Outer Kom

Outer Kom is a surf spot located in Cape Town, South Africa. The spot is found near Kommetjie, with access by heading past Kommetjie and turning right to the small harbour, where parking is available. The wave breaks over a coral reef bottom and is best surfed at low to medium tide. The surf spot provides left waves. Outer Kom is known for its powerful waves that break far out, about 250 meters from the shore, a little right of the lighthouse as seen from the main road. There are a few main peaks, with a smaller inside peak working on smaller swells and an outside peak that breaks further out when the swell is bigger. The outside peak can require a long wait for a set, and the waves can shift, so knowing the spot helps. The paddle out is fairly long but manageable, starting from the left end of the harbour. There is a light rip at the end of the harbour that gets stronger on a falling tide, so heading right is recommended to avoid the strongest current. The spot is exposed to rips, undertow, and occasional sharks, and there are urchins on the reef. Massive kelp beds and thick seaweed are present, and surfers need to paddle through kelp beds to reach the open water. The wave can jack up on the outside reef and then die down, and “the bowl” section can be tricky in soft offshores, with late drops required. The spot is mostly empty, but when it is crowded, respect the locals and always check the surf etiquette. The wave length ranges from 150 to 300 meters. The surf here is not consistent and often not working, so check the surf forecast, report, map, or webcam before heading out. The best conditions are during winter, especially in May, with west swell and light onshore winds. Water temperature varies, so bring the right wetsuit. Check your skills before paddling out, be sure that the spot and conditions match your level. Nearby surf spots include Drainpipes, Inner Kom, K 364, K 365, and Pebbles Shorey.