Top Surfing Sites in Africa
For years the frothing, white-rimmed rollers of Indonesia, Hawaii and Australia have held the crown. But there’s a young pretender storming the royal ranks. Not so long ago the World Travel Market identified Africa, with its world-class waves and uncrowded waters, as 2015’s top affordable surfing destination. South Africa and Morocco have already made it onto the map, but a number of other unexplored areas look set to bubble to the surface.
SOUTH AFRICA. With many world-class surf spots along its 3000km coast, this country is a superlative place to explore. In the Western Cape, beginners should head to Muizenberg or Fish Hoek, while the coast between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth provides perfect point breaks to practice on. Surf-pro fans should take their boards to the Eastern Cape: Jeffreys Bay supposedly has South Africa’s best waves, and Ballito, in KwaZulu-Natal, hosts the country’s biggest surf event, the annual Mr Price Pro. NAMIBIA. This is one for the daredevils. It’s one of the last frontiers of the surfing world and remains almost untouched – which may be something to do with its harsh terrain, dangerous currents, freezing water and very large sharks. However, reports of six perfect left-hand breaks in the wild waters off the Skeleton Coast are drawing advanced surfers in. It’s bound to be a mission (almost) impossible. MADAGASCAR. The world’s fourth-largest island is renowned for its biodiversity. What many people don’t know is that it’s also host to some consistent Indian Ocean swells along its rugged coastline. There are surf spots on all four corners but the laid-back village of Anakao in the southwest stands out. Don’t miss riding the epic white water at Flame Bowl or Puss-Puss.
MOROCCO. Just a short flight from the UK, Morocco is very accessible. The coastline between Essaouira (west of Marrakech) and Taghazout (just north of Agadir) is peppered with superb breaks, and surfers flock to the plentiful camps along this stretch. MOZAMBIQUE. With its milk-white sands, warm waters and empty reef breaks, this country makes for a surfers’ paradise. The area around the town of Inhambane – in particular, Barra Beach has exposed but impressive surf, while lesser-visited Ponta do Ouro (150km south of Maputo) has world-class waves when the conditions are right. SENEGAL. Tiny, sleepy NGor Island marks Africa’s westernmost point. While quiet, white beaches flank one side of the isle, the other is pounded by consistent Atlantic rollers, earning it the title of the ‘surf capital of West Africa’. The best wave here is the right-hander at NGor beach, made famous by Bruce Brown’s 1966 documentary The Endless Summer. More travel tips on vacation-now.com