African Soul Surfer

You hear the ocean before you see it: the rhythmic ebb and flow of the tide, calls of seabirds, salty air drifting in through the windows. African Soul Surfer is more than just a roof over your head, it’s a beach-loving community built for people who want to surf by day and enjoy music by night.

Perched right on Muizenberg Beach, this hostel/surf & yoga camp is found in a triple-storey heritage structure that was erected in 1916 to watch over False Bay. From its terraces and balconies you can see the waves breaking, the colourful Muizenberg bathing huts, and the constant stream of surfers in search of their point break. Surf culture isn’t a gimmick here, it’s everywhere: in the staff who also run the surfing classes, the design that accommodates drying racks for boards and wetsuits, and the schedule which pads time for yoga sessions in between surfs.

There’s a room for every kind of traveller. Ensuite Double & Family Rooms boast sea-views and the Single Rooms come with balconies. Wood floors and high ceilings make the rooms feel spacious – ideal for couples or families who value privacy. The Family Rooms include a double bed as well as 1 or two single beds.

Facilities lean towards communal but thoughtful: a shared kitchen for cooking your own meals, common areas to hang out and check surf reports, free WiFi, storage for boards and wetsuit drying, views that carry all the way into dinner. Over the week, the rhythm slows. You surf, eat well, rest, read, maybe take a walk along the beach huts, hit up nearby cafés. When you do head out, you’re well placed: cafés, surf shops, vintage finds in Muizenberg; the deeper Peninsula and coastal drives beyond

If you can tear yourself away from the break, there’s more to explore. Kalk Bay is a brag of quaint shops, seafood restaurants and has an infectious fishing village charm. Boulders Beach is famed for its adorable African penguin colony while Silvermine Nature Reserve has scenic hiking trails like Elephant’s Eye Cave or the Reservoir Loop. Birdwatching is a feast for the eyes for twitchers, while thrill-seekers might enjoy the mountain biking trails.

Bottom line is African Soul Surfer is the kind of place that doesn’t try to mask its surfer edges. When the ocean is your alarm clock and your neighbours are probably from half a world away, your encouraged to explore and indulge your curiosity.. For travellers who want authenticity over polish, beach culture over luxury, this is a base you’ll want to linger in.

Children: Many of the sea-view rooms are suited to families wanting privacy, though please note that spaces like the kitchen and lounges are communal.
Sustainability: The surfing community is big on ocean awareness. The surfing instructors encourage the sharing of gear to shed light on conscious consumerism. They employ locals and recycle waste.

Ethicality: Many staff are surf instructors or locals. Local Surf Lounge Academy, an award-winning non-profit that provides youth and disadvantaged community members in the area with surf training & skills development, is run by the owner of Soul Surfer. The café, which uses predominantly organic and ethically sourced produce, also trains locals (including surfers) in barista work etc.

Mobility: Unfortunately, a steep flight of stairs separates guests from the reception and the rest of the hotel.