How to Watch


View All Photos

Red Bull Big Wave Africa is one of the world's unique surfing events and people wanting to experience the thrill of watching the invited surfers take on the biggest rideable waves on the African coastline have the following options:

*Please note that because we are waiting for that monstrous day there will be no spectator facilities available on practice sessions days and that the information below only applies to the day that the light goes green.

From the Land

When we get the Green Light, the waves are on and all the conditions are right, the Sentinel Ridge presents a panoramic view of Dungeons. Because big wave surfing is a serious spectator sport, on the day of the event, a designated viewing area will be set-up on the shoulder of the mountain. This provides a bird’s eye view of all the big wave action. For your big wave viewing pleasure we will activate certain infrastructure so that you are able to enjoy the contest in style. Please remember that this will only apply to the contest day and not to practice days.
Because the entrance to the Sentinel footpath is through a residential area please can you read the instructions below as to where to park and how to get about on the day.
We appreciate your co-operation as we do not want to disrupt or inconvenience the Hangberg residents so no spectator parking will be allowed in this area. Please follow signs to designated parking area where you will be able to park your vehicle safely and then catch the event shuttle to the start of the footpath.

As there is no parking available close to the mountain, and the mountain itself is part of the Table Mountain National Park, please follow the instructions below:

  1. Follow road signs to the designated event parking area (See signs from Victoria Road – the road that goes past the Harbour)
  2. Catch one of the Red Bull Big Wave Africa shuttles from the entrance to this car park.
  3. The shuttle will take you up to the start of the footpath that heads up to the Sentinel Ridge.
  4. The walk on the clearly demarcated trail to the viewing area will take 10 to 15 minutes and you are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes.
  5. There will not be refreshments on sale at the viewing facility (So bring your own and remember that alcohol is strictly prohibited) while toilets will be positioned at the start of the trail.
  6. The action in the surf is clearly visible to the naked eye, but binoculars, a telescope or a large camera lens will enhance your viewing pleasure.
  7. Bring a jacket, raincoat, beanie, blanket etc. and maybe even a pillow.
  8. The event shuttle busses will return you to the parking area you departed from.

Please note that only the Red Bull BWA shuttle busses and the vehicles of local residents will be permitted to enter the Hangberg suburb of Hout Bay on the day of the contest. Please respect the rights of the residents by utilising the park and ride facilities provided.

The viewing area on the Sentinel is environmentally sensitive and you are requested to observe all the Park rules, which include FIRE HAZARDS, picking up your litter, sticking to the path and viewing area and not behaving in a way that could cause damage to the sensitive environment you are in.

From the Water

Should you want to experience the awesome power of the ocean and watch the event from the water, there are a number of charter companies in Hout Bay harbour that will be operating boat trips to Dungeons on the day of the contest.

Please note that the Nauticat is the official contest judging boat of Red Bull BWA and is not available for charter on the day of the contest.

The following charter companies operate from Hout Bay harbour

Circe launches:
Contact Number: 021 790 1040
Website: www.circelaunches.co.za
Email: info@circelaunches.co.za
Tigger Too:
Contact Number: 021 790 5256
Website: www.tigger2.co.za
Email: tigger@netactive.co.za
Drumbeat Charters:
Contact Number: 021 790 4859
Website: www.drumbeatcharters.co.za
Email: drumbeatcharters@intekom.co.za
Hooked on Africa Fishing Charters:
Contact Number: 083 460 3963 or 082 337 6025
Website: www.hookedonafrica.co.za
Email: shaun@hookedonafrica.co.za

If you have the expertise to pilot your own craft in the extreme conditions required for the event to be staged and plan on taking your own boat out to Dungeons during the event, please adhere to the signage on the slipway in the Hout Bay harbour. While on the water please observe the instructions of the water safety crew and authorities at all times. Their knowledge of the area and the dynamics of the event are necessary to ensure that nobody gets into difficulties in the huge waves.


From the Website

For those of you who don’t live in Cape Town, cannot hump it up the hill or get violently seasick on a boat in the chundering seas, your best bet is to catch the action live on this comprehensive website. From the comfort of your cosy armchair, anywhere in the world, you have all the information at your finger tips. Live images and commentary when the event runs, loads of information on the venue, surfers, tons of images of the wave as well as real time weather and swell forecasts.

This year we are also adding a whole range of hot new features. Be sure to check the site regularly, because on Green Day there will be a prominent link taking you to a special section that will contain still images with live commentary as the event happens, the most updated scoring - heat for heat - and our most exciting feature yet... live video streaming. This year we bring you the event live. A live streaming video player will be embedded on this page, so if you have a good internet connection you'll be able to see all the great heroes surfing the monsters in The Dungeon.