Cape Town’s Beaches – Take a Dip!
Cape Town’s Beaches
Blouberg – Boulders – Camps Bay – Clifton – False Bay Beaches – Fish Hoek – Hout Bay -Llandudno – Muizenberg – Noordhoek – Sandy Bay – St James
There are several beaches in Cape Town, laid out on either side of Cape Point. Depending on what side they are on, they are either very cold water beaches on the Atlantic Seaboard side or warmer water beaches on the False Bay side.
Each beach in Cape Town has its unique draw card. You could spend the day in the sun with the bikini crowd, ride a horse for miles, take a long run or leisurely stroll, have a romantic picnic or just have fun with the family ……
The only remaining question then is… which is the right beach for me?
Blouberg, Boulders, Camps Bay, Clifton, False Bay, Fish Hoek, Hout Bay, Llandudno, Muizenberg, Noordhoek, Sandy Bay or St James?
We hope that our information will help you decide where to go and that you will have a fun filled day.
Blouberg & Big Bay…
Blouberg & Big Bay are for walkers and kite surfers. There is nothing more refreshing for the heart, mind and soul than a powerful walk along a seemingly never ending beach. You can park anywhere along Otto Du Plessis Drive once you get to Blouberg and you will find both senior citizens taking a leisurely stroll and young joggers & their dogs sweating it out. It’s the most magnificent feeling walking along with the picture perfect Table Mountain across the bay and the sky dotted with kite surfers effortlessly overlapping each other as they somersault through the sky.
Boulders Beach
Boulders Beach offers an entirely different experience. It lies just beyond Simon’s Town and forms part of the conservation area – home to the African jackass penguin. One can wander along the wooden boardwalks and find the penguins living in their natural habitat completely unperturbed by the visitors. The beach itself is made up of a number of small sandy coves backdropped by large boulders. Just bear in mind that when you think you have found your own private little beach, you may just be surprised you have to share it with the odd penguin. This beach is really great for children as it is protected from currents, wind and big waves by the large boulders. Just make sure your children don’t try to touch the penguins because although they look so cute and harmless, they have very sharp beaks and if they feel threatened will not hesitate to use them!
Camps Bay
Camps Bay is an ideal spot for those wanting to laze around all day on the beach but be close to the trendy bars and restaurants that line the beach front. It’s easily accessible from the road and frequented by families and sand castle builders as well as those who want to do a spot of sunbathing, have a couple of cold swims, followed by a sundowner cocktail in a stylish lounge bar. Just make sure you take your trendiest pair of sunglasses to look the part after a day on the beach watching the sun go down to the funky beats. You will also find surfers on Glen Beach at Camps Bay, an excellent surfing spot. Families too, love this beach for its closeness to amenities and its friendly laid back atmosphere.
Clifton Beaches
The Clifton 4 are Cape Towns’ most famous beaches (after Camps Bay), located in the swanky suburb of Clifton. The beaches here used to be a bit of a Capetonian secret but now you will find that in the summer months there is little sand left between the tanned bodies boasting Billabong & Quicksilver trunks & Armani bikinis.
These beaches are a place to be seen, not to swim. Bodies are trim and athletic providing proof that Capetonains really do look after themselves. Hit Clifton four if you are babe-watching (or a babe wanting to be watched), or try Clifton 3 to see where the local gay boys hang out. First beach is the farthest beach North towards Seapoint and fourth beach is the closest to Camps Bay. One can park along Victoria road and you will find signs indicating where the steep steps take you down to the beach. Fourth beach has good bathroom and changing facilities and all beaches have the odd kiosk and beach vendors selling drinks and ice-cream. Even loungers and umbrellas are available for rent.
False Bay Beaches
The False Bay beaches are great for swimming as the water is a lot warmer than the Atlantic beaches. You will find these beaches generally quieter, more laid back and less trendy. It’s great fun to clamber around the beaches between Muizenberg and Fish Hoek. The tidal pools are fun for the explorers amongst us or those that get restless after 30 minutes of sunbathing. It’s a 40 min walk between Muizenburg and St James beach past rock-pools and crashing waves ideal for mums to send away impatient dads and sons for a couple of hours to play.
Fish Hoek Beach
Fish Hoek beach is a real highlight. The bay is sheltered and perfect for swimming and the Fish Hoek Beach Sailing club is the largest beachcat sailing club in the country. It’s also great for walking and there is a play area for children, a little restaurant and good bathroom and changing facilities.
Hout Bay
Hout Bay is for paddleskiers, windsurfers and surfers. Hout bay was originally a fishing village and is a favourite with visitors coming to see the old traditional harbour with its colourful boats, many restaurants and curio shops. Its also a fabulous beach for walking.
Llandudno
Llandudno is a small stunning stetch of beach only a few hundred meters long accessed by a steep road off Victoria Road past Camps Bay before Hout Bay. Parking is limited so you will usually only find a spot on the residential streets. The beach is framed by enormous granite boulders and is popular with by sunbathers and surfers. The water is cold but do stay for sunset which is what Llanduno is all about. There is a little lifesaving clubhouse which is one of the very few shops in this tiny and exclusive suburb.
Muizenberg
Muizenberg beach has been made famous by its numerous brightly coloured beach huts and although it has not been the most fashionable place to be in the past when compared to nearby Kalk Bay or St James it has become more popular in recent times for being one of the best surfing spots on the peninsula. Its consistent waves also make it a perfect place to learn. The sleepy town is still lined with the mansions of the past and the beach has good facilities and restaurants nearby. It’s great for children too.
Noordhoek
Noordhoek has become the peninsula’s perfect spot for horse riding on the beach. A few residents in the area have their own horses or there are riding schools near the beach who also cater for children. Sleepy Hollow and The Dunes offer rides that start at the Noordhoek end and head out towards the South with the opportunity to see dolphins and the wreck of the Kakapo. Otherwise it’s a great walking beach due to it’s length. Kite flying is popular too. For those that want to see Noordhoek from the comforts of the car can stop at the lay-by on the escarpment coming over Chapmans peak to take a picture perfect photo of the huge beach stretching into the distance below. Kommetjie Beach nearby is also good for surfing.
Sandy Bay
Sandy Bay is Cape Town’s famous nudist beach and lies beyond sunset rocks which border Llandudno beach on the South side. One can hop across the huge granite boulders along the stunning rocky coastline peppered with intimate sandy beaches. Just beware that if you choose to go to Sandy Bay, your bikini or swimming trunks are something you can definitely leave behind!
No matter the time of the year, in Cape Town there is a beach waiting for every one of us.