Overview

Avalanche is a wave spot located on the south coast of Port Elizabeth, between Millars Point and Flat Rocks. The name evokes the powerful conditions that characterise this spot during large swells. Waves break on a mixed sand and reef bottom. This is an advanced spot appreciated for committed wave riding. Part of the PE south coast spot series, the most popular area for the city's kiters.

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Spot forecast for Avalanche

Sunrise 05:29 · Sunset 18:34

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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 2.4 km from the spot.

Tuesday 20 October Low tide 05:32 · 0.8 m High tide 12:14 · 1.2 m Low tide 18:37 · 0.8 m
Wednesday 21 October High tide 00:27 · 1.2 m Low tide 06:32 · 0.7 m High tide 12:57 · 1.4 m Low tide 19:14 · 0.6 m
Thursday 22 October High tide 01:11 · 1.3 m Low tide 07:09 · 0.5 m High tide 13:29 · 1.5 m Low tide 19:44 · 0.5 m
Friday 23 October High tide 01:45 · 1.4 m Low tide 07:40 · 0.4 m High tide 13:58 · 1.7 m Low tide 20:13 · 0.3 m
Saturday 24 October High tide 02:16 · 1.6 m Low tide 08:11 · 0.3 m High tide 14:27 · 1.8 m Low tide 20:43 · 0.2 m

Avalanche: 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

187h

in December · 26 rideable days

The season runs from September to March, peaking in December: 21 rideable days a month and 187 hours of usable wind, at 23 °C. The low point is July, at 4 days.

Rideable days per month

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 74%13-20 knots · 25%21-30 knots · 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 74% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is July, at 18 °C. The wettest month is October, with 104 mm.

Monthly averages: Avalanche

Monthly averages — Avalanche — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month	Rideable days	Usable wind	Temperature	Rain
January	24.5	203 h	24 °C	49 mm
February	18.0	140 h	24 °C	21 mm
March	19.5	113 h	24 °C	34 mm
April	10.0	69 h	22 °C	65 mm
May	11.0	44 h	22 °C	11 mm
June	7.0	33 h	19 °C	80 mm
July	4.0	13 h	18 °C	37 mm
August	11.5	53 h	19 °C	10 mm
September	16.5	107 h	19 °C	38 mm
October	18.5	123 h	21 °C	104 mm
November	22.0	162 h	22 °C	48 mm
December	26.0	187 h	24 °C	20 mm

Photo gallery of Avalanche

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Technical details of Avalanche spot

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

Rideable Not rideable

Spot functioning

The spot works with SE to SW wind and SW swell. Mixed sand/reef bottom. Powerful waves during large swells. Rideable at all tides but safer at high tide. Conditions often committing — check forecasts before coming.

Spot opening date · Required level

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

On the water

Waves of 1-3 metres. Mixed sand and reef bottom. Strong currents during large swells. Chop in sustained SE. Water temperature between 18-22°C. 3/2 wetsuit in summer, 4/3 in winter.

Parking

Access from Marine Drive. Parking along the road. Residential area on PE's south coast. Facilities in neighbouring suburbs.

Wind specificities

Southeast wind blows side-onshore. PE being the "Windy City", SE is very reliable and often strong (15-28 knots) in summer. The SE thermal picks up late morning and blows until sunset. SW wind accompanies cold fronts with stronger conditions.

Hazards

Reef bottom in some areas. Powerful waves during large swells (hence the name). Strong currents. Sharks in Algoa Bay. Reserved for advanced riders. Do not ride without knowing the spot.

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PORT ELIZABETH AWS5.2 kmsource WIS2 - WMO

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Additional stations

ZS2JO PORT ELIZABETH ZA12.1 km

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source madis - NOAA
ZS2JO12.1 km

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source CWOP / APRS-IS

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Webcams near Avalanche

Webcams provided by Windy.com

Nearby spots

All spots: Eastern Cape

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Avalanche kitesurf, wingfoil and surf spot