Overview

Flat Rocks is a reef spot located on the south coast of Port Elizabeth, in Algoa Bay. The name refers to the flat rock platforms that characterise this section of coast. The spot offers good quality reef waves during southwest swells. This is an advanced spot due to the rocky bottom and often committing conditions. Popular with experienced PE surfers and kiters.

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Spot forecast for Flat Rocks

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 0.6 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

Flat Rocks: 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 June, at 19 °C. The wettest month is October, with 104 mm.

Monthly averages: Flat Rocks

Monthly averages — Flat Rocks — 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	19 °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 Flat Rocks

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Technical details of Flat Rocks 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. Reef waves — rideable at mid-high to high tide for more depth. At low tide, the reef is dangerous. Conditions often committing. Local riders know rideable zones and exit channels.

Spot opening date · Required level

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

On the water

Waves of 1-2.5 metres on flat reef. Rocky bottom — dangerous. Currents along the reef. Water temperature between 18-22°C (Algoa Bay, Indian Ocean influence). 3/2 wetsuit in summer, 4/3 in winter.

Parking

Access from Marine Drive along PE's south coast. Some parking spaces along the road. Residential area. Facilities in PE minutes away.

Wind specificities

Southeast wind blows side-onshore on this south-facing coast. It is the dominant wind in summer (October-March), reaching 15-25 knots in the afternoon. Port Elizabeth is known as the "Windy City" of South Africa — wind is very reliable and often strong. Southwest wind accompanies cold fronts.

Hazards

Flat and shallow rocky reef — risk of serious injury. Currents along the reef. Sharks present in Algoa Bay. Do not ride at low tide. Know the spot before riding. Reserved for advanced riders.

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PORT ELIZABETH AWS6.5 kmsource WIS2 - WMO

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Additional stations

ZS2JO PORT ELIZABETH ZA13.3 km

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source madis - NOAA
ZS2JO13.3 km

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source CWOP / APRS-IS

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Webcams near Flat Rocks

Webcams provided by Windy.com

Nearby spots

All spots: Eastern Cape

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Flat Rocks kitesurf, wingfoil and surf spot