A beginner surfer's guide to Cape Town

The best spots to surf in Cape Town for beginners

Learn to surf in Cape Town at spots with smaller, gentler waves. Muizenberg and Big Bay stand out as ideal beginner surf spots.

Pink flowers in the mountains

Climate and seasons

When is the best time to visit Cape Town?

The summer season in Cape Town (December to February) is usually the best time to surf in Cape Town for beginners. This season is also warm, dry and bustling with lots of things happening.

But there are also upsides of visiting Cape Town during the other seasons- for example, spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) still offer quite gentle waves for beginners with less crowds. And during winter season, the weather tends to be better in most other regions in South Africa (except for in Cape Town unfortunately)- so if you plan to visit other regions the winter season might be your best bet.

So, the best time to visit Cape Town depends on what is important to you. I’ve put together a comprehensive guide on the pros and cons of the different seasons to help you determine what is the best season to visit Cape Town for you.

The best and safest areas to stay

Cape Town has many nice areas you can stay in as a tourist. Whether you’re seeking luxury, vibrant nightlife, family-friendly activities, or just want to surf in Cape Town, there will be an area in Cape Town that’s perfect for you. Discover 16 popular areas to stay in Cape Town.

Cape Town mountain view and picknick
Cape Town ocean view during sunset
Clifton Beach
Surf in Cape Town
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