Tweede Steen

KitesurfingWindsurfingWingfoilingSurfing
Freeride, Shortboard
Best for
Intermediate
Skill Level
Swell
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

About

Tweede Steen is a fairly exposed beach break on Cape Town’s West Coast that offers both left and right-hand waves, but with typically inconsistent surf. Best surf conditions are reported when a southwest swell combines with offshore-leaning east-northeast winds, and sessions are often best around low to mid tide. While wave quality can vary, the break remains a go-to option for riders who are comfortable managing changing conditions. The location’s hazards are a key part of planning: rocks and rocky sections of shoreline are reported, and rip currents are described as common—especially near rocky outcrops. Water is cold year-round due to the Atlantic/Benguela influence, so a properly rated wetsuit is essential for any session, even in summer. Winter and spring are also noted as strong times of year for surf swell availability. Wind at Tweede Steen is thermally driven by the Cape Doctor pattern, with strong summer reinforcement. During the summer months, wind reliability is described as very high and gusts are moderate. The reported thermal pattern builds into the afternoon (roughly 12:00 to 19:00) and offshore-favorable winds for clean surf are often from the east-northeast. For wind sports, summer conditions can turn the spot into a high-energy playground—supporting kitesurfing styles such as wave riding, freeride, foil, and downwinders, as well as windsurfing freeride and wave sailing. Wingfoiling is also possible when swell is small, but cold water and shore break mean it suits riders who already have experience managing these factors.

  • Fairly exposed, left-and-right beach break
  • Southwest swell + east-northeast offshore-favorable wind setup
  • Cold, clean water with cold-water gear essential
  • Thermally reinforced summer wind for multiple wind sports
Great for
Surfing shortboardKitesurfing freerideKitesurfing waveWindsurfing freerideWingfoil freeride
What's great
  • Works for both left and right-hand surfing with a southwest swell favored for best conditions.
  • Strong seasonal wind activity supports kitesurfing, downwinders, and wave riding in summer.
  • Open coastline with minimal wind shadowing.
  • A wide sandy beach and easy launch access for preparing gear.
Heads up
  • Inconsistent surf despite being a fairly exposed beach break.
  • Rocks and scattered rocky outcrops at certain sections can create hazards.
  • Cold water year-round; hypothermia risk without adequate thermal protection.
  • Rip currents are reported to be common near rocky outcrops.
Was this description helpful?
Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
SE, SSE, S, NW
Offshore directions
ENE, E, NE, NNE
Wind Range
15–30 kts
Wind Type
Thermal — Sea-breeze/thermally reinforced coastal wind pattern (Cape Doctor) with strong South-Easterly flow in summer.
Reliability
Very high during the summer season
Gust Factor
Moderate gusts — Moderate gusting reported.
Best Months
October, November, December, January, February, March
Recommended Kite Sizes
7–10 m²

Water & beach

Water Type
Swell
Beach
Sand — Sand beach.
Beach Size
Big
Waves
Small — Some reports describe small surf; other reports describe medium waves—overall conditions are inconsistent.
Launch
Big — Wide sandy beach with ample space for preparing gear.
Launch Difficulty
Easy — Wide sandy launch area and generally easy access.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
13–16 °C
Water Temperature
14–26 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jan, Feb, Mar: 3/2mm or 4/3mmApr–Dec: 4/3mm
Crowds by Season

Can be busy on weekends and public holidays during summer; relatively quiet during the week

Storm/Rain Season

June to August is the winter rainy season

By sport

What to expect for each.

KitesurfingSkill Level

Described as a popular spot for wave riding and downwinders with manageable swell.

WaveFreerideFoilDownwinder
Kite Sizes
7–10 m²
WindsurfingSkill Level

Good for wave sailing and freeriding; often less crowded than nearby larger venues.

WaveFreeride
Sail Sizes
4.2–5.3 m²
WingfoilingSkill Level

Suitable when swell is small; cold water and shore break require experience.

