Beginners
Muizenberg — the country's learn-to-surf beach. Gentle beach break, warm-ish (Indian Ocean) water, board rentals and lessons on the sand, and a surf culture that's welcoming to first-timers. If you've never stood up, this is where you do it. Elands Bay (two hours north) for a step up once you can ride whitewater.
Intermediate
Jeffreys Bay — the famous right point break, and the country's surf town. Supertubes is for the good; the surrounding breaks (Kitchen Windows, Magnatubes) have waves for the competent. Long Beach (Kommetjie) near Cape Town for a consistent, uncrowded reef break when the Atlantic works. Durban's Golden Mile for warm water and a long boardriding tradition.
Experts only
Dungeons (Hout Bay) — big-wave reef break, boat-in only, and the Atlantic in winter. Cape St Francis (Seal Point) for serious reef on a swell.
The honest gear note
A wetsuit is non-negotiable on the Cape — the Atlantic is 10–14°C. A 4/3 for summer, 5/4 for winter. KZN (Durban north) is boardshorts in summer. Rent on arrival; don't travel with a board unless you're a serious surfer — the airlines charge and the Cape breaks the boards.