Hout Bay Beach kitesurf, wingfoil and surf spot

South Africa · Western Cape

Spot currently openIntermediate levelAltitude 2 m -34.05 | 18.35

Overview

Hout Bay Beach is a sheltered beach in Hout Bay, on the Atlantic side of the Cape Peninsula. This semi-enclosed bay offers more protected conditions than the exposed neighboring coast. The south-easterly Cape Doctor blows offshore to side-offshore, creating a smoother water surface but with wind pushing out to sea. The beach is bordered by the fishing harbor and Sentinel Mountain. Hout Bay is also famous for its seal colonies and craft market.

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Spot forecast for Hout Bay Beach

Sunrise 05:58 · 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 3.8 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 Now04:590.7 m11:251.2 m17:530.7 m23:481.2 m05:540.6 m12:111.3 m18:340.5 m00:341.3 m06:340.5 m12:471.4 m19:070.4 m01:111.4 m07:090.4 m13:191.6 m19:390.3 m01:451.5 m07:420.3 m13:521.6 m20:110.2 m
  • Tuesday 20 October Low tide · 0.7 m High tide · 1.2 m Low tide · 0.7 m High tide · 1.2 m
  • Wednesday 21 October Low tide · 0.6 m High tide · 1.3 m Low tide · 0.5 m
  • Thursday 22 October High tide · 1.3 m Low tide · 0.5 m High tide · 1.4 m Low tide · 0.4 m
  • Friday 23 October High tide · 1.4 m Low tide · 0.4 m High tide · 1.6 m Low tide · 0.3 m
  • Saturday 24 October High tide · 1.5 m Low tide · 0.3 m High tide · 1.6 m Low tide · 0.2 m

Hout Bay Beach: 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

366h

in November · 25.5 rideable days

The season runs from September to April, peaking in November: 22 rideable days a month and 366 hours of usable wind, at 22 °C. The low point is July, at 6.5 days.

Rideable days per month

0 10 20 30 January: 23.5 rideable days J February: 21 rideable days F March: 20 rideable days M April: 21 rideable days A May: 9 rideable days M June: 8 rideable days J July: 6.5 rideable days6.5 d J August: 7 rideable days A September: 18 rideable days S October: 21.5 rideable days O November: 25.5 rideable days25.5 d N December: 23 rideable days D 0 10 20 30 January: 23.5 rideable days J February: 21 rideable days F March: 20 rideable days M April: 21 rideable days A May: 9 rideable days M June: 8 rideable days J July: 6.5 rideable days6.5 d J August: 7 rideable days A September: 18 rideable days S October: 21.5 rideable days O November: 25.5 rideable days25.5 d N December: 23 rideable days D

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 41%13-20 knots · 50%21-30 knots · 9%31+ knots · under 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 13 and 20 knots — 50% 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 179 mm.

Monthly averages: Hout Bay Beach
Monthly averages — Hout Bay Beach — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month Rideable days Usable wind Temperature Rain
January 23.5 262 h 24 °C 11 mm
February 21.0 254 h 24 °C 8 mm
March 20.0 234 h 23 °C 21 mm
April 21.0 198 h 21 °C 73 mm
May 9.0 75 h 19 °C 38 mm
June 8.0 66 h 17 °C 89 mm
July 6.5 57 h 15 °C 179 mm
August 7.0 49 h 16 °C 92 mm
September 18.0 190 h 18 °C 22 mm
October 21.5 238 h 21 °C 19 mm
November 25.5 366 h 22 °C 10 mm
December 23.0 308 h 23 °C 25 mm

Photo gallery of Hout Bay Beach

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Technical details of Hout Bay Beach 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 from October to March with the Cape Doctor. The offshore wind creates a smooth water surface but requires experience. Best conditions when the wind turns south (S to SSW), becoming side-onshore. The bay offers reduced swell compared to the open coast. All tides.

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

Cold Atlantic water (12-16°C), 4/3 or 5/3 wetsuit. Moderate waves (0.5-1.5 m) thanks to the bay protection. Sandy bottom. Kelp. The water surface is smoother than on exposed beaches.

Parking

Large free parking lot at Hout Bay Beach, directly beachfront. Restaurants and shops nearby. Watch for theft — don't leave anything visible in the car. Public toilets available.

Wind specificities

South-easterly Cape Doctor offshore to side-offshore. The wind passes over Chapman's Peak and can be accelerated and turbulent. Strength of 15 to 35 knots from October to March. Conditions are technical as the wind pushes offshore. When the wind turns south, conditions become side-onshore and more favorable.

Hazards

Offshore wind that can push out to sea. Cold water. Kelp. Seals in the bay (attract sharks). Currents at the bay entrance. Frequent theft in cars and on the beach.

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