Garden Route, Western Cape
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Positives
- High swell consistency
- Variety of right pointbreaks
- Cheap and uncrowded
- Fabulous nature activities
Negatives
- Cool water year round
- Virtually no lefts
- No major airport nearby
- Packed tourist season
- Great white sharks
Garden Route, Western Cape surf travel guide
Half way between Cape Town and J-Bay are clusters of right pointbreaks, condensed in a popular area known as the 'Garden Route'. This 250km stretch of coastal towns with exposed beachbreaks or sheltered bays, is also renowned for its unique flora and fauna, while the water teems with life as whales and dolphins frequent the wild ocean off South Africa’s tip.
Surf spots in Garden Route, Western Cape
Research the 14 surf breaks in Garden Route, Western Cape and discover what spots suit the current conditions.
Break lowdown
We’ve collated the wave data giving you a unique insight into the 14 breaks in Garden Route, Western Cape.
When to go
Surf and weather statistics to help plan your surf trip to Garden Route, Western Cape
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Travel Information
General
- Current Time
- Tourists
- 10,472,000
- Population
- 59,308,690
- Tourist Info
- Tourist Info
Security
Health
Money
- Currency
- ZAR
- Exchange rate
- $1 = 7.24 ZAR ZAR
Cost of living
Communication
- Dialing in
- +27
- Dialing out
- 09
- Emergencies
- 112
- Language
- Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Sotho, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venḓa, Xhosa, Zulu, Afrikaans and English are all official languages. Plus there are many other non official languages.
Electricity
- Plug Type
- dmn
Visas
Currently nearly every country in the world can go to South Africa without needing a visa but always check the latest news to be sure
Getting There
Flights to George Airport (GRJ) from Johannesburg (JNB) take 1hr40. Plett is 18hrs by bus from Jo-Burg with Translux buses. Plettenberg is 6hrs drive from Cape Town and 2hrs drive from Port Elizabeth.
Getting Around
It takes 2hrs to drive from Mossel Bay to Plettenburg, with ample spot checking opportunities. Rental car (from $150/wk). Inter city transport by bus or minibus is excellent and cheap (Mainliner).
Accommodation
Avoid Dec-Feb when prices hit the roof. Robberg resort ($115/dble), Ohannas B&B ($45/dble) or Little Sanctuary self catering for 4 ($24p/n). Expect $10 for a meal.
Activities
Dive in cages to see white sharks. Whale and dolphin watching spots are plentiful. On either sides of the Route are two bungee jumping sites. Visit Tsitsikamma Park forests, Robberg in Plett has a reserve. Mossel Bay is scenic despite Mossgas’ huge oil refinery.
Hazards & hassles
The shark factor can be a problem, recent fatal attacks have occurred in Keurbooms, Buffel and Mossel Bay. Avoid sardine runs (well noticed by the media), sunset sessions and murky waters and all should be fine. Summer bluebottle flies can be much more of a hassle. Some localism at Mossel Bay.
Handy Hints
Loads of surf shops with cheap gear (board and wettie from $550). A semi-gun in winter might be necessary.
Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.