Last updated on October 27th, 2023 at 03:28 pm
If you are looking for a surf camp in South Africa, you came to the right place. In this post, you will find our top choices for a surf camp in South Africa, where you can learn some new surfing skills and have some fun along the way.
* Honest disclaimer- Reef Break is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you.
When choosing a surf camp in South Africa, there are several key factors to consider. For instance, the level of accommodation, transportation, location, and budget are obviously critical, but not as much as the experience of the surf guides and their coaching tools. Moreover, your current surf level, your goals, and the kind of people you will meet are also crucial in order to make the best out of your surf journey.
So let’s get right to it, in detail; these are the most recommended surf camps in South Africa:
Surf Lodge South Africa
Surf Lodge South Africa is situated in one of the best surf spots in the country, Jeffreys Bay. In fact, this right-hand point break is considered one of the best waves in the world and hosts international surf competitions yearly.
With a great selection of accommodations, from a dormitory to a honeymoon suite, this surf camp offers a variety of surf courses. The program suits all levels, from the basics of surfing for those who wish to learn for the first time to advanced coaching for intermediate surfers. Additionally, at Surf Lodge South Africa, you can book safari tours, horse riding, and hiking trails. You will also find an on-site yoga facility and great people to hang out with.
For more details about surf camps in Jeffreys Bay, please click here.
Ticket to Ride
Ticket to Ride operates its surf camps in South Africa as well as in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and other countries around the world. The surf coaching here is designed specifically for your current skill level and customized for each individual separately. From total beginners to advanced surfers who want to improve their down-the-line speed or cutbacks, you’ve got it covered. With photo and video analysis and top daily coaching in consistent waves, you’ll soon take your surfing to the next level.
The surf program includes the following:
Airport transfers.
Daily surf coaching.
Video and photo analysis.
Transfers to the surf breaks.
Involvement in local community initiatives.
Accommodation in beachside surf camp.
Full support pre-departure.
Surfboard and wetsuit rentals.
For more details about surf camps in South Africa, please click here.
Umzumbe Surf Camp
Umzumbe, also known as Stebel Rocks, is a right-hand point break that is suitable for surfers of all experience levels. Umzumbe Surf House has operated since 2013 and offers surf lessons, board rentals for the non-experienced, and surf guiding for the experienced ones. All lessons include 1 hour of instruction, equipment, and are available 7 days a week upon request.
The lessons will be designed to fit your needs, and the one-on-one attention will ensure you reach or exceed your goals.
All students are fitted with a wetsuit and surfboard and receive one-on-one instruction from a professional coach.
Your coach will work with you on the mechanics and timing of the waves, as well as teach you the skills to enjoy riding them. If you have surfed a few times before, this class will help refine your techniques and develop a foundation for more advanced maneuvers. If you’ve never surfed before, this is your opportunity to experience the rush. The main focus will be on balance, strength, safety, etiquette, paddling, standing up, turning, and riding down the line.
For more details about South African surf camps, please click here.
Another Surf Camp
Another Surf Camp is a leading surf camp in South Africa as well as in Portugal. It is located in Cape Town, an incredible surf town with various waves for all skill levels. The camp offers accommodation for 12 surfers in five stunning luxury units. Each unit has either a pool or ocean view.
While staying at this property, you will have access to the following surf spots:
Llandudno Beach is a 5-minute drive.
The big wave spot “Dungeons” is a short boat ride away.
Noordhoek (Long Beach) is a 20-minute car ride.
Kommetjie is a 30-minute car ride.
Muizenberg is a great beginner and intermediate beach break, a 30-minute car ride away.
Additionally, Another Surf Camp organizes road trips to Jeffreys Bay and Kite Surf getaways in Langebaan.
For more details about surf camps in Cape Town, please click here.
Pumula Surf Camp Durban
This is a young local family camp, situated in the peaceful seaside village of Pumula, One hour drive south from Durban on the south coast of KZN, South Africa. The camp offers surf lessons to all levels, from beginner to advanced, board rentals, and guided surf trips to give you the best surfing experience on the South Coast. In addition, there are daily yoga classes out on the yoga deck, as well as healthy meals, all in an eco-conscious environment.
Pumula camp caters to beginners, intermediate, and advanced surfers wanting to get a better understanding of the ocean, get more enjoyment out of surfing, and improve their surfing skills.
During your stay here, the qualified instructors spend about 1.5 – 2 hours every day with you in theory and practical classes, consisting of stretching, safety and ocean awareness, surfing etiquette, equipment care, paddling, and catching waves, with all surfing equipment provided.
For more details about Durban surf camps, please click here.
