Muizenberg Beach - Cape Town / Western Cape / South Africa

Just around the corner from the now-infamous False Bay (where shark sightings are more or less a weekly occurence nowadays), is situated what is possibly the most beginner-friendly surf spot you could hope to find in Cape Town. The sleepy, bohemian town of Muizenberg is home to the kind of gently rolling breakers which make learning to surf a pleasure.

And you will be able to take solace in the fact that the submarine-sized great whites in the area will have hundreds of other eager beaver learners to choose from instead of you for their lunch time drive-thru snack.

Being on the east coast of Cape Town, the water is warmer than that of the beaches on the west coast, but you will still need your wetsuit for some insulation from the cold - yes, it's still pretty chilly.

Muizenberg Beach begins at Surfer's Corner, where the rocks jut out into the sea, and extends hundreds of windswept metres along towards Strandfontein. It is populated by dog walkers, families and more than a handful of learner surfers, as well as kite surfers a little further on down the drag.

In the area you'll find a few coffee shops, not to mention two surf shops that have been there since the dawn of time - The Corner Surf Shop situated on the Main Rd, and Lifestyle Surf Shop, a stone's throw away from the beach. They'll be able to sort you out no matter what you may need.

Also, there are no fewer than 3 surf schools which call Muizenberg home - Learn 2 Surf, Surf Shack Surf School and Gary's Surf School. If you need someone to show you the ropes, you'll be spoilt for choice here!

The wave itself is a more gentle one given that it's beachward path through the Indian Ocean is dramatically slowed by a very gradually sloping shelf. It's quite a paddle out to backline when the waves are good, but if you're learning, there is an inside section close to the beach which will suit you just fine.

The wave is very well suited to longboarders and you'll find hordes of them here on any given day. The offshore wind for Muizenberg is a North Wester, which means that winter is the best time of year - it also means that you'll be surfing in miserable, cold weather most of the time if you want the better waves.

Here there's normally plenty of parking unless the waves are really good and word gets out. Safety for your car is not really an issue, it's generally fairly safe at Muizenberg.

If you happen to be traveling from somewhere else in Cape Town and you don't have a car, don't fret, Muizies is on the train line. There are showers for after your surf too, as well as internet cafes just across the road.

Muizenberg is not a particularly perilous beach, but there are two main dangers to watch for, one from above, the other from below. The first danger is Flying Surfboard Projectiles - people are learning here folks, give them a wide berth.

The second danger (cue Jaws music) is one that I have already alluded to - the Great White Shark. Who knows why, but these majestic denizens of the deep are coming nearer and nearer to shore these days and you really don't want to be in their path.

There are shark spotters on the hillside to alert the lifeguards to the presence of sharks and they have proven very effective. There is a flag system in place on the beach:

Green Flag - means visibility is good and no sharks have been seen.

Black Flag - means visibility is poor, but no sharks have been seen.

Red Flag - Means that a shark has been seen recently, but is no longer visible to the spotters.

White Flag With A Picture Of A Shark (Accompanied By A Loud Siren) - Can you guess what this might mean? That's right, a shark has been spotted and you should leave the water as quickly and as calmly as possible.

No Flag - Means that the shark spotters are not on duty - it's advisable to stay out of the water.