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Cape Town is one of the most scenic regions in the world thanks to its spectacular stretch of coastline and proximity to the beautiful Cape Fold Mountains. There’s no shortage of bays and beaches to explore, and many of them offer incredible views of iconic landmarks such as Table Mountain, Lion’s Head, and Chapman’s Peak.
On the west coast of the Cape Peninsula, strong winds offer fantastic opportunities for surfing and kitesurfing. On the eastern side lies False Bay where warmer waters make swimming a pleasure. No matter which area you visit, there’s no shortage of white sandy beaches and opportunities to bask under the sun.
Here’s a rundown of the most beautiful beaches in Cape Town to help you plan your beach days.
Clifton Beaches
Clifton is known as one of Cape Town’s most affluent and desirable suburbs and many consider it to have some of the best beaches in South Africa. Located just under four miles from the center of Cape Town, Clifton Beaches are shielded from the wind thanks to a series of giant granite boulders called the Twelve Apostles.
What to Expect
There are four beaches in Clifton and each has its own unique atmosphere.
- First Beach is the quietest and it tends to be most popular with locals.
- Second Beach attracts young people playing volleyball and tossing frisbees which gives it a livelier vibe.
- Third Beach is known as Clifton’s LGBTQ+ beach, but all are welcome on this friendly, laid-back bay.
- Finally, Fourth Beach is the biggest and most popular destination in Clifton. It has a family-friendly atmosphere and great amenities. This 4th beach has Blue Flag status so you can feel confident in its cleanliness and safety.
Amenities
Fourth Beach has the most amenities, including toilets, outdoor showers, and a nearby restaurant. Across all four beaches, you’ll find umbrella and chair hire as well as roaming vendors selling drinks and snacks.
Parking is available at Fourth Beach and nearby Victoria Road, but spaces are limited so get there early during summer. Many visit via the bus that stops directly opposite Fourth Beach.
Mouille Point Beach
Also known as Granger Bay, Mouille Point Beach is situated between Cape Town Center and Camps Bay. It’s the perfect spot for a long walk rather than for lounging, and it’s particularly great for families with energetic kids.
What to Expect
You can stroll along the promenade at Mouille Point Beach and make the most of the benches dotted along the way to soak in views of Robben Island. Children love playing in the rock pools here, where they can spot starfish, crabs, and other sea critters.
If you’re in the area in the late afternoon, stick around to watch the sunset for an incredible view and peaceful atmosphere.
Amenities
Parking is readily available on the street and access to the beach is directly off the promenade with no steps to contend with. There are plenty of amenities along the promenade including restaurants, cafes, bars, and gelato shops.
Camps Bay Beach
Camps Bay is known as one of Cape Town’s most popular beaches thanks to its fantastic facilities and impeccable views. Lined with palm trees and boasting pristine white sand, beachgoers visit for both sunbathing and socializing.
What to Expect
Camps Bay Beach is popular with families, couples, and groups of all ages. Its long, wide layout means there’s plenty of space for lounging on a towel in peace or enjoying a game of volleyball.
The beach offers brilliant views of the Twelve Apostles, part of Table Mountain, and Lion’s Head. Camps Bay strip is also a trendy spot to enjoy seafood or indulge in cocktails at one of the many restaurants, bars, and beach clubs.
Amenities
Its status as one of Cape Town’s Blue Flag beaches ensures Camps Bay has excellent amenities, including toilets, umbrella and chair hire, a playground for children, and plenty of restaurants, bars, and cafes.
Glen Beach
Just a 10-minute walk from bustling Camps Bay, Glen Beach is a quieter alternative for those who want the Twelve Apostles backdrop with smaller crowds. It’s particularly popular with surfers because strong wind gusts create excellent waves.
What to Expect
Glen Beach is flanked by boulders and sand dunes which means it’s protected from the strong winds typical of Cape Town’s coast. The sea itself is susceptible to powerful currents which means it’s not good for swimming but perfect for surfing.
If you’re looking for a quiet and picturesque beach for sunbathing, reading, and relaxing, Glen Beach is it.
Amenities
There are public toilets in Glen Beach and a few bars, cafes, and restaurants nearby. You’ll also find vendors selling ice cream and refreshments.
Queens Beach at Sea Point
Queens Beach is situated in the Sea Point area where there are also several other city beaches to choose from. What makes Queens Beach special is its slightly isolated and sheltered location which saves it from busy crowds during summer.
What to Expect
Bring a picnic, drinks, and snacks to spend a long, relaxing day at Queens Beach, which is just a five-minute walk from Sea Point Promenade. A gully between rocks allows for easy and safe dips in the refreshing ocean water and gives kids a great place to hunt for shells and spot starfish.
