
- Food & Drink
- Restaurants and cafes are available near the harbors.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental gear is limited within Gansbaai itself; many visitors bring their own or rent from larger hubs.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Rugged coastal scenery with major marine-wildlife viewing (including sharks and whales) as a central part of the visitor experience.
Marine protected area with abundant shark species.
World capital for shark cage diving with close encounters with Great Whites and Copper Sharks.
Land-based whale watching along the cliffs of De Kelders.
Big five and shark diving opportunities in the region.
Historic lighthouse built in 1895, marking the site of the HMS Birkenhead shipwreck.
Big five and shark diving opportunities in the region.
Seafood restaurants and pubs around the working fishing harbor.
Archaeological site within Walker Bay Nature Reserve with beach walks and historical exploration.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Stinky Pits?
The best overall months at Stinky Pits are June, July, August. The best wind months are May, June, July, August.
Which wind directions work at Stinky Pits?
Stinky Pits works with NW winds. Offshore directions are NW.
What skill level is Stinky Pits suitable for?
Stinky Pits suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.