Located on the Cape Peninsula, South Africa, Thermopylae is a good left-hand reef break that works on a big to massive swell only, allowing the waves to wrap and explode with powerful sections down the line. The waves here are challenging to surf and break for up to 200 meters (656 feet) over a rocky reef. This spot is about half the size of the exposed breaks, but don’t be fooled; the currents will still be very heavy. Takeoff is just inside of a shipwreck and tends to be quite critical.
What are the best surf conditions for Thermopylae?
Thermopylae gets good between chest high (1.2 meters / 4 feet) and double overhead (3.7 meters / 12 feet). We recommend riding a shortboard then a step up as the size picks up. This break is good for intermediate and advanced-level surfers. The surf here does not break often (3/10) and will get busy at peak times (5/10). The best winds are from the Southeast. The best swells are from the Southwest. Works best on a mid to high tide.
We recommend wearing a 3/2 in the summer when water temperatures rise to 19 degrees Celsius (66°F). In winter, a 4/3 is best when temps drop to 15 degrees Celsius (59°F). See the temperature chart below for more data on this.
