Top Surf Spots in KZN
Summer in KwaZulu-Natal is hot and the water appealing, but
onshore northeasterly winds tend to make it choppy unless you get there at
first light. Waves are generally smaller, less powerful and inconsistent during
the warmer months, whereas winter brings groundswell, glassy conditions and
longer rides.
DID YOU KNOW?
The first South African Surfing Championships took place in
Durban in 1966.
Broadly speaking, the KwaZulu-Natal coastline is divided
into three zones: Durban, North Coast and South Coast.
Durban, or Surf City, has The Golden Mile of perfect beaches
tucked between a series of piers. These are all consistent beach breaks capable
of holding sizeable winter swell and summer cyclone swell. The most popular of
these are: Bay of Plenty; New Pier; North Beach; Wedge and Dairy. Further south
towards the harbour, uShaka and Vetches only pick up when massive southerly
winter swells wrap around the harbour and onto the reef.
South of the harbour, bluff beaches meeting the oncoming
swell provide solid surfing conditions at the likes of Ansteys, Cave Rock,
Brighton and Garvies. Of these, Cave Rock offers the biggest, best waves, but,
with a reef bottom, only experienced surfers should apply.
The South Coast, with its many reef and beach breaks, holds
the promise of perfect hollow waves, especially if you’re in the water early
before the wind picks up in summer, or in winter when the swell is big and
conditions generally glassy.
The first South Coast beach, Amanzimtoti, is a 20 minute
drive from Durban, followed by Warner Beach. Further south, Scottburgh’s
consistent right point break means there’s always someone in the water, while
Happy Wanderers’ right reef break is empty until conditions are perfect. An
hour further south are a number of good reef-to-sand surf spots: Margate;
Uvongo; St Michaels; Umzumbe and Lucien.
North of Durban, surf spots worth a visit include Ballito,
Umdloti, Westbrook, Umhlanga, Salt Rock, Sodwana Bay and Richards Bay. Of
these, Ballito and Umhlanga have the best waves and enjoy a vibrant beach
culture, with oodles of accommodation, while Westbrook features a long right
when the swell is not too big.
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