SOUTH AFRICA SURF TRIPS
Good conditions and a free morning rarely line up twice. These 15 south africa surf trips justify the slot, priced and timed so you can decide quickly and get back in the water.
Spend an hour on a stand-up paddleboard in the protected canals of Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront. Your English-speaking instructor gives a short lesson, then helps you paddle at your own pace. The calm water suits first-timers, families, and anyone wanting a fresh view of the city.
“What an awesome experience out on the canals! 10/10 recommend!”
Walk through Cullinan Diamond Mine with an English-speaking guide, visiting the diamond display room, shaft, Big Hole, and shop. You will learn how diamonds move from ore to sale, though the route mainly covers older surface areas rather than the active new plant.
“Tres intéressant! Guide très agréable et documentée, en plus d’une grande gentillesse!”
Meet Surf Emporium at Muizenberg’s Surfers Corner for a 90-minute private lesson with a coach such as Christopher, Reggie, or Justin. Your session is matched to your level, from first-timer to advanced, with a board, wetsuit, lockers, and warm showers provided.
“First timers and we had a great time with David as the instructor, we even went back the following day. Highly recommend.”
Let Stoked Surf School choose Cape Town’s best beach for the day, then learn with a private coach during a 1.5-hour lesson. Pickup, return transport, wetsuit, board, leash, wax, changing towel, and photos are included. Coaches such as Sam and Michelle add local insight along the way.
“Our first time surfing & all 4 of us had so much fun Would definitely recommend Stoked Surf School, our instructor Sam was great & Michelle gave us so much local knowledge on the drive Also the sea was warm even though it was May!”
Spend two hours learning to surf at Jeffreys Bay’s oldest surf school with a private English-speaking coach. You’ll practice on the beach and in waist-deep water, use a board and wetsuit, and work toward standing on your first wave. Coach Ernie has helped beginners reach that goal.
“Heel leuke eerste surfervaring! Onze begeleider Ernie heeft ervoor gezorgd dat we tegen het einde konden rechtstaan. Goede tips van hem, leuke sfeer! Een echte aanrader! Bedankt Ernie”
Meet your English-speaking coach at Lifestyle Surf Shop for a private or group surf lesson at Muizenberg Beach. You’ll learn ocean safety, popping up, paddling, and wave choice, then practice with hands-on guidance. Tammy and Alphonso have helped first-timers catch waves in their first lesson.
“This was our first time surfing and it was amazing. Tammy was a very good instructor with a lot of positive energy. She gave good instruction’s which made us learn the basics and hit the waves in the very first lesion. We highly recommend Tammy and will definitely come back again.”
Meet at Jeffrey's Bay Surf School for a beginner lesson led by coaches such as Lorenzo or Angelo. You will learn on the beach, practice in waist-deep water, then return to the waves to paddle, stand, and ride. Boards, wetsuits, changing rooms, and storage are included.
“It was a nice activity, the trainers were friendly and learned our the basic skills.”
Meet Wavecrest Surf School on Ferreira Street for a two-hour beginner lesson at Jeffreys Bay. An instructor teaches water safety and basic surfing, stays with you in the water, and provides the board and wetsuit. Groups are capped at 10 people.
“This was an amazing experience. Will definitely recommend it! We took our kids between 5 and 10 and they loved it. Going back tomorrow!”
Spend a full day seeing Pretoria’s key sights and the Cullinan Diamond Mine from a climate-controlled vehicle. Your guide, such as Pastor or Kgoagelo Mogotlane, handles the driving and historical background while you visit the Voortrekker Monument, Union Buildings, Church Square, Paul Kruger House, Melrose House, and central Pretoria.
“Great tour with quite a bit of history. Nice clean car, wi-fi and bottled water. Our guide, Pastor, did a fantastic job - very knowledgeable and easy to chat with - gave us terrific background on all the places we visited.”
Travel from Pretoria to Cullinan in a small group of up to 15 people for a guided surface tour of the famous diamond mine. You’ll see the huge open pit, kimberlite rocks, hoist room, and mine equipment, then visit the Voortrekker Monument and explore Cullinan town. Pastor may guide your day.
“It was a very nice and interesting tour. You get an idea how difficult it is to get the diamonds out of the earth and the techniques are impressive.”
Spend 75 minutes learning to surf at Victoria Bay near Wilderness with Surfends instructors such as Martyn and Dylan. You’ll cover water safety, waves, pop-ups, and board skills before practicing in the bay with a provided wetsuit and surfboard. Groups are limited to eight.
“Disappointing experience with this company. They somehow hadn’t seen the booking come through which we made almost a week prior.”
Meet Surf Life Surf School at Eden on the Bay for a 90-minute open-group lesson at Big Bay. You’ll work on the pop-up, wave reading, paddling, steering, and surf safety with an English- or Afrikaans-speaking instructor. Cornel is among the instructors praised for patient, encouraging coaching.
“We had great fun and the instructions given was excellent, they really know how to teach. The waves on the spot were very good. 1.5hours was long enough for us as we were a bit exhausted from all the waves.”
Meet your English-speaking instructor on Plettenberg Bay beach for a two-hour beginner lesson with a wetsuit and board included. Learn ocean safety, paddling, balance, and wave riding in a small group. Conditions can change, and the session may become kayaking if surfing is not safe.
“2 hours of super interesting and fun discovery. An instructor who explains very well on the sand and who, once in the water, helps you take your first waves. Groups of 5 make the session enjoyable. In addition, the cold is not a problem since the wetsuits are suitable. I recommend it. 👍🏼”
Meet Atlantic Surf School at 2 Coral Road in Table View for a 1.5 to 2-hour lesson shaped around your ability. Beginners learn timing, technique, and wave safety, while stronger surfers work on positioning. Boards and wetsuits are included.
“Amazing lesson and patient coaches who take their time explaining everything and make sure your safety is a priority!”
Spend two hours learning to surf at Dolphin Beach, a few kilometres from Jeffreys Bay’s famous Supertubes. Your English-speaking instructor covers 20 minutes of theory, then helps you practice paddling, standing, and catching waves. Boards and wetsuits are included, with groups capped at eight.
“instructor Lungani was great. I never surfed before only skateboarded and I was riding a few waves within minutes. instructions were clear and conscise. would definitely go back only thing is surfing is very tiring so be prepared”
Keep browsing
Pick a lesson, a paddle day or a coastline.
