Vleesbaai
- Advanced riders
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Vleesbaai is an exposed right-hand point break known for fast, hollow waves and long rides, but it is also notably fickle and rarely breaks—reported around five days per year. Because of the point’s geometry, the wave typically needs the right swell to wrap into the bay, and conditions can be very demanding compared with more consistent public breaks. The wave is most reliable when surf is generated from the southeast and arrives with a working swell window around 1.0–1.5 meters, building up to larger size (reported up to 2.5 meters and above). Low tide is repeatedly emphasized as the key tide position for performance, and the wave tends to be especially fast once it sets up. Offshore winds from the west/southwest direction help groom the wave and support the hollow sections. Access is the main non-water challenge: the spot is situated on private farmland and/or gated private areas, so you should expect to ask permission and confirm entry rules before going. Parking can be limited and you should plan for a 15–30 minute walk to reach the point from where access allows. Even on good days, the crowd is typically very small. Safety is a priority at Vleesbaai. Reported hazards include urchins, rocks, reef, and sharks, and currents can be strong near the point—rip currents are especially common as swell size increases. Lifeguards are not reported, and sea rescue availability is limited via the nearby Mossel Bay area, so experienced, well-prepared surfers are strongly advised.
- Rare, high-performance hollow right-hand point break
- Long rides reported on ideal days (50–150 m normally; 150–300 m on good days)
- Best at low tide with southeast swell
- Often very uncrowded
- Powerful, hollow right-hand point break with long rides
- Often uncrowded even on good days
- Best conditions align with low tide and southeast swell
- Rarely breaks (about 5 days/year)
- Access is limited by private farmland / gated areas and may require permission
- Hazardous conditions: sharks, urchins, rocks/reef, and strong currents near the point
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- WSW, W
- Offshore directions
- W, WSW
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Wind is associated with frontal systems in the winter period (W/SW-dominated), with west/Southwest winds preferred for this spot.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusting reported; conditions can vary with passing systems.
- Best Months
- June
- Shadow Zones
- The point can be sheltered from certain wind directions by surrounding cliffs.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand with rock/reef influence at the point.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Big — Works from small sizes (around 1.0–1.5m) and can build to larger swell (up to 2.5m+ reported).
- Launch
- Medium — Rocky point launch for experienced surfers; sandy beach further into the bay as an alternative approach.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Reported launch difficulty is difficult; often requires expert local approach and experience with the rocky point.
Through the year
Generally quiet on weekdays; can see a small crowd of dedicated locals and travelers on peak weekends.
Winter fronts bring the most significant swells and wind; rain can occur year-round.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed reef and point break with fast, hollow right-hand waves. It is rarely breaking and typically requires southeast swells at low tide to wrap into the bay and deliver the best shape.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- SSE, S, SE, E
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Low tide only (best performance reported at low tide).
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed to the open ocean; sometimes described as semi-sheltered from some winds due to the point/cliffs.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore winds from the West and Southwest groom the wave and help create hollow sections; west-southwest is described as offshore.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds significant size (reported up to 2.5m+) and gets increasingly powerful; generally expected to keep shape through larger swell if it wraps correctly.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Epic / excellent wave quality with long rides on the rare good days.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Powerful hollow sections; becomes increasingly powerful on bigger swell.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Hollow and fast right-hand point break.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast, hollow right-hand waves; generally groomed by offshore winds.
- Ride Length
- Long — Can deliver long rides on ideal days.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–300 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typical rides reported as 50–150 meters normally, and 150–300 meters on good days.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Vleesbaai in the full forecast view.
Vleesbaai wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–12 ktsGusts 23 kts
- Direction
- SE128°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 2612 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.1–2.0 m9s period
- Temperature
- 13–23 °C
Over the next 7 days, Vleesbaai is forecast for daytime winds of 2–12 kts, peaking around 12 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 23 kts. The prevailing direction is SE. Waves run 1.1–2.0 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
- Sharks
- Urchins
- Rocks
- Reef
- Strong currents
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported for this spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Sea rescue coverage is limited and provided by NSRI Station 15 based in nearby Mossel Bay.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facilities are in Mossel Bay or George. National emergency number is 112.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Moderate localism reported; respect local surfers and the private access situation.
Rules of the spot
Ask permission before accessing the private farmland where the spot is located. Respect local surfers and the private nature of the surrounding land.
- Private land access required
- Gated community access may apply
- Respect private farmland rules and any access permissions
- Best at low tide.
- The spot is notoriously fickle and needs a large swell to wrap around the point.
- Access is limited because it is on private farmland/gated areas; expect limited parking and plan for a 15–30 minute walk.
- Rip currents are common near the point, especially as swell size increases.
- Nearest major medical facilities are in Mossel Bay or George.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- George
- Nearest Town
- Vleesbaai
- Nearest Airport
- George Airport (GRJ)
- Parking
- Limited parking; typically requires a 15–30 minute walk to the point.
- Public Transport
- very limited; private vehicle or rental car is essential for access
- Access
- Drive ~1 hour south from Mossel Bay; turnoff is Vleesbaai. The spot is on private farmland (or gated/private holiday village areas) requiring permission to access; plan for a 15–30 minute walk to the point. Limited parking.
- Local Language
- English, Afrikaans
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Holiday rentals are available in the Vleesbaai area, with additional accommodation options in Mossel Bay and George.
- Food & Drink
- Limited options in the immediate village; more services are available in nearby Mossel Bay.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental equipment is not typically available on-site at these remote spots; gear must be rented in Mossel Bay or George.
- Gear Storage
- No dedicated public gear storage facilities exist in this remote cluster.
- Gear Repair
- Minor repairs can be handled by shops in Mossel Bay; major specialized repairs may require traveling further.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Vleesbaai?
The best overall months at Vleesbaai are June, July, August. The best wind months are June.
Which wind directions work at Vleesbaai?
Vleesbaai works with WSW, W winds. Offshore directions are W, WSW.
What skill level is Vleesbaai suitable for?
Vleesbaai suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced to Expert.