Overview

Glencairn is a small rocky bay between Fish Hoek and Simon's Town on the western shore of False Bay. The spot features a compact sandy beach surrounded by rocks with relatively sheltered waters. Less busy than other bay spots, it's a quiet spot for intermediates. The area is known for its African penguins (Boulders Beach colony nearby).

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Spot forecast for Glencairn

Sunrise 05:58 · Sunset 19:03

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< 7 kn7–12 kn13–20 kn21–30 kn31–40 kn41+ kn Gusts Your minimum: 7 kn

Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo

Swell and waves

Swell and tides over 8 days. Premium members see the swell and tides over 8 days. Without a subscription: 5 days.

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Wave height: < 0.5 m 0.5–1 m 1–2 m 2–3 m ≥ 3 m

Swell data by Open-Meteo Marine

Tides

Heights above lowest astronomical tide, in the spot's local time. Computed 3.2 km from the spot.

Tuesday 20 October Low tide 05:00 · 0.7 m High tide 11:24 · 1.2 m Low tide 17:52 · 0.7 m High tide 23:47 · 1.2 m
Wednesday 21 October Low tide 05:55 · 0.6 m High tide 12:10 · 1.4 m Low tide 18:33 · 0.6 m
Thursday 22 October High tide 00:32 · 1.3 m Low tide 06:34 · 0.5 m High tide 12:46 · 1.5 m Low tide 19:06 · 0.4 m
Friday 23 October High tide 01:09 · 1.4 m Low tide 07:08 · 0.4 m High tide 13:18 · 1.6 m Low tide 19:38 · 0.3 m
Saturday 24 October High tide 01:43 · 1.5 m Low tide 07:41 · 0.4 m High tide 13:50 · 1.7 m Low tide 20:10 · 0.2 m

Glencairn: when to go?

Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)

Season · peak

370h

in November · 25.5 rideable days

The season runs from September to April, peaking in November: 21 rideable days a month and 370 hours of usable wind, at 22 °C. The low point is July, at 6 days.

Rideable days per month

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 34%13-20 knots · 49%21-30 knots · 17%31+ knots · under 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 13 and 20 knots — 49% of rideable hours. That is the most versatile range, where most kites work. The coldest month is July, at 15 °C. The wettest month is July, with 161 mm.

Monthly averages: Glencairn

Monthly averages — Glencairn — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month	Rideable days	Usable wind	Temperature	Rain
January	21.5	285 h	25 °C	13 mm
February	20.0	250 h	24 °C	11 mm
March	20.5	249 h	23 °C	18 mm
April	21.5	226 h	21 °C	64 mm
May	9.5	93 h	19 °C	30 mm
June	8.0	67 h	18 °C	93 mm
July	6.0	51 h	15 °C	161 mm
August	6.0	44 h	16 °C	77 mm
September	18.0	218 h	18 °C	21 mm
October	21.0	256 h	21 °C	21 mm
November	25.5	370 h	22 °C	11 mm
December	21.5	293 h	23 °C	26 mm

Photo gallery of Glencairn

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Technical details of Glencairn spot

The spot works with winds from ESE, SE, SSE, S.

Rideable Not rideable

Spot functioning

Works in SE, SSE and S from October to March. High tide significantly reduces beach space. Prefer low tide. Small spot, not suitable for large groups.

Spot opening date · Required level

Spot opening date: Open all year round
Required level: Intermediate

On the water

Relatively calm water in the bay. Rocks on the sides — stay in the center. Sandy bottom in the center, rocky on the edges. Water at 16-20°C, 3/2 wetsuit.

Parking

Small free parking by the beach. Limited spaces. Residential area. Leave nothing in your vehicle.

Wind specificities

SE is channeled into the small bay and arrives side-onshore. Moderate strength, 12-22 knots. The rocky bay provides some protection. SSE and S also work. Wind often lighter than exposed spots.

Hazards

Sharks: high-risk area for great whites, like Fish Hoek. Rocks on the sides of the bay. Limited space. Protected penguins nearby — respect the wildlife. Car break-ins.

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ZS1OA-5 Cape Town ZA17 kmsource madis - NOAA

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Additional stations

ZS1OA-517.1 km

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source CWOP / APRS-IS
FW7342 Cape Town ZA19.3 km

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source madis - NOAA

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Webcams near Glencairn

Webcams provided by Windy.com

Nearby spots

All spots: Western Cape

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Glencairn kitesurf, wingfoil and windsurf spot