Surf Emporium, Cape Town
Surf Emporium, situated on the Muizenberg beachfront in Cape Town, offers an accredited Surf and SUP school, high-quality equipment rental, and a retailer of leading surf and SUP brands. Designed by internationally qualified ISA surf coach and 9 x South African champion Roxy Davis, this successful program offers structured weekly lessons to help you learn and improve your current surfing level. It includes a weekly group lesson, equipment hire, and use of all the facilities.
For more information about surf camps in Cape Town, please click here.
African Soul Surfer
African Soul Surfer is situated right on the beach at Surfer’s Corner in Muizenberg, Cape Town. This spot has mellow waves all year long. Therefore, it is perfect for beginner to intermediate surfers and excellent for advanced longboarding as well.
Luckily, the water inside the bay is much warmer than the surf spots on the Atlantic Coast, and the atmosphere in the water is generally friendly and easy-going. With sand-bottom waves that break for up to 200 meters long, it is an ideal setup to improve your surfing.
African Soul Surfer offers guided surf lessons to get you started, board & wetsuit rentals, and surf camp packages that include accommodation and daily breakfast.
For more details about surf camps in Muizenberg Cape Town, please click here.
Africa Surf School, Cape Town
Africa Surf School is probably the closest surf hostel to the beach in Cape Town. In fact, it is situated only 50 meters away from the shore. It has backpacker dorm options, private rooms, and even private apartments with ocean views. The camp offers world-class surf coaching with professional, ISA-certified surf instructors. From beginner to advanced lessons, the instructors can get you shredding from your first wave to more advanced wave riding techniques. In addition, you can book other tours and adventures around the country.
For more details about the best surf camps in the area, please click here.
Go Surf, J Bay
With over 20 years of experience in the surf and tourism industry, Go Surf provides you with a customized and professional service by a dedicated and highly qualified team.
For groups of friends, families, students, schools, associations, businesses, or even surf clubs, this dedicated team of professionals will do their best to meet your needs and put together the best trip for you.
The surf program includes the following:
7 nights in a double or triple room with a private bathroom.
Pickup and drop off from Port Elizabeth airport to J-Bay.
Daily breakfast.
5 days with surf coaching, including transportation to/from the surf spot.
Entrance and safari to Addo Elephant Park.
1 day with Surfari- A guided surf trip to several different surf spots in the area.
Trip to the world’s highest Bungee jump.
1 night with a Braii. A traditional South African barbeque with steak, kudu, ostrich, brewers, and more.
There is a huge selection of boards to take out and wetsuit the whole stay.
For more information about Jeffreys Bay surf camps, please click here.
Coffee Shack
Coffee Shack is one of the coolest backpacker hostels in South Africa, and it is also a great surf school. In fact, the owner, Dave, was a Pro-AM World title holder and still continues to surf competitively. Coffee Bay has pristine beaches that cater to all levels of surfing. The Indian Ocean consistently provides warm, blue subtropical conditions with a pleasant average water temperature of 20.5C/69F. Coffee Bay’s main surf beach consists of a point and beach break. Coffee Bay Point usually offers a gentle and smooth ride right-hand wave, which is ideal for beginners looking to catch their first green wave. Coffee Bay beach break can be more variable, with waves suited for all skill levels. If you are in luck, you can occasionally score waves in Bomvu Bay, situated directly in front of Coffee Shack. However, this wave is for experienced surfers only as it breaks over a shallow reef. Coffee Bay enjoys consistent waves, and it is rare to find a day without a wave to be surfed.
Coffee Bay Beach is a perfect spot to learn surfing or improve your surfing technique and skills.
For details about all the best surf camps in South Africa, please click here.
Cape Town Surfing
Operated since 2001, this is one of the oldest and most qualified surf schools in the area. It is a fully registered, insured surf school based in Hout Bay, which is one of the beast surf spots in Cape Town. The camp offers top professional surf and SUP lessons, tours across Cape Town with SA top qualified instructors (ISA & SSA Level 1|2), and also provides top-of-the-range core surf, SUP, and skate equipment.
As for the surf program, this camp offers a great variety of options for all levels and all ages.
For more details about camps, retreats, and hotels in the area, please click here.
To sum up, these are the top surf camps in South Africa. Honestly, it doesn’t really matter which one of them you choose, as they are all great and offer pretty much the same thing. What is most important, however, is your attitude toward the experience. If you come with an open mind and ready to learn, practice, and make the best out of it, you can improve your surfing skills drastically, meet new friends, and simply enjoy the adventure.
And remember, if surf camps are not your cup of tea, you can simply book a nice hotel in front of the waves and enjoy a good surf vacation at your own pace. Check out the best hotel deals on Booking.com.
Before you go, don’t forget to check out our post about the best beginner surf beaches in South Africa, or the one about surf resorts in South Africa.
