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Port Alfred kitesurf, wingfoil and windsurf spot

South Africa · Cap oriental

Spot currently openIntermediate levelAltitude 5 m -33.6 | 26.9

Overview

Port Alfred is a popular seaside resort on the Sunshine Coast of the Eastern Cape, at the Kowie River mouth. This spot offers several sailing options: the main beach for ocean conditions and the Kowie River estuary for flat water. The town provides all necessary amenities, making Port Alfred an ideal base for exploring the region's spots.

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Spot forecast for Port Alfred

Sunrise 05:24 · Sunset 18:29

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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 3.5 km from the spot.

6:0012:0018:006:0012:0018:006:0012:0018:006:0012:0018:006:0012:0018:00Tue 20Wed 21Thu 22Fri 23Sat 24 Now05:330.8 m12:191.2 m18:400.8 m00:301.2 m06:340.7 m13:011.4 m19:170.6 m01:141.3 m07:110.5 m13:321.5 m19:470.5 m01:481.4 m07:430.4 m14:011.7 m20:160.3 m02:191.5 m08:140.3 m14:301.8 m20:450.2 m
  • Tuesday 20 October Low tide · 0.8 m High tide · 1.2 m Low tide · 0.8 m
  • Wednesday 21 October High tide · 1.2 m Low tide · 0.7 m High tide · 1.4 m Low tide · 0.6 m
  • Thursday 22 October High tide · 1.3 m Low tide · 0.5 m High tide · 1.5 m Low tide · 0.5 m
  • Friday 23 October High tide · 1.4 m Low tide · 0.4 m High tide · 1.7 m Low tide · 0.3 m
  • Saturday 24 October High tide · 1.5 m Low tide · 0.3 m High tide · 1.8 m Low tide · 0.2 m

Port Alfred: 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

129h

in July · 17 rideable days

The season runs from July to October, peaking in July: 16 rideable days a month and 129 hours of usable wind, at 21 °C. The low point is March, at 12 days.

Rideable days per month

0 5 10 15 20 January: 14.5 rideable days J February: 13 rideable days F March: 12 rideable days12 d M April: 12 rideable days12 d A May: 14 rideable days M June: 13.5 rideable days J July: 17 rideable days17 d J August: 17 rideable days A September: 15.5 rideable days S October: 15 rideable days O November: 13.5 rideable days N December: 13.5 rideable days D 0 5 10 15 20 January: 14.5 rideable days J February: 13 rideable days F March: 12 rideable days12 d M April: 12 rideable days12 d A May: 14 rideable days M June: 13.5 rideable days J July: 17 rideable days17 d J August: 17 rideable days A September: 15.5 rideable days S October: 15 rideable days O November: 13.5 rideable days N December: 13.5 rideable days D

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 71%13-20 knots · 28%21-30 knots · 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 71% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is June, at 20 °C. The wettest month is June, with 103 mm.

Monthly averages: Port Alfred
Monthly averages — Port Alfred — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month Rideable days Usable wind Temperature Rain
January 14.5 130 h 26 °C 60 mm
February 13.0 141 h 25 °C 26 mm
March 12.0 114 h 26 °C 46 mm
April 12.0 106 h 23 °C 58 mm
May 14.0 106 h 23 °C 14 mm
June 13.5 95 h 20 °C 103 mm
July 17.0 129 h 20 °C 14 mm
August 17.0 138 h 21 °C 7 mm
September 15.5 148 h 20 °C 62 mm
October 15.0 165 h 22 °C 73 mm
November 13.5 151 h 23 °C 47 mm
December 13.5 150 h 25 °C 33 mm

Photo gallery of Port Alfred

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Technical details of Port Alfred spot

N: Not rideable NNE: Not rideable NE: Not rideable ENE: Not rideable E: Not rideable ESE: Not rideable SE: Not rideable SSE: Not rideable S: Not rideable SSW: Rideable SW: Rideable WSW: Rideable W: Rideable WNW: Not rideable NW: Not rideable NNW: Not rideable N E S W

The spot works with winds from SSW, SW, WSW, W.

Rideable Not rideable
Spot functioning

Versatile spot: south-facing ocean beach for SW to W wind, and Kowie River estuary for flat water at high tide. The marina is located in the estuary. Easy launching from beaches or river banks.

Spot opening date · Required level
Spot opening date
Open all year round
Required level
Intermediate
On the water

Ocean water on the beaches — temperature 18-22°C in summer. Brackish and flat water in the estuary. Sandy bottom. Wetsuit recommended.

Parking

Parking available in town and along the beaches. Easy access from the R72 or N2. All services (shops, restaurants, accommodation) available in town.

Wind specificities

The dominant wind is south-westerly, side-onshore on this south-facing coast. Westerly and WSW winds are also favourable. Regular south-westerly thermals in summer afternoons. The Kowie River can channel wind in the estuary. Typical strength of 15-25 knots.

Hazards

Strong current at the Kowie River mouth, especially on outgoing tide. Shore break in big swell. Boat traffic in the harbour channel. Sharks present in these waters. Swimmers possible on the beaches.

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All spots: Cap oriental

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