How to get a surf season job in Cape Town

Cape Town in South Africa runs its season roughly Nov – Mar. Mountain, ocean and a summer where everyone is hiring.

What gets hired here: surf camp hosting, instructing, hostel reception, beach bar and restaurant work, photography and van driving. Employers in Cape Town care far more about your dates, your attitude and whether you can start on time than about a polished CV — say clearly which months you are available and what you can do.

Camps and beach businesses hire two to four months before the high season, and often again mid-season when someone leaves.

Before you accept anything in Cape Town, ask three questions: is accommodation included and what is deducted for it, are meals part of the deal, and what the contract actually pays per month. Anything vague in writing tends to stay vague once you arrive.

Budget for a flight, a deposit and roughly one month of living costs before your first pay lands. Then browse the live Cape Town listings on Seasonaries and email three to five employers the same week — applying broadly is what lands a season.