There’s nothing like a good beach to transport you to the true realm of holiday relaxation, and Cape Town is one of those beautifully balanced destinations that can offer both active pursuits and languid leisure time in equal measure. With coastlines fringed by frothy surf, buzzing city beaches and windswept spots, there’s a slice of sandy paradise for everyone in South Africa. Be prepared for colder water and strong currents on the majority of Cape Town’s beaches, yet their rugged beauty and resident wildlife more than make up for this. Spot penguins on Boulders Beach, horse ride along Noordhoek Beach or learn how to surf in the (slightly) warmer swells of Muizenberg Beach. Read on for our list of the best beaches in Cape Town.
- Clifton Beaches
- Camps Bay
- Boulders Beach
- Llandudno Beach
- Muizenberg Beach
- St James Beach
- Noordhoek Beach
- Hout Bay
Clifton Beaches
A favourite stretch of sand among locals and tourists alike, Clifton’s beaches are located in one of the city’s most sought-after suburbs. They are comprised of four separate beach coves, divided by large boulders which provide some shelter from Cape Town’s infamous wind (making them good sunbathing spots). Each beach possesses its own distinct personality; first beach is usually the least crowded, second beach caters to a younger crowd, third beach is Clifton's gay beach (but is open to everyone), while fourth beach is the largest and tends to attract families. The popularity of all the coves can make parking hard to find and you do have to pay to access the beaches, but their quintessential golden sand and turquoise ocean mean they couldn’t be left off our list of the best beaches in Cape Town.
Camps Bay
Situated down the road from Clifton, you’ll find the crescent-shaped Camps Bay, perhaps the most well-known beach along Cape Town’s coast. Fringed with palm-trees, the powder-like sand is occupied by people playing volleyball, dog-walking, or simply soaking up the sunshine. The buzzing beach also boasts dramatic views of the Twelve Apostles peaks (part of Table Mountain), yet with this undeniably beautiful backdrop comes great popularity and the beach does get very busy, especially during peak summer season (December and January).
Boulders Beach
If birdlife takes precedence over sunbathing on your list of ideal beach attributes, then Boulders Beach fits the bill perfectly. Home to a large colony of African penguins, the beach’s wooden walkways allow you to observe these cute creatures from a safe distance and see them wandering around their natural habitat.
Llandudno Beach
Further along the coast, tucked away from Cape Town, Llandudno Beach is frequented by savvy locals who know where to go to avoid the crowds at Camps Bay and Clifton. The waves here are strong (as well as ice cold) so they’re best suited to seasoned surfers, while the silky sand lends itself to sandcastle building. This is a good place for a sunset beach picnic, although the under-the-radar nature of the beach means that you’ll need to come equipped with all your own gear, including food.
Muizenberg Beach
Beginner surfers can learn how to master the waves at Muizenberg Beach, which is blessed with tamer waves and slightly warmer waters thanks to its position on the False Bay side of the peninsula. Alongside the line-up of crayon-coloured Victorian bathing boxes, there are a number of surf companies and places to rent wetsuits, making Muizenberg something of a surfer’s corner. A portion of the beach is patrolled by lifeguards during the summer, meaning that this is also a good family-friendly choice.
St James Beach
Sheltered from the wind on the False Bay seafront, St James Beach is another spot fortunate enough to have warmer waters, making it suitable for swimming. Families tend to flock here for the shallow rock pools, which are perfect for paddling in, while snap-worthy multi-coloured beach huts (similar Muizenberg’s) line the waterfront.
Noordhoek Beach
A seemingly endless stretch of pearly white sand gently lapped by aquamarine waves, Noordhoek Beach is up there as one of the most picturesque spots on our list of the best beaches in Cape Town. Unfortunately, the less desirable sea temperature discounts it for swimmers, yet the flat expanse of sand is wonderful for walking along, and if you want to give your legs a break it’s also possible to horse ride here. Galloping along the unspoiled beachscape is a truly magical experience.
Hout Bay
Another favourite with families, Hout Bay beach sits between the towering cliffs of Chapman's Peak and the charming Hout Bay Harbour. Complete with flour-soft sand dunes, the beach is a jack-of-all-trades, offering surfing, swimming, kayaking and sporting activities including beach football, cricket and volleyball. Seal island boat trips depart from the harbour and the nearby town of Hout Bay promises world-class dining options for refuelling after a day spent in the sun.
Written by Luisa Watts