Foil Friendly
Yes
Min Depth
1.5 meters
Wing Sizes
3–5 m²
SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Fairly exposed, inconsistent beach break with both left and right-hand waves; best with a southwest swell and offshore/cleaner wind setups.

Beach break
Wave Direction
Both
Optimal Swell
SW, W
Swell Height
1–2.5 m
Optimal Tide
Low, Mid — Reported best conditions occur at low to mid tide.
Shelter
Exposed
Wind Effect
East or Northeast winds groom the waves; strong Southeast winds make it very choppy. Conditions are sensitive to wind.
Bigger Swell
Can close out when the swell exceeds 3 meters.
Wave Quality
Average — Wave quality can be inconsistent.
Wave Power
Moderate
Wave Shape
Peeling — Reported as peeling.
Peel Speed
Medium
Ride Length
Medium — Reported 50 to 100 meters on a good day.
Typical Ride Length
75 m
Ride Length Details
Rides are typically 50 to 100 meters on a good day; one report lists typical rides around 75 meters.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Tweede Steen in the full forecast view.

Tweede Steen wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
2–17 ktsGusts 30 kts
Direction
S184°
Strongest day
Sun, Oct 2517 kts
Windy days
2/712 kts or more
Waves
0.8–2.7 m9s period
Temperature
13–31 °C

Over the next 7 days, Tweede Steen is forecast for daytime winds of 2–17 kts, peaking around 17 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 30 kts. The prevailing direction is S. Waves run 0.8–2.7 m with a period of about 9s. 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
  • Rip currents
  • Cold water (risk of hypothermia)
  • Great White Sharks (rare but present in the region)
Ability Level: Intermediate
Recommended Safety Gear
WetsuitHoodBoots

Rescue & support

Lifeguard
Seasonal
Rescue & Self-Rescue
Yes — NSRI rescue coverage in the wider coastline area (including Melkbosstrand Station 18).
Emergency Info
National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Station 18 (Melkbosstrand) is the nearest rescue contact. In South Africa, 112 is the national emergency number from mobiles.
Localism / Vibe
Mild

Rules of the spot

Respect local surfers and follow standard right-of-way rules; kitesurfers should give way to swimmers and traditional surfers.

Restrictions
  • Access to the beach is via a controlled recreation area which may have operating hours.
Local Tips
  • Always check the tide as low tide can produce heavy close-outs.
  • Park in designated areas (controlled access/parking guidance) to avoid security risks.
  • Cold-water sessions make a proper wetsuit essential.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Cape Town
Nearest Town
Bloubergstrand
Parking
Open car park near the beach (first one after passing Big Bay) / dedicated parking lot within the picnic and recreation area.
Access
Accessible via the R27 coastal road; entry is through the Blaauwberg Nature Reserve / Eerste Steen Resort gates. Follow signs to Blouberg beach, go past Big Bay to the first open car park near the beach.
Local Language
English, Afrikaans, Xhosa
Amenities

What's on the beach

Toilets
Parking
Picnic area
Accommodation
Near — Numerous guest houses and hotels in Bloubergstrand and Melkbosstrand.
Food & Drink
Braai/barbecue facilities on-site; restaurants and cafes are a short drive away in Blouberg.
Equipment Rental:
Rental shops are available in nearby Bloubergstrand and Table View.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Tweede Steen?

The best overall months at Tweede Steen are November, December, January, February, March. The best wind months are October, November, December, January, February, March.

Which wind directions work at Tweede Steen?

Tweede Steen works with SE, SSE, S, NW winds. Offshore directions are ENE, E, NE, NNE.

What equipment sizes are recommended at Tweede Steen?

Recommended equipment sizes at Tweede Steen: Kitesurfing: 7–10 m² · Windsurfing: 4.2–5.3 m² · Wingfoiling: 3–5 m². The typical wind range is 15–30 kts.

What skill level is Tweede Steen suitable for?

Tweede Steen suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Intermediate.