Surf Travel Blog

Ocean Pollution As surfers and people who spend a lot of our time in the ocean, it’s particularly sad for us to see the effects of ocean pollution on global waters. It’s been a problem for as long as I can remember. It’s something we’ve been warned about. It is something we sort-of kind-of learnt...Read More

A Surf Trip To Skeleton Bay, Namibia A favourite destination for Saffa Surf Tours, Skeleton Bay, Namibia (also known as Donkey Bay) can be referred to as the diamond of the desert. When this natural phenomenon occurs, it’s easily rated the best wave in the world.  The longest sand-bottomed left known, Skeleton Bay first came...Read More

Here’s why the West Coast is my favourite surf trip. Over the past few years, I’ve been fortunate enough to do a decent amount of surf travelling. I’ve encountered some incredible places, waves, scenery and people. I’ve learnt a lot in the process, and developed a whole new appreciation for my home country, South Africa....Read More

Understanding South Africa Visa Requirements You’ve decided to take the plunge and book your flights to South Africa for the ultimate surf trip off the beaten path. Good on you! You’re in for one heck of a good time. Before you board the plane, though, make sure you know whether you meet the visa requirements...Read More

A Comfortable & Waterproof Surf Travel Backpack. So you’re on a boat in the middle of nowhere, making your way to the wave of your dreams. It’s the wave your mates have raved about, and you’re finally going to surf it.  But, instead of focusing on the pumping wave ahead of you, you find yourself...Read More

Surf Yoga, a Match made in Heaven Surf Yoga retreats are taking the world by storm and have grown into booming businesses from Bali to Costa Rica, Morocco, Portugal, Sri Lanka and…. you guessed it, South Africa! Surfers are increasingly turning to yoga as an additional pastime, which has resulted in the complete integration of...Read More

The Best Surf Trips Off The Beaten Path Tired of Crowds? Your local beach is becoming more crowded than ever before, with grommies inside every wave, paddling circles around you. Sound familiar? Your day-dreaming mind wonders to a completely uncrowded surf spot with just you and a couple of your mates out, scoring endless pits...Read More

5 Cold Water Surfing Tips A little cold is no excuse to skip a thick swell with pumping offshores. So, harden up and try these tips for making cold water surfing more enjoyable.Read More

These days Skeleton Bay doesn’t require a formal introduction any more. Most wave riders that love getting barrelled are familiar with this wave and what it can do. You have seen the videos of Koa Smith screaming like he is loosing his mind after spending a good half minute in the pit. There are plenty...Read More

Image credit: Parley Ocean School Hout Bay, Cape Town, South Africa, 14 December 2020: Sentinel Ocean Alliance founded by Frank Solomon in 2017 to create ocean-based opportunities and environmental education for the youth of South Africa, is pleased to announce the partnership with Parley for the Oceans for the opening of a new Parley Ocean...Read More

South African Holidays 7 Reasons not to Visit South Africa Thinking of planning a trip to South Africa? Be sure to read our top 7 reasons why you definitely shouldn’t! 1. You’ll realise how expensive your home country is.  Our weak currency means a helluva good time for visitors. Ask any local about our former...Read More

Surf vacations are an excellent way to break up the monotony of day-to-day life and surf some of the most beautiful waves in the world. But before you start booking your surf vacation package, there are a few things that you should consider first. If you want to have the best surf vacation possible, it...Read More

Photo Credit: Douw Steyn JEFFREY’S BAY, SOUTH AFRICA is one of the world’s most famous surf spots. Jeffrey’s Bay is host to the annual World Surf League’s “JBay Open” at SuperTubes Beach and has been ranked the #2 surf destination in the world. A SuperTube breaks for over 300 meters, making it regarded as “the...Read More

Homemade Granola Recipe Crunchy, 5 Ingredient Homemade Granola We were lucky enough to taste some incredible food on a recent surf trip to Indonesia. Something that stood out for me was a super crunchy, toasty granola with the perfect combination of sweet & savoury. We bought as many bags of that delicious granola that we...Read More

There are plenty of different shapes and sizes when it comes to surfboards, some are big and bulky with only one fin, and others are tiny with sharp edges and 5 fins. Why are there so many different shapes? How do you know when to use what board? When you’re starting your surfing journey, this...Read More

