World › South Africa › Western Cape › Grotto Bay
Grotto Bay 82.4
#1651 of 5753 surf spots in the world · 🇿🇦 South Africa · Western Cape · near Cape Town
Works almost every day, no off season, real size comes through.
Works all yearBig waveAdvanced
Surf score82.4 /100
Surfable days97% of the year
Clean days27% groundswell + friendly wind
Groundswell73% period 11 s+
Typical size2.2 m 7.3 ft median
Water14°C a 4/3 with boots
Best time to surf Grotto Bay
The best time to surf Grotto Bay is May, July, August. The season runs May to May. In May the water sits around 14°C, so pack a 4/3 with boots, and the typical wave is 2.3 m. The nearest airport is CPT (58 km) and the nearest town is Cape Town (48 km).
| Month | Surfable | Clean | Size | Water | Suit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 99% | 12% | 2.1 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| Feb | 100% | 12% | 2.0 m | 15°C | 4/3 |
| Mar | 99% | 26% | 2.0 m | 16°C | 4/3 |
| Apr | 100% | 34% | 2.1 m | 15°C | 4/3 |
| May | 99% | 50% | 2.3 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| Jun | 91% | 37% | 2.5 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| Jul | 90% | 39% | 2.7 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| Aug | 94% | 42% | 2.6 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| Sep | 98% | 24% | 2.3 m | 13°C | 4/3 |
| Oct | 99% | 24% | 2.3 m | 13°C | 4/3 |
| Nov | 100% | 12% | 2.1 m | 12°C | 5/4 |
| Dec | 100% | 22% | 2.1 m | 13°C | 4/3 |
Why 82.4
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%
16.1
Groundswell 12%
12.0
Season spread 10%
10.0
Wave size 8%
7.2
Water comfort 10%
0.7
Access 10%
8.2
The detail
Faces 260° with 42% open water around it. Friendly morning wind 37% of days. Mean peak period 12.0 s. Days over 3 m: 14%. Mellow days (0.4 to 1.2 m): 2%. Months that work: 12 of 12. Coordinates -33.500, 18.312 (OpenStreetMap).
Spots nearby
Gas Chambers🇿🇦 South Africa · score 85.411th Ave Melkbos Strand🇿🇦 South Africa · score 91.616 MILE BEACH🇿🇦 South Africa · score 85.2Slabberts🇿🇦 South Africa · score 92.9
Compare Grotto Bay with 5,700 other spots
Filters by month, level and water, map, side by side comparison and a trip planner.
Open the interactive profileMore spots good in MayFilters by month, level and water, map, side by side comparison and a trip planner.