Dungeons

Heavy cold sharky slabs for expert surfers only.

Dungeons is South Africa's premier big-wave arena, a thundering right-hander located roughly one kilometre offshore from The Sentinel at Hout Bay near Cape Town. The wave comes alive on long-period west groundswells of 15 to 19 seconds, producing massive, fast-breaking faces that regularly reach 30 to 40 feet and can exceed 60 feet on the biggest winter swells between June and September. Light northerly offshore winds and a low tide are the ideal conditions, and the wave features infamous double-up takeoffs followed by long, high-speed walls that may or may not close out. Access is by boat or jet ski only, and hazards include frigid water temperatures around 10–14°C, great white sharks, powerful currents, and shallow reef sections. This is an experts-only wave that has been compared to Mavericks in California, and it demands exceptional big-wave experience, fitness, and ocean knowledge.

Best months to surf Dungeons

Wave consistency

Inconsistent

Things to do nearby

• Take a boat trip to see the local seal colony
• Explore the beautiful hiking trails in the area
• Visit the nearby vineyards for wine tasting
• Enjoy the scenic views from Chapman's Peak Drive