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Glencairn Reef 85.8
#1303 of 5753 surf spots in the world · 🇿🇦 South Africa · Western Cape · near Cape Town
Works almost every day, no off season.
Works all yearAdvanced
Surf score85.8 /100
Surfable days99% of the year
Clean days29% groundswell + friendly wind
Groundswell68% period 11 s+
Typical size2.0 m 6.5 ft median
Water17°C a 3/2 wetsuit
Best time to surf Glencairn Reef
The best time to surf Glencairn Reef is May, July, August. The season runs May to Aug. In May the water sits around 16°C, so pack a 3/2 wetsuit, and the typical wave is 2.0 m. The nearest airport is CPT (26 km) and the nearest town is Cape Town (27 km).
| Month | Surfable | Clean | Size | Water | Suit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 100% | 13% | 2.0 m | 19°C | 2mm |
| Feb | 100% | 16% | 2.0 m | 18°C | 3/2 |
| Mar | 100% | 27% | 1.9 m | 18°C | 3/2 |
| Apr | 100% | 20% | 2.0 m | 18°C | 3/2 |
| May | 99% | 63% | 2.0 m | 16°C | 3/2 |
| Jun | 98% | 40% | 2.0 m | 15°C | 4/3 |
| Jul | 97% | 46% | 2.0 m | 15°C | 4/3 |
| Aug | 98% | 49% | 2.2 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| Sep | 99% | 30% | 2.0 m | 15°C | 4/3 |
| Oct | 99% | 25% | 2.0 m | 16°C | 4/3 |
| Nov | 99% | 23% | 1.9 m | 16°C | 3/2 |
| Dec | 100% | 14% | 1.9 m | 18°C | 3/2 |
Why 85.8
Seven parts, each normalised 0 to 1 and weighted; the sum is scaled so the best spot in the world is 100.
Consistency 26%
26.0
Clean days 24%
17.4
Groundswell 12%
12.0
Season spread 10%
10.0
Wave size 8%
6.3
Water comfort 10%
2.6
Access 10%
9.4
The detail
Faces 90° with 31% open water around it. Friendly morning wind 43% of days. Mean peak period 11.7 s. Days over 3 m: 7%. Mellow days (0.4 to 1.2 m): 5%. Months that work: 12 of 12. Coordinates -34.158, 18.436 (OpenStreetMap).
Spots nearby
Clovelly Wedge🇿🇦 South Africa · score 88.3Clovelly🇿🇦 South Africa · score 88.3Kalk Bay Reef🇿🇦 South Africa · score 88.7Pitzmah (clazo's Ledge)🇿🇦 South Africa · score 90.5
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