Britannia Bay kitesurf, wingfoil and windsurf spot

South Africa · Western Cape

Spot currently openIntermediate level -32.72 | 17.95

Overview

Britannia Bay is a semi-sheltered bay on the West Coast, north of Saldanha. The bay offers some protection from Atlantic swell while catching the SE wind. It's an intermediate spot with less extreme conditions than the exposed ocean spots on the West Coast. The village is small and quiet.

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Spot forecast for Britannia Bay

Sunrise 06:01 · Sunset 19:04

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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 3.4 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 Now05:020.7 m11:241.3 m17:540.7 m23:481.2 m05:570.6 m12:121.4 m18:350.6 m00:351.3 m06:370.5 m12:491.5 m19:090.4 m01:131.5 m07:120.5 m13:221.6 m19:410.3 m01:481.6 m07:450.4 m13:551.7 m20:130.2 m
  • Tuesday 20 October Low tide · 0.7 m High tide · 1.3 m Low tide · 0.7 m High tide · 1.2 m
  • Wednesday 21 October Low tide · 0.6 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 · 0.4 m
  • Friday 23 October High tide · 1.5 m Low tide · 0.5 m High tide · 1.6 m Low tide · 0.3 m
  • Saturday 24 October High tide · 1.6 m Low tide · 0.4 m High tide · 1.7 m Low tide · 0.2 m

Britannia Bay: 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

354h

in November · 27.5 rideable days

The season runs from September to April, peaking in November: 24 rideable days a month and 354 hours of usable wind, at 23 °C. The low point is July, at 9 days.

Rideable days per month

0 10 20 30 January: 25 rideable days J February: 24.5 rideable days F March: 23.5 rideable days M April: 23 rideable days A May: 13.5 rideable days M June: 9.5 rideable days J July: 9 rideable days9 d J August: 12 rideable days A September: 21.5 rideable days S October: 23.5 rideable days O November: 27.5 rideable days27.5 d N December: 26 rideable days D 0 10 20 30 January: 25 rideable days J February: 24.5 rideable days F March: 23.5 rideable days M April: 23 rideable days A May: 13.5 rideable days M June: 9.5 rideable days J July: 9 rideable days9 d J August: 12 rideable days A September: 21.5 rideable days S October: 23.5 rideable days O November: 27.5 rideable days27.5 d N December: 26 rideable days D

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 44%13-20 knots · 51%21-30 knots · 5%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 13 and 20 knots — 51% 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 90 mm.

Monthly averages: Britannia Bay
Monthly averages — Britannia Bay — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month Rideable days Usable wind Temperature Rain
January 25.0 292 h 25 °C 5 mm
February 24.5 259 h 25 °C 2 mm
March 23.5 222 h 23 °C 23 mm
April 23.0 187 h 22 °C 11 mm
May 13.5 110 h 20 °C 25 mm
June 9.5 60 h 17 °C 46 mm
July 9.0 66 h 15 °C 90 mm
August 12.0 101 h 16 °C 49 mm
September 21.5 206 h 19 °C 17 mm
October 23.5 238 h 22 °C 12 mm
November 27.5 354 h 23 °C 6 mm
December 26.0 305 h 23 °C 8 mm

Photo gallery of Britannia Bay

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Technical details of Britannia Bay spot

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

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

Rideable Not rideable
Spot functioning

Works in SE, S and SSW from October to March. The bay filters some of the swell. Rideable at all tides. Thermal wind early afternoon.

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

Small chop to moderate waves in the bay. Sandy bottom. Cold water (12-16°C), 4/3 wetsuit recommended.

Parking

Parking in Britannia Bay village. Calm and safe area.

Wind specificities

The SE (Cape Doctor) enters the bay side-shore to side-onshore depending on the section. Strength 15-25 knots from October to March. The bay offers some protection. S and SSW also work.

Hazards

Rocks on the sides of the bay. Cold water. Tidal current.

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Webcams near Britannia Bay

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