"Intense Waves and Devoid of Crowds": Angola Might Be Surfing World's Hidden Gem
Probably not Angola, but you'd be incorrect if you underestimate its surfing potential.
This southern African country, relatively new on the tourism scene, can hold its own against the best when it comes to ocean riding. It's primarily attracting the more daring surf enthusiasts, with only limited amenities for those who venture there. However, things are changing, as at least one surf travel provider is now assisting board sports lovers in locating the next big wave.
AngolaWaves, run by Bizuka Barros (a Portuguese-Angolan) and Oded Golan (an Israeli resident in Angola for over 15 years), is dedicated to promoting Angola as a surf destination while supporting local communities and sustainable development in surf tourism. Despite having repeat customers, part of their work involves convincing the uninitiated about its viability as a surf destination - addressing concerns about visas, safety, flights, malaria, and even shark attacks.
Barros affirms that Angola is a safe destination, especially outside the bustling capital, Luanda. He advises visiting during the dry season (May-September), offering lower malaria risk and more consistent surf swells. Tourist visas are now easily obtainable as well.
Surfer's Nirvana
While there are numerous surf spots in Angola, much of the action revolves around Cabo Ledo, a stunning, untouched beach approximately 120 kilometers (75 miles) south of Luanda. The combination of geological and meteorological conditions has resulted in an almost ideal environment for beginners and experts alike.
The pristine sands and clear waters make it popular with typical beach-goers, as a break from the capital. But it's the prevailing winds, which provide long waves and simple surf, that make it a surfer's paradise.
The bay features a consistent, slow-rolling, very long left-hander point break, suitable for surfers of all skill levels. Additionally, two more advanced, faster waves emerge when the swell is substantial, known locally as "Praia do Surfistas," or Surfers' Beach.
“It’s a very long wave,” says Paulo Agusto, a local entrepreneur. “We are talking about 3, 4, 500-meter waves on a good day – and we get surf days all year. And no crowd here!”
There's an array of accommodation options, from campsites to more luxurious establishments like Doçe Mar Resort, set right on the shoreline. Temperatures generally hover around 30 C (86 F) all year round.
“It’s very, very easy to learn because we can catch the wave here and to go to catch another one, we can just walk on the beach,” says Gillas Cros, a French expat enjoying a surfing session. “We can enter the water and take the wave.”
Keeping it exclusive
Paulo Rodrigues, a Portuguese who learned to surf at Cabo Ledo, says it's an excellent spot for beginners.
“Very good to learn and very good to spend some nice time in the sea... warm temperature, the water is great,” he says. “And the sea is not harsh and all the surroundings, you know. It’s... a very peaceful beach.”
It's not just surfers and grown-ups enjoying the waves at Cabo Ledo. Tchyina Matos, who runs the Kalemba Radical Association, a nonprofit providing sporting opportunities for youngsters, has brought a van full of children to practice skimboarding – which involves smaller boards, launched by running in from the shallows and skidding over the water.
“It started 11 years ago... as a project to take kids from the streets,” says Matos of her organization. “We have a lot of boys that were trying... drugs or starting to rob people. And then I saw an opportunity to put the kids doing sports and not doing bad things.”
Cabo Ledo plays a significant role in this, according to Matos.
“The thing that’s special in here is that, beside the nature ... people when (they) come here, they just change,” she adds, noting that the children become more communicative and more “human” when they visit. “Even if they don’t know each other, they help each other, so it’s totally different.”
Agusto, the resort owner, stresses that steps are taken to ensure that Cabo Ledo remains exclusive.
“We got a few rules on that beach,” he says. These include no lighting fires on the sand, no loud music, no generators or electric lights, and taking all garbage home.
“It’s just simple rules,” he says. “And you see the beach is clean. Everybody respects, there’s no confusion on that beach, no noise... So everybody loves to come.”
Martian landscapes
AngolaWaves arranges surfing safari itineraries in the region and along the coast to even wilder and more remote spots, using a fleet of 4x4 vehicles to connect visitors with the country's best waves and take advantage of shifting weather conditions.
Destinations include Catanas Point, a four-hour drive south from Cabo Ledo, which features an awe-inspiring A-frame wave breaking over a rock formation, producing beautiful left-hand waves and fast, hollow right-handers against the backdrop of a pristine bay.
In front of the surf spot, Sergio Torres and his partner, Cecilia, run a campsite and a social project offering educational support and surf coaching to local children.
Further south, passing through tropical savannah and rugged desert landscape, the safari also covers the Namibe Reserve's coastline, a protected natural area where towering sand dunes roll against the water.
In these temporary abodes, surfers reside, strategically positioned for easy access when the waves intensify. The Angola Waves squad serves them gratifying meals to maintain their strength for extended ocean ventures. When tranquility prevails, there are lively ukulele sessions by the campfire.
Heading further south, the safari unveils a renowned point break nestled near Tomuba's town. The coastal scenery, characterized by a barren, sun-kissed landscape, has left some vacationing surfers with impressions strikingly reminiscent of Martian landscapes captured by NASA rovers.
These enchanting vistas are gradually weaving a thrilling oral legend about Angola within the tight-knit community of avid surfers always on a quest for the ideal wave.
A secluded surfer from Israel, humbly preferring anonymity for personal reasons, encapsulated his experiences before embarking for home after a breathtaking 12-day tour with Angola Waves. His group had the privilege of riding unpopulated breakers.
"I am going to miss surfing these flawless waves, relishing solitude!"
Travelers looking to explore Angola's surfing potential might consider using AngolaWaves, a surf travel provider that assists board sports lovers in locating the next big wave. The company, led by Bizuka Barros and Oded Golan, is dedicated to promoting Angola as a surf destination while supporting local communities and sustainable development in surf tourism.
Surf enthusiasts who make the journey to Angola will be rewarded with a variety of world-class surf spots, including Cabo Ledo, a stunning, untouched beach that offers an almost ideal environment for beginners and experts alike. The pristine sands, clear waters, and consistent surf make it a surfer's nirvana, with accommodation options ranging from campsites to more luxurious establishments.
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