Waves nice, can be ridden down the line. Generally smaller than in Kite Beach or Melkbos. In a SW, you have to cross them diagonally, can be a bit tricky. Wave sizes vary, from small to huge. The waves are not the biggest around but very powerful and it makes Sunset Beach a prime wave riding spot.
The beach is sandy, and usually wide enough to allow for a good launch. Shorebreak can get gnarly sometimes. Some kitesurfers launch from the most downwind parking spot in a SE to go for a long downwind trip to Kitebeach (about 3km).
Long wetsuits needed all year round - although people were seen in shorties some times. Air around 30°C in the summer, down to 15°C in the winter. The water is pretty cold, around 10-15°C in the summer and 13-17°C in the winter. The longer the Southeaster (prevailing summer wind) blows, the colder the surface water gets. Doesn't matter much in summer though.
Sunset is mostly a windsurf spot. In the normal Southeaster, the winds are pretty offshore and gusty due to the houses that have been built over the last 10 years. Mostly populated by windsurfers. In a SW, it can happen that the wind is a lot stronger than at Kitebeach. The wind here is generally 20% stronger compared to Big Bay. Happens that you are overpowered on a kite which didn't work in Kitebeach in a SW. NW doesn't work so well, better go to Kitebeach or Big Bay. Beware, sometimes it's gusty on the beach.
Take the R27 from Cape Town. You will see an Engen petrol station on your left, and a sign `Sunset Beach`. Turn left here. At the end of the road, you have to turn left or right. Turn either way and then look for a road to the beach. There are about 5 parking spots. Not much difference between them.
04-02-08 jan R: Do not only watch for car thieves ! It can be lively in the water especially when the great white is having a look at you he might think you look like tasty food !
