Rating:    *****

Distance: 45kms

Time:       45 minutes

Scarborough is a beautiful place to sail at - the spot is fairly deserted, and it has a wild feel to it. If you feel like getting away from the hustle and bustle, and you want an uncrowded sail, all on your own, or with a maximum of about 5 other sailors, go and sail at Scarborough

Rigging Area:

There is a grassed area next to the “toilet”, or just to the right of the path, on the verge of
the beach, there is a grassy spot.

Wind Conditions:

SE: Port Tack

The South Easter can really howl here; I have seen days where 4.0m2 sails were too big.
The wind is usually fairly constant, but out past the point, it is much stronger. On light wind days, you might have to struggle out through the waves, to make it to the windy section past the point.

NW: Starboard Tack

The wind is always a lot gustier in winter, and a lot more demanding to sail in.

Wave Conditions: 

SE: Port Tack

Scarborough gets excellent waves close to the beach which can rapidly become quite large due to the very shallow shelf, and the effect of the previous wave washing back out of
the small bay. You might think that you’ve made it out past the break, with only a small wave to get over, which will suddenly build and trash you right there and then! Beyond the point, a very large surfable swell often forms.

For the bold, a large wave can be surfed in front of the rocks, both of the point, and in front of the car park, but no mistakes are tolerated here!

NW: Starboard Tack

The NW kicks up the swell, which can be a disadvantage, because of the shape of the beach, which leads to a very turbulent, rough ocean, and a washing machine effect, with really strong currents. Add to this the fact that it can quite easily push you onto the rocky point, and you have really demanding conditions, with huge swells past the point.

All in all, it can be extremely difficult sailing. You would have a much better time if you moved round to Crayfish Factory, Witsands or Misty Cliffs.

Additional Information:

It is advisable to sail with someone else here, especially if you are sailing far past the point. If you feel like a longer sail, sail downwind to Misty Cliffs, or Witsands, which is about 2 to 3 kms away, and arrange a car shuttle with one of your buddies.

Directions:

Take the De Waal Drive (the M3) from Cape Town past UCT, and just follow the road for about 15 kms, past Constantia, to the end of the highway. Turn right at the stop street,
and take the Ou Kaapse Weg Mountain Pass through the Silvermine Nature Reserve. Drive through Sun Valley, past a Pick’n Pay until you get to a busy 4 way stop. Turn right, to Kommetjie. Drive through Ocean View, until you get to a sign to Cape Point. Turn left, drive up the hill, until you get to another stop street. Turn left, and drive through Misty Cliffs, until you get to another small village - and turn right to the beach, just after the Camel Rock Restaurant.