The Point 3 (Elands Bay)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
The Point 3 (Elands Bay) is an exposed reef, point, and rivermouth break known for its long, peeling left-hand waves. It sits on a rocky, kelp-rich shoreline and is described as delivering reasonably consistent surf when swell and wind align. When conditions are favorable, the wave can be powerful and fast, with occasional barrels reported on the best sets. Offshore winds are associated with S and Southeast flows, which help groom the wave faces, and the spot is commonly best when the tide is low. Safety-wise, the area is hazardous: rocks, thick kelp beds, and strong sweep/rip currents are common, especially as swell increases. The entry often involves a walk over jagged rocks and timing your jump-off to avoid being pushed back onto the reef. Access and practicalities have changed: you can no longer park directly in front of the wave, so visitors should use the signposted new parking and access from the town side. The water is very cold throughout the year (Benguela/“cold” current influence), so thick wetsuit protection with boots and other cold-weather gear is strongly recommended.
- Long left-hand point style
- Exposed reef/point/rivermouth break
- Offshore grooming with S/SE winds
- Cold water and kelp add complexity to entry
- Long, peeling left-hand point break with powerful, world-class wave quality.
- Offshore wind tendency for S/SE winds can groom faces.
- Reasonably consistent surf as an exposed reef/point/rivermouth break.
- Exposed rocky reef setting with thick kelp and submerged rocks.
- Cold water year-round; advanced conditions on bigger swells.
- No lifeguards and limited spot-level rescue availability.
- Parking access changed—cannot park directly in front of the wave.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SE, E
- Offshore directions
- S, SE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Summer sea-breeze influence; winds tend to groom faces when S/SE flow is offshore for the break.
- Reliability
- high
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Described as steady during the period when conditions are favorable.
- Best Months
- October, November, December, January, February, March
- Shadow Zones
- The point offers some protection from southerly winds, helping create cleaner faces.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Rocks — Reef/rocky shoreline.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Big — Often described with big-wave potential on the right swell.
- Launch
- Small — Rocky shoreline with a jump-off point or a long paddle from nearby beach.
- Launch Difficulty
- Expert only — Described as difficult due to the reef/kelp environment and required timing of entry.
Through the year
Can get very crowded during holiday weekends and when a perfect swell is predicted.
June to August
By sport
What to expect for each.
Occasionally used for high-performance wave riding in cross-offshore conditions.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.2–5.3 m²
World-class exposed reef/point/rivermouth break with a long, left-hand point style; serious heavy-water on bigger swells.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- S, SW
- Swell Height
- 1.5–4 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed reef/point setting.
- Wind Effect
- South and Southeast winds are offshore, grooming the wave faces.
- Bigger Swell
- Handles large swells well, but becomes a heavy, serious wave on bigger days.
- Wave Quality
- World class — Long, peeling sections with occasional barrels.
- Wave Power
- Powerful
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Long — Can extend for several hundred meters when sections connect.
- Typical Ride Length
- 200–400 m
- Ride Length Details
- Rides can run 200–400 meters when sections connect.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for The Point 3 (Elands Bay) in the full forecast view.
The Point 3 (Elands Bay) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–17 ktsGusts 27 kts
- Direction
- SW220°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2417 kts
- Windy days
- 6/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.6–1.7 m8s period
- Temperature
- 13–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, The Point 3 (Elands Bay) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–17 kts, peaking around 17 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 27 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.6–1.7 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
- Rocks
- Kelp
- Strong currents
- Cold water
- Sharks
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Spot-level guidance indicates no rescue availability for this launch.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facilities are in Vredenburg or Cape Town.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Competitive lineup; watching locals helps identify safe entry/exit lines.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect the local lineup as it can be competitive.
- Bring a thick wetsuit, even in summer.
- The walk to the point is over jagged rocks and you have to time your jump-off to avoid being pushed back onto the reef.
- Watch the locals to find the best entry and exit points through the kelp.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Cape Town
- Nearest Town
- Elands Bay
- Nearest Airport
- Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
- Parking
- New parking is on the town side of the wave (not directly in front of the break) and is signposted. Limited informal parking may be found near the point or along the road.
- Public Transport
- virtually non-existent; private rental car or 4x4 essential
- Access
- Accessible via a dirt track leading to the rocky point from the town.
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- English, Afrikaans
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Guesthouses, self-catering cottages, and a campsite in Elands Bay.
- Food & Drink
- A few small restaurants and a local hotel bar in the town.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals available on-site; bring all your own gear.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A RAMSAR-protected coastal lake and wetland system famous for birdwatching.
A Provincial Heritage Site containing significant San rock art and archaeological remains.
Trails offering panoramic views of the Atlantic coast and the Cederberg mountains.
A local landmark serving seafood and traditional West Coast fare.
Expansive sandy beaches and rocky pools ideal for families and nature walks.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at The Point 3 (Elands Bay)?
The best overall months at The Point 3 (Elands Bay) are November, December, January, February. The best wind months are October, November, December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at The Point 3 (Elands Bay)?
The Point 3 (Elands Bay) works with S, SE, E winds. Offshore directions are S, SE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at The Point 3 (Elands Bay)?
Recommended equipment sizes at The Point 3 (Elands Bay): Windsurfing: 4.2–5.3 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is The Point 3 (Elands Bay) suitable for?
The Point 3 (Elands Bay) suits these riding levels: Windsurfing: Expert · Surfing: Advanced.