Cape Town is known to offer some of the best beaches in the world with soft sand and crystal clear waters providing sun-lovers the ideal conditions for relaxing and soaking up the sunshine. The various beaches in Cape Town offer very different experiences. The False Bay coastline is quiet and laid back with warmer waters making it ideal for families with small children.

Colourful beach cottages are the landmark of this area.

Colourful beach cottages and tidal pools are the landmark of this area and there are usually life guards on duty for your safety. Muizenberg has a sleepy sea-side town atmosphere with a long sandy beach, a putt-putt mini golf course and waterslides. Between Muizenberg and Fish Hoek there are a couple of smaller beaches and tidal pools including St James.

For something a little different, visitors and locals can head to Boulders Beach where families of African Penguins can be found playing in the waves or under the wooden walkways.

Cape Town beaches1

Further along the coast past the Cape Point nature reserve one will find the long thin stretch of beach known as Noordhoek beach. Kommetjie beach and Noordhoek beach are both very popular for horse riding and surfing. Heading over the magnificent Chapman’s Peak drive one will arrive in the small fishing town of Hout Bay with its short stretch of beach, traditional harbour and many restaurants. Hout Bay is a popular beach for paddle skiers and surfers.

Cape Town beaches2

By far the most popular beaches in Cape Town are Camps Bay, Clifton and Llandudno all of which offer stunning views, clean sandy beaches and perfect sunsets. The water on this side of the coastline is very cold but perfect for a quick refreshing splash on a baking hot summer’s day. Clifton is a blue-flag beach and its four coves are very popular, especially on days when the south-easter is blowing, as the coves offer shelter from the wind. Camps Bay’s main road runs right alongside the beachfront and is lined with cafes, restaurants and bars which offer a perfect place to escape from the heat of the day, or to party the night away. Blouberg’s beaches with their magnificent views of Table Mountain across the bay are known to be fairly windy and attract large numbers of water sport enthusiasts.

Blouberg’s beaches with their magnificent views of Table Mountain across the bay.

Furthest on the Cape’s coast, approximately 45 minutes outside of Cape Town, one will find the beaches of the Helderberg region; Strand, Gordon’s Bay and Bikini Beach. This stretch of coastline offers spectacular views across False Bay with the Peninsula in the distance. Strand offers a long stretch of sandy beach with safe and shallow waters ideal for children. Gordon’s Bay is set in a sheltered bay and offers rock pools to explore and a promenade for walks. Cafe’s, restaurants and ice cream parlours are readily available along the adjacent beachside road. The sandy, white Bikini Beach is sheltered and popular for sunbathing.