Surfing in South Africa : There’s no denying it – Africa offers some of the best surf spots in the world. The Best Places to Surf in South Africa South Africa Surf Tours is based in the Western Cape region of South Africa. Our privately guided surf trips extend all along the African coast from...Read More

Surfing History of South Africa Ever wondered about the history of surfing in South Africa? It’s got to be an interesting story, right? Right! Saffas have been pushing surfing boundaries since 1910, and continue to impact the international surfing scene today. Our team put together a quick glimpse down memory lane to see how the...Read More

Surfari – The Ultimate Surf Trip You may have heard the term ‘surfari’ come up in conversation recently. ‘The surfaris‘ where a famous American rock band formed in California is 1962. The latest definition of surfaris, however, will be a little harder to find in Cali. In fact, Californian surfers are flocking to all over...Read More

There is a lot of speculation in the surf society today about the pros and cons of surfing wooden surfboards, compared with the more popular and standard foam boards. I believe that, where there is any stigma about wooden surfboards, it tends to come from people who have never ridden one. Hence, they don’t feel...Read More

Surf Workout: It’s all about Mobility and Balance. So, your new years resolution was to focus on your fitness, and improve your surfing. Now, it’s nearing the middle of the year, and you’re on struggle street every time you head out to surf. Surfing is fun, it’s incredibly fun- and even more so when your...Read More

Almond & Peanut Butter Smoothie Recipe There’s nothing better than an ice cold, energy packed smoothie before a big surf.  This banana, almond milk and peanut butter smoothie is our go-to for a quick pre-surf morning treat. It’s packed with protein and natural sources of energy, and tastes amazing too. Smoothie Ingredients (Serves 2- or...Read More

The Mother City – Cape Town, is still a Banging place to visit. Cape Town has been getting some seriously bad publicity lately due to the water crisis .It’s true, flushing the toilet is kind of a big deal in Cape Town, and showering is more of a race against time than a leisurely activity,...Read More

Why Cape Town, South Africa is the Ultimate Learn to Surf Destination It’s 2020, and if you still haven’t learn to surf. It’s high time you learnt something new, don’t you think? Surfing is one of those sports that are challenging but at the same time, the most fun.  Surfing is not just a fun...Read More

Best Couples Holidays Why Every Couple Should Visit South Africa There’s no doubt that Cape Town, South Africa is a watersport and action-adventure paradise. It can also be the ideal destination for couples holidays. Are you looking for the perfect place to take your other half for a romantic getaway (with a couple of banging...Read More

Where have all of the Great White Sharks gone? As a surf guide, one of the add-on activities we offer our guests is shark cage diving in Gaansbaai, South Africa. It’s an epic experience that allows our visitors to learn about marine sustainability & conservation, while getting up-close and personal with one of the world’s...Read More

Solo Travel with a Difference. A New Approach to Solo Travel in South Africa. Overberg, Western Cape, May 2018: The South Africa Surf Tours team completed their 12-day guided surf and adventure trip with female Swiss solo traveller, Yuki, last week. When Yuki returned home from her fully-guided adventure trip in South Africa, she had...Read More

Been a while since your last surf trip? If so, you may be wondering where to spend your next holiday or vacation. For those looking for a beautiful holiday destination, in addition to a stunningly gorgeous location, you should definitely consider Jeffrey’s Bay! Jeffrey’s Bay (also lovingly known as J-Bay), is situated in South Africa’s...Read More

Surf Guide South Africa Three Reasons to use a Surf Guide in South Africa What is a surf guide? When you hear the words ‘surf guide‘, your mind might jump to a magazine-style publication that tells you everything you need to know about a surf destination, helping you discover new areas with confidence. That’s one...Read More

Our Favourite Surf Forecast Websites Gone are the days when surfing enthusiasts had to inquire about surf forecasts on the telephone. Today, thanks to the advent of technology and the internet, learning about surfing conditions has become a breeze; courtesy of surf forecast websites available on the web. There are a plethora of sweet surf...Read More

Our local resident surf guide, Ruan de Bruin (or Ru for short), explains why South Africa is the ultimate surfing destination for your next surf trip as an intermediate surfer.Read More