What better way to take advantage of the hot summer days to come than to plan the perfect beach day! Whether you’re looking for a trendy beach to relax at, a family-friendly beach with warmer waters or great views, Cape Town has it all.
Here is a list of the best beaches in town:
The Clifton Beaches
These beaches are situated in the most sought-after and wealthy suburbs of Cape Town and are among the best beaches in South Africa.
Clifton is about a 10-minute drive from the city and has four beaches resting between giant boulders that protect the beaches against the city’s south-easter wind.
1st Beach
- Favourte option for luxurious locals and vacationers
- Off-leash dog-friendly beach
- Current is perfect for body or board surfing
2nd Beach
- Laidback atmosphere with younger crowd
- Percfect for activities like volleyball, beach bats or frisbee
3rd Beach
- Popular amongst the LGBTQ community of Cape Town
- Perfect for tanning and not too crowded
4th Beach
- Biggest and most popular beach in Clifton
- Great holiday atmosphere with lots of trendy people and families
- Holds Blue Flag status – “international award given to beaches that are clean, safe, offer great amenities and implement environmentally conscious initiatives”
Clifton Beach Tips
Enjoy the cold shock on a hot summer’s day when swimming at Clifton’s beaches with the average water temperature being around 10°C.
And remember that parking in Clifton is a nightmare. So if you’re planning to drive, be sure to get there early to secure a spot, however, we recommend using Uber when possible.
And lastly, pack lightly since the only way to reach paradise is via stepped pathways and winding, narrow staircases. But it’s definitely worth it as you’re met with soft sandy beaches and a beautiful blue ocean.
Camps Bay
You’ll find the beautiful Camps Bay just down the road from Clifton, laying in its picture-perfect curve below the Twelve Apostle Mountain Range.
With a palm tree-lined strip, the beach is complete with many trendy restaurants, cafes and bars. Here, both locals and visitors can be found after a perfect day on the beach across the street.
People love being active on Camps Bay by walking their dogs, playing volleyball, or just working on their tan.
Beach Tip
During Cape Town’s holiday season (December and January), Camps Bay beach tends to get quite crowded. Try heading in the direction of Clifton to discover the more secluded Glen Beach.
Llandudno Beach
Llandudno beach can be found about 20km outside of Cape Town city on the way to Hout Bay. This beach is a favourite among the locals and in order to get there, you need to follow a narrow road as it winds down a hillside neighbourhood.
Here, a soft sandy cove awaits with surfers in the water and dogs and children playing on the beach. Llandudno is also a fantastic spot to watch the sunset and enjoy a tasty picnic. So remember to pack your camera to capture the amazing view!
Boulders Beach
Boulders Beach is one of the more crowded beaches…but not with who you think. This beach is home to a large colony of endangered African penguins who strut around the beach as the local celebrities of Simon’s Town.
Boulders Beach can be found about 40km outside of Cape Town on the False Bay coastline. So it’s definitely better for swimming!
Beach Tip
The beach is situated in Simon’s Town and not too far from Kalk Bay – so if you’re into interesting history and culture, be sure to explore these areas too!
Muizenberg
Situated where the shore of the Cape Peninsula curves round on the False Bay coast, Muizenberg has become known as the “Surfer’s Corner”. And with its warmer waters, many families also enjoy the Blue Flag status beach with its colourful Victorian bathing boxes.
Muizenberg also offers surfing lessons with spots to rent surfboards and wetsuits.
Blouberg
The coastline stretch of Blouberg makes for the most perfect view of Table Mountain and consists of a few different beaches. The most popular is Dolphin Beach, Small Bay and Big Bay.
Blouberg is known for its wind and icy waters, so while it’s not great for just relaxing on the beach, it’s perfect for sports like windsurfing and kitesurfing. Big Bay is one of the world’s best kitesurfing destinations and yearly hosts an international competition.
