Cape Town, located on a peninsula, is surrounded by beautiful beaches. These beaches not only have long stretches of white-gold sand, but they also have a stunning natural backdrop of towering mountains and cliffs. The Beaches in Cape Town are without a doubt some of the best in South Africa, but even if the water sparkles a brilliant aquamarine and turquoise in spots, don’t expect it to be warm.
The beaches along the Atlantic Coast, including the well-known Camps Bay and Clifton Beaches, are never warm because the current here originates in Antarctica. However, people flock to them for sunbathing, walking, or quick toe dips in the frigid sea. There is good surf nearby, but you’ll need a full body wetsuit all year.
The water is slightly warmer on the False Bay side of the peninsula, and people swim and surf, though they are often still wearing full body suits. Even though these aren’t the kinds of beaches where you can spend hours floating around in the sea, they are some of the most beautiful in the world and well worth a visit. Discover more with our guide to the best beaches in Cape Town.
1. Beaches of Clifton
Clifton’s beaches are the most tony and trendy in Cape Town, with four absolutely gorgeous white-sand beaches backed by smooth granite boulders known as the Twelve Apostles. Some of the most expensive real estate in the city overlooks these beaches, which are reached via steep sets of stairs from the main road about six kilometres from the city centre. Each is set in its own cove and shielded from the wind by massive boulders, making it ideal for sunbathing.
Each beach has its own distinct vibe and is named after the order in which they are encountered when travelling from Cape Town. If you want some peace and quiet, go to First Beach. It is usually less congested. If you’re travelling with a dog, it’s also off-leash friendly. Under the right conditions, this beach has good surf and attracts bodyboarders on hot summer days.
Second Beach is popular with younger people and has a thriving summer volleyball scene.
Third Beach is Clifton’s gay beach, but it is open to all. The beach is frequently less crowded than others and has a lively atmosphere.
Fourth Beach is the largest and most fashionable of the Clifton beaches, attracting a diverse range of visitors including families, groups of friends, and couples. It also has the coveted Blue Flag status, which is given to places that have clean water, are safe, and have good environmental management. It also has views of Lion’s Head, Cape Town’s second most famous peak.
2. Beaches in Cape Town | Bay of Camps
Camps Bay is competing with Clifton for the title of best beach in Cape Town. The only reason we ranked it second is because Clifton provides a little more protection from Cape Town’s notorious wind. Camps Bay, which is just around the corner from Clifton, is also a Blue Flag beach.
The beach is long and wide, and it is easy to get to; however, parking can be difficult on summer weekends when it gets very crowded; instead, take public transportation or an Uber to avoid having to worry about finding a parking spot. It’s right across the street from a slew of restaurants and cafés, making it easy to grab a bite to eat in between sunbathing sessions. The Twelve Apostles and Lion’s Head can also be seen from Camps Bay.
South Beach Camps Bay is a great place to stay in Camps Bay. The opulent boutique hotel is one of our top picks in South Africa. Its 19 suites, which all face the sea and have balconies or private patio areas, are inspired by the Miami art scene and feature contemporary white-on-white decor. They also have fully equipped kitchens, including refrigerators that are stocked with breakfast items on a daily basis (included in the rate).
Other benefits of staying at South Beach include two swimming pools, an on-site gym, and complimentary bicycles. Check out the art throughout the property. Lionel Smit, a well-known South African artist, created it all.
3. Beaches in Cape Town | Bakoven’s Beta Beach
Beta Beach at Bakoven is about a kilometre down the road from Camps Bay and has calm blue seas set against white sand – the water here is usually wave-free, but it is still on the Atlantic coastline, so expect it to be mind-numbingly chilly.
Locals love this beach because of the breathtaking views of Lion’s Head, and it’s frequently used for photo shoots. The sunsets at Beta Beach are also worth seeing. Most nights, the sun appears to set right into the ocean in front of you, creating a fiery tableau of shifting colours. If you want to explore these places or do any fun activities you can book a South Africa trip or stay in a South Africa safari lodge. Live your best life today.
4. Beaches in Cape Town | Llandudno
Llandudno Beach, about 20 kilometres south of Cape Town on the way to Hout Bay, is where locals go to avoid the crowds at Clifton and Camps Bay. It is a favourite for beach picnics, sunbathing, and, if you can brave the cold Atlantic temperatures, body boarding and surfing. It is located down a narrow windy road off the highway in a ritzy hillside neighbourhood.
Its westerly location, like that of other Atlantic Coast beaches, means it gets stunning nightly sunsets.
Because there are no restaurants or shops nearby, you’ll need to bring everything you need for the day, including chairs, umbrellas, and snacks. The beach itself is large and set in a cove with soft sand ideal for building sandcastles. Llandudno is a popular destination for families, groups of friends, and couples. It can get crowded on summer weekends, so get there early for a good spot.
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5. Boulders Beach Penguins
If you like penguins, go to Boulders Beach. This beach, located approximately 40 kilometres south of Cape . Town near the charming village of Simon’s Town on the way to the Cape Point Nature Reserve. Is home to a large colony of endangered African penguins. The beach is located on the False Bay coastline between large granite boulders, so the water is slightly warmer here if you want to swim.
The penguins are a lot of fun to watch as they strut between the sand and the sea. Although they are adorable, keep in mind that they are wild animals. And getting too close to one for a selfie is probably not the best idea.
6. Beaches in Cape Town | Muizenberg Beach’s
Muizenberg, one of the best surf beaches in Cape Town. Is on the False Bay side (about 25 kilometres from downtown), so the water is slightly warmer. The waves at this Blue Flag beach are relatively gentle and ideal for beginning surfers. And there are several companies in the town behind the beach that offer surf lessons as well as board and wetsuit rentals. Muizenberg is also popular with families, and in the summer, life guards patrol a portion of the beach.
If you’ve ever seen photos of brightly coloured huts on a South African beach, you’ve seen Muizenberg. Bathing boxes are relics from the Victorian era, when women used them to change into chin-to-ankle bathing suits in private. They are now popular for Instagram photos and have appeared in a number of commercial shoots.
If you want to spend the night in Muizenberg. The Muize is a family-run bed and breakfast just a short walk from the beach. The rooms are spotless and comfortable, with large windows and wood floors. It also serves a delicious breakfast in the morning.
7. Blouberg Beach
Blouberg, located on the Atlantic coast about 20 kilometres north of Cape Town’s city centre. This has several beaches, including Dolphin Beach, Small Bay, and Big Bay. If you enjoy kitesurfing, Big Bay is one of the best spots in the world for the sport. Every year, the beach hosts an international kitesurfing competition.
Small Bay is the place to go if you want to avoid crowds. It is popular with families, and children will enjoy building sandcastles in the soft sand.
This area is also ideal for photographing one of Cape Town’s most famous attractions, Table Mountain. The city is built around a 6,000-foot-high table-shaped mountain in the centre, and the view from Blouberg is unobstructed. The west coast location is also ideal for photographing the sun setting into the ocean.
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