Surfers can also enjoy the surf break here which is called “big and mushy” by locals.
Amenities
Toilets are available at Queens Beach but you’ll need to walk up to nearby pavilion pools to find food, drinks, and ice cream. The beach has a large parking lot and a bus stop.
Beta Beach at Bakoven
Bakoven lies right at the edge of Camps Bay. Its small white sand beach, known by locals as Beta Beach, is renowned for its calm blue waters and gorgeous views of both Lion’s Head and the Twelve Apostles.
What to Expect
Most visitors to Beta Beach are Bakoven locals relaxing on the sand or having fun in the bay’s still water which is ideal for snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, and swimming.
Keep in mind that there aren’t facilities for hiring water sports equipment so you’ll need to bring your own. Given the chilly nature of the Atlantic Ocean, you might benefit from wearing a wetsuit if you plan to take a dip in the water.
Amenities
You can find parking and toilets at Bakoven, but other amenities are limited in this small, peaceful village.
Oudekraal Beach
Oudekraal Beach is a breathtaking sheltered cove that lies 7.5 miles from the center of Cape Town in Table Mountain National Park. Enjoy a scenic drive out to this beach via a coastal road that runs between Camps Bay and Llandudno.
What to Expect
The white sand beach at Oudekraal is scattered with boulders and has a series of shallow tidal pools for kids to explore safely. The Atlantic Ocean is usually freezing cold but if you’re feeling brave the turquoise water is crystal clear along this stretch of beach, making it perfect for snorkeling, scuba diving, and freediving.
Locals flock to the beach for what’s known in South Africa as “a fire and a braai” (barbecue). Expect a lively, family-friendly atmosphere rather than peace and quiet.
Amenities
Due to its location in Table Mountain National Park, there’s an entrance fee for Oudekraal Beach. Given that, you can always go for a quick hike before cooling down in the waves or relaxing in the sun. You’ll find a small parking area, toilets, and BBQ facilities that include picnic tables.
Llandudno Beach
Just over 12 miles south of Cape Town lies lively Llandudno Beach. It is deemed one of the best beaches for locals who want to escape the crowds of Clifton Beaches and Camps Bay.
What to Expect
Llandudno is an exclusive hillside neighborhood and its stretch of coastline is incredibly pretty. Its scenic beach is flanked by huge boulders and is usually crowded with families lounging in the sun, playing games, building sandcastles, and surfing. The west coast location makes Llandudno a great spot for watching the sunset.
Amenities
There’s limited parking at Llandudno Beach and no restaurants or cafes, so bring a picnic or look out for roaming vendors for drinks and snacks. Lifeguards are on duty in busy summer months as the water can get rough.
Sandy Bay
Just down the coast from Llandudno is Sandy Bay, Cape Town’s only nudist beach. With white sands, deep turquoise waters, and huge, rugged slabs of granite, it has a wild, unspoiled atmosphere.
What to Expect
Sandy Bay is accessible via a 20-minute walk from a car park on the north side of Hout Bay, or via a rocky climb from a car park on the south side of Llandudno. Its poor accessibility is what keeps it relatively hidden and quiet.
The bay has plenty of rocky outcrops that break up the beach and offer some privacy. Visitors can expect to see nude sunbathers at Sandy Bay, so it is best suited to couples and groups of adults rather than families.
Amenities
There are no amenities at all at Sandy Bay so bring food and drinks if you plan to stay a while.
Hout Bay Beach
Hout Bay is worth a visit for the fantastic views en route. It lies 10.5 miles from Cape Town and is accessed via Chapman’s Peak Drive which offers spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and Chapman’s Peak itself.
What to Expect
Hout Bay Beach is just over half a mile long and is fairly wide at several points, which means it has plenty of space for sunbathing, playing games, and even horseback riding. A small river splits the beach in the middle but this is easy to cross. The water is very calm and safe for swimming and kayaking.
Check out Hout Bay Harbour to explore the craft market which is incredibly popular.
Amenities
Public toilets are available and there are plenty of restaurants and cafes in Hout Bay. There aren’t facilities for hiring umbrellas or chairs and there’s very little shade available so bring your own.
Blouberg
Bloubergstrand, or Blouberg as it’s commonly known, is 12 miles north of Cape Town on the Table Bay shores. It is best known for its views of Table Mountain and Lion’s Head. Its windy waters are ideal for kitesurfing and other water sports.
What to Expect
There are two main beaches to choose from in Bloubergstrand.
- Big Bay is home to an annual international kitesurfing competition, and it’s brilliant for surfing, windsurfing, and bodyboarding.
