Overview

Cape Vidal is a spectacular kite spot in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO site, on the north-east coast of KwaZulu-Natal. This wild beach offers ocean conditions with warm tropical waters (24-28°C) and coral reefs. Exceptional natural setting with rich marine life. Isolated spot reserved for advanced riders.

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Spot forecast for Cape Vidal

Sunrise 05:08 · Sunset 18:01

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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 0.4 km from the spot.

Tuesday 20 October Low tide 05:19 · 1 m High tide 12:26 · 1.4 m Low tide 18:37 · 1 m
Wednesday 21 October High tide 00:36 · 1.4 m Low tide 06:40 · 0.9 m High tide 13:11 · 1.6 m Low tide 19:20 · 0.8 m
Thursday 22 October High tide 01:20 · 1.6 m Low tide 07:20 · 0.7 m High tide 13:41 · 1.8 m Low tide 19:51 · 0.6 m
Friday 23 October High tide 01:53 · 1.8 m Low tide 07:52 · 0.5 m High tide 14:09 · 2 m Low tide 20:20 · 0.5 m
Saturday 24 October High tide 02:23 · 1.9 m Low tide 08:22 · 0.4 m High tide 14:38 · 2.2 m Low tide 20:49 · 0.3 m

Cape Vidal: 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

222h

in December · 25 rideable days

The season runs from October to January, peaking in December: 23 rideable days a month and 222 hours of usable wind, at 26 °C. The low point is June, at 11.5 days.

Rideable days per month

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 63%13-20 knots · 37%21-30 knots · 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 63% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is June, at 23 °C. The wettest month is March, with 220 mm.

Monthly averages: Cape Vidal

Monthly averages — Cape Vidal — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month	Rideable days	Usable wind	Temperature	Rain
January	24.0	191 h	28 °C	129 mm
February	17.0	144 h	28 °C	108 mm
March	24.5	195 h	27 °C	220 mm
April	15.5	98 h	25 °C	128 mm
May	17.5	98 h	25 °C	16 mm
June	11.5	51 h	23 °C	52 mm
July	12.5	69 h	23 °C	25 mm
August	21.5	134 h	24 °C	30 mm
September	19.0	127 h	24 °C	84 mm
October	21.5	165 h	24 °C	59 mm
November	20.0	172 h	26 °C	86 mm
December	25.0	222 h	27 °C	99 mm

Photo gallery of Cape Vidal

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Technical details of Cape Vidal spot

The spot works with winds from NNE, NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE.

Rideable Not rideable

Spot functioning

The spot works in NE to SE winds. Sandy beach with coral reefs offshore. Tide strongly influences conditions: at low tide, the reef is exposed. Constant ocean swell. Best at mid to high tide.

Spot opening date · Required level

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

On the water

Very warm tropical water (24-28°C), boardshorts sufficient. Sandy bottom near the beach, coral reef offshore. Regular waves. Coastal currents. Rich marine life (turtles, rays, tropical fish).

Parking

Access from St Lucia via iSimangaliso park (40 km dirt road). Park entrance fee. Parking at Cape Vidal camp. Accommodation in the park camp. Basic infrastructure.

Wind specificities

The dominant wind is the NE (summer trade wind), blowing side-onshore. The coast is very wind-exposed. SSW winds work side-offshore. Often windy conditions. Year-round, best October to April.

Hazards

Sharp coral reef. Strong coastal currents. Sharks present (bull sharks, tiger sharks). Very isolated spot, rescue far away. Hippos on the beach at night. Nature reserve with strict regulations. Buddy system mandatory.

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Nearby spots

All spots: KwaZulu-Natal

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Cape Vidal kitesurf, wingfoil and surf spot