Stone Tombs

Shortboard, Longboard
Best for
Beginner
Skill Level
Chop, Small 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

About

Stone Tombs is an exposed Mediterranean beach break near Erdemli, set directly by the ancient ruins of Elaiussa Sebaste. It’s a beach-style wave area that can produce both right and left waves on a mostly sandy bottom, with rocks/stone fragments present near the archaeological site. Surf is primarily a winter destination, with the best performance tied to southeast swells. Incoming waves tend to be short and crumbly, often feeling like gentle Mediterranean winter wind-swell, so ride lengths are usually on the shorter side. Typical working swell guidance is around 0.5 to 1.5 meters, with the note that larger sets can close out once swell gets bigger. Wind conditions matter for grooming: offshore winds (northwest) are described as helping shape the southeast swell, and one dataset also notes frontal wind patterns seasonally. Even when surf is working, exposure means conditions can change quickly, so it’s important to arrive with an appropriate safety mindset. On safety, the key warnings are rocks/submerged ruin fragments and the possibility of rip currents developing during stronger southeast swells, especially in stormy winter periods. There’s no lifeguard and rescue is reported as unavailable, so plan accordingly and also respect any designated archaeological zones marked on site. The spot is described as quiet/low-profile, making it attractive for surfers looking for less competition.

  • Exposed beach break with both right and left waves
  • Winter southeast swells
  • Scenic surf immediately in front of ancient ruins
  • Offshore-northwest winds help groom the wave
Great for
Surfing shortboardSurfing longboard
What's great
  • Works on winter southeast swells.
  • Both right and left waves over a sandy bottom.
  • Low-profile, quieter surf experience.
  • Niche scenic setting directly in front of ancient ruins.
Heads up
  • Exposed conditions can be less forgiving.
  • Submerged rocks/stone fragments near the archaeological site.
  • Rescue reported as not available; rip currents can develop during larger southeast swells.
  • Wind reliability reported as low at the spot.
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
SE, ESE, SSE, E
Offshore directions
NW
Wind Range
8–35 kts
Wind Type
Frontal — Frontal wind noted by wind data providers.
Reliability
low
Gust Factor
Light gusts — Light gusts reported.
Best Months
January, February, March, December

Water & beach

Water Type
Chop, Small waves
Beach
Sand — Sand beach with stones/rocks near the archaeological area.
Beach Size
Medium
Waves
Small — Small surf conditions are typical.
Chop Level
Moderate chop — Choppy water reported.
Launch
Medium — Sandy beach area adjacent to the ancient ruins.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
Wetsuit Guide
Dec–Mar: 4/3mmDec–Mar: 3/2mm
Crowds by Season

Quiet year-round; busier with tourists in summer.

Storm/Rain Season

December to February

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Exposed winter beach break with both right and left waves over a sandy bottom, working with southeast swells. Generally modest, with short/crumbly waves typical of Mediterranean beach conditions near archaeological ruins.

Beach break
Wave Direction
Both
Optimal Swell
SE
Swell Height
0.5–1.5 m
Optimal Tide
All tides
Shelter
Exposed — Exposed beach setting.
Wind Effect
Offshore winds help groom the southeast swell; wind directions that are more offshore for the arriving swell improve quality.
Bigger Swell
Can close out when swell exceeds 2 meters.
Wave Quality
Average — Wave quality described as average.
Wave Power
Soft — Overall wave power described as ordinary-to-fun; one source rates it as soft.
Wave Shape
Mushy — Mediterranean winter wind-swell tends to be short and mushy/crumbly.
Peel Speed
Slow — Waves generally crumbly with a slow peel.
Ride Length
Short — Short, crumbly rides typical for this break.
Typical Ride Length
30–50 m
Ride Length Details
Typically short and crumbly; typical Mediterranean wind-swell feel in winter.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Stone Tombs in the full forecast view.

Stone Tombs wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
2–11 ktsGusts 19 kts
Direction
NE47°
Strongest day
Thu, Oct 2911 kts
Windy days
0/712 kts or more
Waves
0.1–1.0 m3s period
Temperature
17–27 °C

Over the next 7 days, Stone Tombs is forecast for daytime winds of 2–11 kts, peaking around 11 kts on Thursday, October 29 with gusts to 19 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 0.1–1.0 m with a period of about 3s. 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

  • rocks
  • submerged rocks
  • submerged ancient stone fragments and rocks near the archaeological site
  • rip currents can develop during larger southeast swells
  • ancient ruins under the waterline
Ability Level: Beginner
Recommended Safety Gear
HelmetImpact vestWetsuitBoots

Rescue & support

Rescue & Self-Rescue
No — No rescue reported for the spot.
Emergency Info
112 is the universal emergency number. Nearest medical facility reported as Erdemli State Hospital.

Rules of the spot

Respect any designated archaeological zones/areas on the beach and do not surf within marked archaeological boundaries.

Restrictions
  • No surfing within designated archaeological zones if marked.
Local Tips
  • Best surf occurs early in the morning after a night of southeast wind.
  • The beach is sandy, but keep an eye out for stone blocks from the ruins.
  • Uncrowded spot—good option for those seeking less competition.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Erdemli
Nearest Town
Kizkalesi
Nearest Airport
Çukurova International Airport (COV) (~100 km)
Parking
Parking available at the archaeological site entrance or along the beach road.
Public Transport
Regional shared minibuses (dolmuş) connect Mersin with towns along the Erdemli coast; buses/taxis also connect Erdemli to Mersin and Adana.
Access
Access requires a drive along the coast from Adana, taking the E-90 to Mersin and then the 400 toward Kizkalesi (near the archaeological site).
Cost Level
Moderate
Local Language
Turkish
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Accommodation
Nearby town — Small hotels and pensions in the nearby village of Ayaş; additional accommodation along the coast.
Food & Drink
Local cafes and restaurants are available in nearby Ayaş and Erdemli.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

The area is well known for archaeological history along the Erdemli coastline, with major ancient sites nearby.

Best time to visit: Late spring and early autumn (warm weather, consistent wind, and fewer crowds).
Kızkalesi (Maiden's Castle)~5 km

Iconic medieval castle situated on a small island approximately 300 meters offshore.

Elaiussa Sebaste~2 km

Ancient Roman city with a theater and agora located right on the coastline.

Kanlıdivane~3 km

Ancient city centered around a massive natural sinkhole, featuring Byzantine churches and Roman ruins.

Cennet and Cehennem (Heaven and Hell)~15 km

Two deep sinkholes with a historic chapel and trails for hiking and exploration.

Erdemli Talat Göktepe Pine Grove~8 km

Large seaside park and camping area for family picnics and shade.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Stone Tombs?

The best overall months at Stone Tombs are December, January, February, March. The best wind months are January, February, March, December.

Which wind directions work at Stone Tombs?

Stone Tombs works with SE, ESE, SSE, E winds. Offshore directions are NW.

What skill level is Stone Tombs suitable for?

Stone Tombs suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.