THE LURE
The surfing village of Muizenberg, situated between mountain and ocean, is one of Cape Town's most southerly suburbs and just a 20 minute drive from the city centre. The water in Muizenberg is warmer than most of the other spots around Cape Town, with safe beach break waves and, like the rest of the Cape, has enviable wind statistics. The Cape Doctor is the name for the strong, persistent and dry south-easterly wind that blows along the South African coast in summer, and is particularly strong around the Cape Peninsula. Known as the Cape Doctor, it is believed to help rid Cape Town of its pollution and smog. This very regular wind condition has made the Cape Town area hugely popular with travelling kiteboarders and windsurfers for many years.
THE SET-UP
Muizenberg offers a large stretch of uncrowded beach, several kilometres long and is swept by consistent, cross-onshore winds. When the wind does not blow, the beach break waves and shallow water of Muizenberg make it an ideal spot for all levels of surfers, stand-up paddle surfers and bodyboarders with small to medium size waves breaking close to shore and in deeper water.
The wind strength is very consistent throughout the day. A typical kitesurfing summers day in Muizenberg sees about 15-18 knots wind in the morning, picking up progressively to 25-30 knots in the afternoon. Due to a unique thermal effect and because of its proximity to the Cape of Good Hope, a moderate on-shore wind blows into Muizenberg on afternoons when no wind is forecast. In short, it's a real paradise for kitesurfers and is also quieter and with much more riding space than some of the kite spots to the north of the city, around the Blouberg area.
WIND, WEATHER & WATER
Air temperature averages 25 - 30°C during the summer months. The Cape Doctor can blow five to seven days a week, gradually picking up through the day and often still very strong in the evenings. Water temperatures average around 16?C, so you'll need a spring suit.
SCHOOLS
SURFSTORE AFRICA teach a full range of comprehensive kitesurfing courses in safe spots, away from the crowds and in nice, shallow and flat, fresh water at Zeekoevlei. Using Ozone kites, Surfstore Africa offers kitesurfing courses fit for all budgets and also operate a full retail store for all your equipment needs as well as providing advice on conditions and spots. Surfing, SUPing and kite buggying are also options.
Accredited by: IKO
www.surfstore.co.za / info@surfstore.co.za / +27 (0) 21 788 5055
TRAVEL AGENTS
KITEWORLDWIDE specialize in delivering extraordinary kitesurf holidays to exotic destinations while avoiding the tourist traps.
www.kiteworldwide.com / info@kiteworldwide.com / +44 (0)20 36 085 777 / +49 (0)40 20 93 45 090
Planet Kitesurf Holidays specialise in luxury tailor‐made kitesurf holidays worldwide. Through its team of highly experienced kitesurf travel professionals, the company offers expert impartial advice, backed up by full ATOL and TTA financial protection. Planet Kitesurf belongs to the Planet Travel group, a market leader in active holidays since 2000.
www.planetkitesurfholidays.com / info@planettravelholidays.com / +44 (0)1273 921 001
Freeride Kitesurf specialise in organising unique downwind adventures and tailor-made trips along the coasts of Brazil and South Africa. Booking a trip with them is a guarantee of adventure, discovering unspoilt and uncrowded spots with unbeatable conditions for kitesurfing. Every detail of the trip is taken care of by a professional team with huge local expertise.
www.freeridekitesurf.com / contact@freeridekitesurf.com
Contact: +34 660 484 782
WhatsApp: +33 669 455 473
ACCOMMODATION
This area has it all, from budget surf hostels, to boutique bed and breakfasts and hotels to big houses perched on the hillside with amazing views.
