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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
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
- 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.
- 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.
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
Quiet year-round; busier with tourists in summer.
December to February
By sport
What to expect for each.
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.
- 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.
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.
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
- 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
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.
- No surfing within designated archaeological zones if marked.
- 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
What's on the beach
- 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.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The area is well known for archaeological history along the Erdemli coastline, with major ancient sites nearby.
Iconic medieval castle situated on a small island approximately 300 meters offshore.
Ancient Roman city with a theater and agora located right on the coastline.
Ancient city centered around a massive natural sinkhole, featuring Byzantine churches and Roman ruins.
Two deep sinkholes with a historic chapel and trails for hiking and exploration.
Large seaside park and camping area for family picnics and shade.
From riders who've been here
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.