The best surf holidays can be found along KwaZulu-Natal’s north coast with Umdloti being a surfer’s paradise and. Home to a humble community, here you will find local surfers who are more than welcoming to visitors from all over the world.

Surf All Day..

 Surf Motel is slapbang in the middle of the 5km stretch of beach made up of sandbars, reef and a right hand point catering for all levels of surfers. Added to this perfect location is the warm Indian Ocean on our door step  -literally!

For the more advanced surfers, Umdloti has a bomber right-hand point break along with sandbanks and, if you feel like exploring, there are also other endless surf break options along the KwaZulu-Natal north coast.  Ballito is just a 20-minute drive north of Umdloti, Meandering along KZN’s coastal road,  you will be met with variety – you’ll be spoilt for choice!

Take a 25-minute drive south of Umdloti Beach and you will find yourself along the shores of Durban’s Golden Mile beaches (the former home to the Gunston 500 and Ballito Pro WQS surfing contest). Durban has the perfect conditions for those wanting to learn to surf with great surf schools and coffee shops to accommodate everyone, including families.

Surf Motel can arrange surf lessons with our partner surf school on the Durban Golden Mile, check out our page to make a booking!

WHEN TO SURF

The best time of the year for surfing is during winter (March-September). Umdloti has great offshore conditions nearly every day as well as the warmest winter water in South African! Winter in Durban are typically wind and cloudless days making for glass like conditions all day! Winter is also when we get most the most swell in the year. When surfing the KwaZulu-Natal north coast during the colder months, you’ll get away with a 1-2mm mm wetsuit for early Mornings, but if you intend on heading down south to Jeffery’s Bay (home to the J-Bay Open – a WSL event), then we would recommend a thicker suit.

South Africa cops plenty of swells from Antarctic lows and is surrounded by the ocean on three sides (all but the north). It’s 3000 KM coastline has a 270-degree swell exposure – and we all know what that means – waves, waves, waves! To add, this coastline is swept by two major ocean currents; the warm south-flowing Mozambique-Agulhas Current and the cold Benguela. Every coastline is pounded by surf throughout the year.

Generally speaking, April, May, June and July are the best months for both waves and weather conditions. At this time, KwaZulu-Natal’s summer rain will have ended while winter temperatures haven’t kicked in just yet, remembering Durban’s winter weather is the best and warmest in the entire country!

March through to September definitely sees the best surf. The “Roaring Forties” will provide all the swell you are going to need. During these months, the surf can be anywhere in the 3 -15ft range, but there are spots that will hold much bigger. At this time of the year, you can almost be guaranteed offshore conditions every morning.

THE BOTTOM LINE…

South Africa, and especially Durban, has bread some great surfing icons including former world champ Shaun Thompson and current world champ contender Jordy Smith to name but a few. Producing world-class surfers says a lot about KwaZulu Natal ‘s wave setup on the entire coast, North and south..

Are you ready to treat yourself to one of South Africa’s best family surf vacations?

To book some lessons while you stay at Surf Motel, simply email info@surfmotel.africa and we will arrange for you to meet with our partner Kiteboarding school.