- Small Bay has a much quieter atmosphere that makes it suitable for sunbathers and families. It’s also a prime spot for soaking in an unobstructed view of Table Mountain, particularly at sunset.
Amenities
Blouberg is a busy area with plenty of amenities, including toilets, lots of places for parking, and many shops, cafes, and restaurants.
Muizenberg Beach
Another one of South Africa’s Blue Flag beaches, Muizenberg, is situated on Cape Town’s False Bay side where the Cape Peninsula curves towards the east. This position affords it warmer waters than beaches on the west coast which is ideal for swimmers and surfers.
What to Expect
Muizenberg beach is a family-friendly destination with a safe, clean, and extensive beach. Its waves aren’t too strong, which makes it a great location for beginner surfers and young swimmers. One of Muizenberg’s iconic features is its bright and colorful beach huts which offer a brilliant backdrop for photos.
Amenities
You’ll find plenty of toilets and eateries in Muizenberg. Parking is available but it fills up quickly in busy months. There are plenty of businesses offering surfboard and wetsuit rentals, and it’s easy to find surfing lessons.
St. James Beach
St. James Beach is a 15-minute walk from Kalk Bay on the False Bay seafront. It’s a small beach that offers shelter from the wind and relatively calm waters for a peaceful day out.
What to Expect
A 30-minute drive from Cape Town, Kalk Bay is a small and pretty seaside town that’s popular with locals. St. James Beach offers warm and calm waters. Kids love splashing around in the shallow tidal pools, and adults are bound to love the views of the mountainous Cape.
Amenities
There are shops, cafes, restaurants, and toilets dotted around Kalk Bay and not too far from St. James Beach.
Fish Hoek Beach
The beach in Fish Hoek has Blue Flag status which makes it a popular destination for people of all ages. It has a fantastic range of facilities and is perfect for swimming.
What to Expect
The water at Fish Hoek beach is warm and swimmable, and with lifeguards and shark spotters on duty, visitors can feel safe and relaxed taking a dip here.
The northern end of the beach is quieter and wilder, and local fishermen use it to tend to their equipment. The southern end is more developed and ideal for families. Take a stroll along Jager’s Walk to see fantastic views of whales from June to November.
Amenities
Fish Hoek has 600 parking spots, toilets, and lots of places to eat and buy snacks. Children’s play areas can be found at the southern end of the beach.
Glencairn Beach
Glencairn is situated on the western shore of False Bay, 2.5 miles north of Simon’s Town. Its beach is brilliant for swimming but the surrounding area also offers lots of walkways and footpaths to explore.
What to Expect
A tidal pool at the southern end of the beach provides a safe spot for swimming for young children and is great for snorkeling. A portion of the beach is contained within the walls of this pool so parents can keep an eye on their children easily. The north end of the beach is popular with bodyboarders, surfers, and kayakers.
Amenities
There’s plenty of parking along the beach in Glencairn and there’s also a train station. Shark spotters and lifeguards help to keep everyone safe, and there are plenty of toilets, cafes, restaurants, and shops.
Boulders Beach
Boulders Beach, close to the village of Simon’s Town and with Cape Point Nature Reserve nearby, is home to a large colony of African Penguins. It’s easily one of the best places to visit in Cape Town.
Kids and adults alike love watching the penguins hop in and out of the sea, and the beach is also a good place for children to explore and swim.
What to Expect
Between 2,000 and 3,000 African Penguins inhabit Boulders Beach and it’s vital that visitors keep a reasonable distance to avoid disturbing them. There are plenty of boulders to climb to observe the penguins from a distance.
The waters are relatively warm which makes swimming in the rock pools a pleasure. You can expect to pay a small fee to enter the beach to support the conservation of the penguins.
Amenities
Boardwalks at Boulders Beach are wheelchair-friendly. Toilets and outdoor showers are available.
Long Beach
Stretching over five miles, Long Beach is the perfect destination for long walks, surfing, and sunbathing. It runs between Kommetjie and Noordhoek on the Atlantic coast.
What to Expect
Long Beach lacks shelter which makes it a windy spot that’s ideal for surfing and body-boarding. Most of this action takes place at the Kommetjie end. There’s a large tidal pool near the Slangkop Lighthouse at Kommetjie and this is ideal for safe swimming for kids. Halfway between Kommetjie and Noordhoek is the Kakapo shipwreck which is an unusual and impressive sight.
Amenities
Parking and toilets are available at both Kommetjie and Noordhoek, but there are no amenities in the long stretch of beach in between them.
Soak up the Beauty at These Cape Town Beaches
It’s clear to see that you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to beautiful beaches in Cape Town. These are some of the very best South African beaches, so try to visit as many as possible during your visit.
