Yellowsands Point
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Swell, 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Yellowsands Point is an exposed reef and point break on the Wild Coast, best suited to experienced surfers. The wave setup is described as unreliable at times, but when the right swell connects (especially east swell), it can deliver rewarding right-hand point waves with long, powerful rides. Conditions are shaped heavily by swell and offshore wind. One source emphasizes best swell direction as east, while another specifies an optimal right-hand point break with working swell from the south/east sector and states that conditions become cleanest with offshore North-Westerly winds. Peak performance is described around a swell window of roughly 1.0 to 3.0 meters. The main safety concern is the reef environment: the launch and takeoff involve exposed rocks/submerged sections, and hazards explicitly include rocks, sharks, and sea urchins. In addition, strong rip currents are possible near the point and around any river-mouth areas, which can increase difficulty and risk even when the surf looks manageable from shore. Despite the seriousness of the hazards, the spot is generally described as low-profile—unlikely to be too crowded even when surf is up. When planning a session, prioritize experienced judgment for wave selection, and treat the shoreline hazards and current exposure as primary constraints.
- Right-hand point break with long, powerful rides when it’s on
- Low-crowd reputation
- Clean wind window with offshore North-Westerlies
- Long, powerful right-hand point break when the swell/wind align
- Generally unlikely to be too crowded even when surf is up
- Cleanest winds described as offshore North-Westerlies
- Exposed reef and point conditions can make waves unreliable
- Hazards include rocks, sharks, and sea urchins
- Strong rip currents are possible near the point/river mouth areas
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW, W
- Offshore directions
- NW
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Wind type varies; regional pattern includes NE afternoon sea-breeze/thermal influence and SW frontal winds. At this spot, winds are described as frontal.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Described as moderate gusting.
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August
- Thermal Window
- Other · +0 kts · Regional pattern indicates NE afternoon thermals often build during high pressure, but spot-level thermal direction/window details are not specifically confirmed for Yellowsands Point.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Mixed — Mixed composition reported; reef is dominant at the point with sand further down the beach.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Big — Wave size described as big in one source; another source emphasizes it can build on the right swell.
- Launch
- Small — Rocky entries common at the point with sandy areas further down the beach.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Rocky entry; rocky entries common at the point.
Through the year
Generally quiet, but can get busier during South African school holidays.
Summer months (November to March) often see more rainfall and thunderstorms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed reef/point break with potentially unreliable waves; best with east swell. On the right conditions it can produce a long, powerful right-hand point break over reef (and sand further down the beach).
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- E, SE, S
- Swell Height
- 1–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide preferred in one source; another source indicates generally unreliable conditions, so tide may be secondary to swell/wind.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed point and reef environment.
- Wind Effect
- Cleanest with offshore North-Westerly winds.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds significant size, becoming very powerful and technical on larger swells.
- Wave Quality
- Poor — Wave quality described as poor in one source; another source describes excellent quality when conditions line up.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Described as powerful on the right swell.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Right-hand point break with peeling behavior.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Peeling sections described as fast.
- Ride Length
- Long — Advanced surfers can get long rides on optimal conditions.
- Typical Ride Length
- 150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Can offer rides exceeding 200 meters on optimal swells; one source also cites long rides around 150 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Yellowsands Point in the full forecast view.
Yellowsands Point wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–14 ktsGusts 24 kts
- Direction
- E89°
- Strongest day
- Fri, Oct 3014 kts
- Windy days
- 3/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.5–3.2 m8s period
- Temperature
- 16–27 °C
Over the next 7 days, Yellowsands Point is forecast for daytime winds of 2–14 kts, peaking around 14 kts on Friday, October 30 with gusts to 24 kts. The prevailing direction is E. Waves run 1.5–3.2 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
- Sharks
- Sea urchins
- Strong rip currents possible near the point and river mouth
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards described as seasonal for the spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue is described as limited in the region, with emergency water rescue via NSRI in East London and additional community/ad-hoc coverage.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major hospitals are located in East London, approximately 25km away. Emergency numbers: 112 (and South Africa’s national emergency numbers including 10177 for ambulance and 10111 for police).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Local scene described as welcoming but respectful of the natural environment and lineups.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect the local lineup.
- The point is best handled by experienced surfers due to the rocky entry and wave power.
- Watch for sharks as the area is known for activity along the Wild Coast.
- Be cautious of strong rip currents near the point and any nearby river-mouth areas.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- East London
- Nearest Town
- Great Kei Local Municipality
- Parking
- Parking available within the resort/caravan park area for a fee or for guests.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Access typically through the Yellow Sands Caravan Park; accommodations include extensive camping/chalet options locally and a range of stays in nearby Cintsa/Glen Eden (regional context).
- Food & Drink
- Small shop onsite at the caravan park; restaurants available in nearby Kwelera or East London.
- Equipment Rental:
- Limited availability locally; best to bring own gear from East London.
- Gear Storage
- Dedicated storage is limited (regional context).
- Gear Repair
- Minor surf repairs available in East London; specialized wind/kite repair may require sending gear to larger hubs (regional context).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Open-vehicle game drives to see the Big Five.
Guided coastal horse trails through the dunes and along the shoreline.
Craft brewery and restaurant popular with riders and families.
Family-oriented activities including zip-lining and river cruises.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Yellowsands Point?
The best overall months at Yellowsands Point are February. The best wind months are May, June, July, August.
Which wind directions work at Yellowsands Point?
Yellowsands Point works with NW, W winds. Offshore directions are NW.
What skill level is Yellowsands Point suitable for?
Yellowsands Point suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.