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Sandcastles 85.7
#1321 of 5753 surf spots in the world · 🇿🇦 South Africa · Eastern Cape · near Port Alfred
Works almost every day, no off season.
Works all yearAdvanced
Surf score85.7 /100
Surfable days98% of the year
Clean days31% groundswell + friendly wind
Groundswell54% period 11 s+
Typical size2.1 m 7.1 ft median
Water22°C a 2 mm shorty
Best time to surf Sandcastles
The best time to surf Sandcastles is May, June, July. The season runs May to Aug. In May the water sits around 23°C, so pack a rash vest or 2 mm, and the typical wave is 2.0 m. The nearest airport is PLZ (177 km) and the nearest town is Port Alfred (53 km).
| Month | Surfable | Clean | Size | Water | Suit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 100% | 20% | 2.0 m | 23°C | vest |
| Feb | 100% | 13% | 2.0 m | 24°C | vest |
| Mar | 100% | 17% | 2.0 m | 24°C | vest |
| Apr | 100% | 34% | 2.2 m | 23°C | vest |
| May | 99% | 69% | 2.0 m | 23°C | vest |
| Jun | 97% | 67% | 2.2 m | 21°C | 2mm |
| Jul | 94% | 59% | 2.2 m | 20°C | 2mm |
| Aug | 95% | 48% | 2.5 m | 20°C | 2mm |
| Sep | 98% | 24% | 2.3 m | 20°C | 2mm |
| Oct | 99% | 19% | 2.3 m | 20°C | 2mm |
| Nov | 100% | 12% | 2.1 m | 21°C | 2mm |
| Dec | 100% | 16% | 2.0 m | 22°C | 2mm |
Why 85.7
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%
18.3
Groundswell 12%
10.8
Season spread 10%
10.0
Wave size 8%
6.9
Water comfort 10%
6.3
Access 10%
5.3
The detail
Faces 145° with 50% open water around it. Friendly morning wind 57% of days. Mean peak period 11.2 s. Days over 3 m: 11%. Mellow days (0.4 to 1.2 m): 0%. Months that work: 12 of 12. Coordinates -33.360, 27.370 (OpenStreetMap).
Spots nearby
Port Alfred🇿🇦 South Africa · score 87.6Nahoon Reef🇿🇦 South Africa · score 80.1Nahoon Beach Break🇿🇦 South Africa · score 79.9Bonza Bay🇿🇦 South Africa · score 79.8
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