TRAVEL AGENTS
KITEWORLDWIDE specialize in delivering extraordinary kitesurf holidays to exotic destinations while avoiding the tourist traps.
www.kiteworldwide.com / info@kiteworldwide.com / +44 (0)20 36 085 777 / +49 (0)40 20 93 45 090
Planet Kitesurf Holidays specialise in luxury tailor‐made kitesurf holidays worldwide. Through its team of highly experienced kitesurf travel professionals, the company offers expert impartial advice, backed up by full ATOL and TTA financial protection. Planet Kitesurf belongs to the Planet Travel group, a market leader in active holidays since 2000.
www.planetkitesurfholidays.com / info@planettravelholidays.com / +44 (0)1273 921 001
Freeride Kitesurf specialise in organising unique downwind adventures and tailor-made trips along the coasts of Brazil and South Africa. Booking a trip with them is a guarantee of adventure, discovering unspoilt and uncrowded spots with unbeatable conditions for kitesurfing. Every detail of the trip is taken care of by a professional team with huge local expertise.
www.freeridekitesurf.com / contact@freeridekitesurf.com
Contact: +34 660 484 782
WhatsApp: +33 669 455 473
NO WIND ACTIVITIES
Stand-up paddling on windless mornings on the endless waves facing the beach in Muizenberg, or paddling out to encounter whales, seals or dolphins further out in False Bay. Just a few of the unforgettable experiences in this area that you will be talking about for a long time!
Muizenberg was one of the original centres for surfing in South Africa and its surf breaks are some of the best to learn on you will come across. Apart from being the only surf spot with warm water in Cape Town, Muizenberg also offers beach breaks suitable for all levels. There is nearly always something to get out on. Shallow water and small waves near the beach are ideal for learning on, while the waves on the outside offer medium sized waves for intermediate progression and beyond.
If the wind is light, you can still get your kite fix by going kite buggying - the constant onshore wind that sweeps the long uncrowded stretch of beach between Muizenberg and Strandfontein allows you to cruise for kilometres in light winds on a kite buggy. In strong wind conditions, the spot allows for racing on the hard sand at low tide.
GET AROUND
It's possible if you're staying right in the centre of Muizenberg that you could kite off the front and walk to the closest spot, but this area of the Cape is stunningly beautiful with so much to see and do and the public transport system is difficult/unreliable, so you should really hire a car to get around. Muizenberg is however accessible by train from Cape Town main station, so should you want to spend your stay in Muizenberg, you can get away without a car. Muizenberg surfers corner is dedicated to surfing, whereas kitesurfers and stand up paddle boarders enjoy their hobbies at Sunrise Beach.
CURRENCY
South African Rand (ZAR) - £1 = ZAR23 / US$1= ZAR16 / €1 = ZAR18. There are lots of ATMs and credits cards widely accepted.
FOOD & DRINK
Muizenberg offers unique nightlife vibes as it's a little surfer/kitesurfer town. Kalk Bay is roughly a ten minute walk away where you'll find wild parties with restaurants and bars like Polana and Brass Bell. Both are cool places to meet local and international watersport enthusiasts. Authentic people with authentic parties, but still with a very African vibe! You'll find all the conveniences too, including supermarkets etc. and in the harbour there's a fresh fish market, too.
AIRPORTS
Cape Town International airport (CPT) is about 30 minutes away. Check with your accommodation providers or with Surfstore Africa for transfers or to arrange a car hire ready for you at the airport when you arrive.
TRAVEL AGENTS
KITEWORLDWIDE specialize in delivering extraordinary kitesurf holidays to exotic destinations while avoiding the tourist traps.
www.kiteworldwide.com / info@kiteworldwide.com / +44 (0)20 36 085 777 / +49 (0)40 20 93 45 090
Planet Kitesurf Holidays specialise in luxury tailor‐made kitesurf holidays worldwide. Through its team of highly experienced kitesurf travel professionals, the company offers expert impartial advice, backed up by full ATOL and TTA financial protection. Planet Kitesurf belongs to the Planet Travel group, a market leader in active holidays since 2000.
www.planetkitesurfholidays.com / info@planettravelholidays.com / +44 (0)1273 921 001
Freeride Kitesurf specialise in organising unique downwind adventures and tailor-made trips along the coasts of Brazil and South Africa. Booking a trip with them is a guarantee of adventure, discovering unspoilt and uncrowded spots with unbeatable conditions for kitesurfing. Every detail of the trip is taken care of by a professional team with huge local expertise.
www.freeridekitesurf.com / contact@freeridekitesurf.com
Contact: +34 660 484 782
WhatsApp: +33 669 455 473