Clifton Beaches<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Clifton<\/a> is known as one of Cape Town\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \nThere are four beaches in Clifton and each has its own unique atmosphere. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nFourth Beach has the most amenities, including toilets, outdoor showers, and a nearby restaurant. Across all four beaches, you\u2019ll find umbrella and chair hire as well as roaming vendors selling drinks and snacks. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nParking 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.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Photo Credit: Arkadij Schell<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Also known as Granger Bay, Mouille Point Beach<\/a> is situated between Cape Town Center<\/a> and Camps Bay. It\u2019s the perfect spot for a long walk rather than for lounging, and it\u2019s particularly great for families with energetic kids. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \nYou 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. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nIf you\u2019re in the area in the late afternoon, stick around to watch the sunset for an incredible view and peaceful atmosphere.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nParking 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.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Photo Credit: LMspencer<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Camps Bay<\/a> is known as one of Cape Town\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \nCamps Bay Beach is popular with families, couples, and groups of all ages. Its long, wide layout means there\u2019s plenty of space for lounging on a towel in peace or enjoying a game of volleyball. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nThe beach offers brilliant views of the Twelve Apostles, part of Table Mountain, and Lion\u2019s 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.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nIts status as one of Cape Town\u2019s 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.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nJust 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\u2019s particularly popular with surfers because strong wind gusts create excellent waves.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nGlen Beach is flanked by boulders and sand dunes which means it\u2019s protected from the strong winds typical of Cape Town\u2019s coast. The sea itself is susceptible to powerful currents which means it\u2019s not good for swimming but perfect for surfing. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nIf you\u2019re looking for a quiet and picturesque beach for sunbathing, reading, and relaxing, Glen Beach is it.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nThere are public toilets in Glen Beach and a few bars, cafes, and restaurants nearby. You\u2019ll also find vendors selling ice cream and refreshments.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Photo Credit: Moobatto<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Queens Beach<\/a> is situated in the Sea Point<\/a> 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \nBring 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. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nSurfers can also enjoy the surf break here which is called \u201cbig and mushy\u201d by locals.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nToilets are available at Queens Beach but you\u2019ll 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.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Photo Credit: vwPix<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bakoven<\/a> 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\u2019s Head and the Twelve Apostles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \nMost visitors to Beta Beach are Bakoven locals relaxing on the sand or having fun in the bay\u2019s still water which is ideal for snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, and swimming. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nKeep in mind that there aren\u2019t facilities for hiring water sports equipment so you\u2019ll 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.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nYou can find parking and toilets at Bakoven, but other amenities are limited in this small, peaceful village.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Photo Credit: Simphiwe Mahlangu<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Oudekraal Beach<\/a> 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \nThe 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\u2019re feeling brave the turquoise water is crystal clear along this stretch of beach, making it perfect for snorkeling, scuba diving, and freediving. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nLocals flock to the beach for what\u2019s known in South Africa as \u201ca fire and a braai\u201d (barbecue). Expect a lively, family-friendly atmosphere rather than peace and quiet.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Due to its location in Table Mountain National Park<\/a>, there\u2019s an entrance fee for Oudekraal Beach. Given that, you can always go for a quick hike<\/a> before cooling down in the waves or relaxing in the sun. You\u2019ll find a small parking area, toilets, and BBQ facilities that include picnic tables. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Photo Credit: Anna K Mueller<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Just over 12 miles south of Cape Town lies lively Llandudno Beach<\/a>. It is deemed one of the best beaches for locals who want to escape the crowds of Clifton Beaches and Camps Bay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \nLlandudno 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.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nThere\u2019s 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.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Photo Credit: Four Oaks<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Just down the coast from Llandudno is Sandy Bay<\/a>, Cape Town\u2019s only nudist beach. With white sands, deep turquoise waters, and huge, rugged slabs of granite, it has a wild, unspoiled atmosphere. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \nSandy 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. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nThe 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.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nThere are no amenities at all at Sandy Bay so bring food and drinks if you plan to stay a while.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Photo Credit: Quality Master<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Hout Bay<\/a> is worth a visit for the fantastic views en route. It lies 10.5 miles from Cape Town and is accessed via Chapman\u2019s Peak Drive which offers spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and Chapman\u2019s Peak itself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \nHout 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. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nCheck out Hout Bay Harbour to explore the craft market which is incredibly popular.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nPublic toilets are available and there are plenty of restaurants and cafes in Hout Bay. There aren\u2019t facilities for hiring umbrellas or chairs and there\u2019s very little shade available so bring your own.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Photo Credit: Quality Master<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bloubergstrand<\/a>, or Blouberg as it\u2019s 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\u2019s Head. Its windy waters are ideal for kitesurfing and other water sports. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \nThere are two main beaches to choose from in Bloubergstrand. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nBlouberg is a busy area with plenty of amenities, including toilets, lots of places for parking, and many shops, cafes, and restaurants.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Photo Credit: Arnold.Petersen<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n \nAnother one of South Africa\u2019s Blue Flag beaches, Muizenberg, is situated on Cape Town\u2019s 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.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nMuizenberg beach is a family-friendly destination with a safe, clean, and extensive beach. Its waves aren\u2019t too strong, which makes it a great location for beginner surfers and young swimmers. One of Muizenberg\u2019s iconic features is its bright and colorful beach huts which offer a brilliant backdrop for photos.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nYou\u2019ll 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\u2019s easy to find surfing lessons.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Photo Credit: Kabelo Selekolo<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n St. James Beach<\/a> is a 15-minute walk from Kalk Bay<\/a> on the False Bay seafront. It\u2019s a small beach that offers shelter from the wind and relatively calm waters for a peaceful day out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \nA 30-minute drive from Cape Town, Kalk Bay is a small and pretty seaside town that\u2019s 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.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nThere are shops, cafes, restaurants, and toilets dotted around Kalk Bay and not too far from St. James Beach.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Photo Credit: Arkadij Schell<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The beach in Fish Hoek<\/a> 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \nThe 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. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nThe northern end <\/strong>of the beach is quieter and wilder, and local fishermen use it to tend to their equipment. The southern end<\/strong> is more developed and ideal for families. Take a stroll along Jager\u2019s Walk to see fantastic views of whales from June to November.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nFish Hoek has 600 parking spots, toilets, and lots of places to eat and buy snacks. Children\u2019s play areas can be found at the southern end of the beach.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Photo Credit: Sunshine Seeds<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Glencairn<\/a> is situated on the western shore of False Bay, 2.5 miles north of Simon\u2019s Town. Its beach is brilliant for swimming but the surrounding area also offers lots of walkways and footpaths to explore. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \nA 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.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nThere\u2019s plenty of parking along the beach in Glencairn and there\u2019s also a train station. Shark spotters and lifeguards help to keep everyone safe, and there are plenty of toilets, cafes, restaurants, and shops.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Photo Credit: Pocholo Calapre<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Boulders Beach<\/a>, close to the village of Simon\u2019s Town and with Cape Point Nature Reserve nearby, is home to a large colony of African Penguins. It\u2019s easily one of the best places to visit in Cape Town<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \nKids 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.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nBetween 2,000 and 3,000 African Penguins inhabit Boulders Beach and it\u2019s 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. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nThe 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.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nBoardwalks at Boulders Beach are wheelchair-friendly. Toilets and outdoor showers are available.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat to Expect<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Mouille Point Beach<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Camps Bay Beach<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Glen Beach<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Queens Beach at Sea Point<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Beta Beach at Bakoven<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Beta](\"https:\/\/www.rentbyowner.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Bakoven.jpg\")
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Oudekraal Beach<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Oudekraal](\"https:\/\/www.rentbyowner.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Oudekraal-Beach-cape-town.jpg\")
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Llandudno Beach<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Sandy Bay<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Hout Bay Beach<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Blouberg<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Muizenberg Beach<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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St. James Beach<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Fish Hoek Beach<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Glencairn Beach<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Boulders Beach<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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